As 2025 draws to a close, it’s time to reflect on a memorable year in soccer and identify the players who stood above the rest. Narrowing the list to just 10 from a deep pool of elite talent is no easy task, as it requires striking a balance between individual performance, impact on team success, and consistency throughout the year. Here are the 10 best soccer players of 2025.
#10 Lionel Messi (Inter Miami and Argentina)
Undoubtedly one of the greatest players of all time, Lionel Messi, even at the age of 38, has been weaving his magic and stamping his class and authority for Inter Miami in 2025.
The standout player in MLS this year and the winner of the MLS MVP award, Messi captained Miami to their first league title as they beat Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 to claim the MLS Cup in 2025.
The Argentine superstar was in fine form, recording an incredible 63 goal involvements in 34 MLS regular season and playoff games (35 goals and 28 assists). An inspirational figure for his teammates both with club and country, Messi will now turn his attention towards the Argentina national team and the FIFA World Cup, scheduled to be held in the US, Mexico, and Canada in 2026.
#9 Achraf Hakimi (PSG and Morocco)
Achraf Hakimi has had a stunning year for both club and country. Winner of the African Footballer of the Year award and finishing sixth in the Ballon d’Or standings, Hakimi has redefined the role of an attacking right-back in the last few months.
Quick, dynamic, and always a threat to opposition defenders, Hakimi has been one of the major factors in the success experienced by both PSG and Morocco in the last 12 months. The 27-year-old seemed to bring out his best during the most significant occasions and also grabbed the opening goal in the 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final.
With Morocco being one of the favorites for the AFCON title, Hakimi will be determined to lead his nation to continental glory and add another major trophy to his already glittering career.
#8 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool and Egypt)
While Salah has not been at his best for Liverpool in the last few months, there is no discounting the fact that the ‘Egyptian King’ was one of the best players in world football last season and for the first six months in 2025.
One of the primary reasons (if not the most important reason) for Liverpool winning the Premier League title in style in 2025 was that Salah not only won the Premier League Golden Boot award but also won the Playmaker of the Season award, scoring 29 goals and contributing 18 assists.
Having signed a new lucrative contract with Liverpool at the end of last season, this season has not gone entirely according to plan. The 33-year-old, however, has an uncanny knack for proving his critics wrong all the time and will be determined to get back to his clinical best sooner rather than later.
Just like Hakimi, Salah will also be looking to captain his side to continental glory in AFCON 2025.
#7 Raphinha (Barcelona and Brazil)
Barcelona and Brazilian forward Raphinha have been in fine form over the past 12 months, delivering some decisive and eye-catching attacking performances for the Catalan side. Having had a breakthrough season under Hansi Flick in 2024-25, the forward has continued where he left off in this season as well and has already managed to score seven goals and provide two assists in his 11 La Liga appearances so far.
Finishing in the 5th position in the 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings, Raphinha, along with Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski, has formed a dangerous and prolific attacking trio for Barcelona.
With the FIFA World Cup approaching next year, Raphinha will aim to replicate his club performances for his country and shine on the global stage under Carlo Ancelotti’s guidance for Brazil.
#6 Erling Haaland (Manchester City and Norway)
One of the greatest goal scorers in the modern game, Erling Haaland, has taken his game to new heights in the last few months. Having finished in 26th position in the 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings, the Norwegian superstar is all set to challenge for the very top spot this time around if his goalscoring form is anything to go by.
At the time of writing, the 25-year-old has scored 19 goals in 17 Premier League games and is comfortably leading the race for the Premier League Golden Boot this season. Haaland also played a starring role in Norway’s FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, scoring an incredible 16 goals in 8 games, which included a truly remarkable five-goal performance against Moldova.
With Manchester City slowly returning to their best and Norway looking strong too, Haaland appears set to dominate world football in 2026.
Also read: Ballon d’Or 2026: Ranking the Top 5 Favorites – December 2025
#5 Harry Kane (Bayern Munich and England)
2025 was a historic year for Harry Kane as he finally won a major trophy in his career by winning the Bundesliga last season with Bayern Munich. The England captain also won the Bundesliga top scorer award, scoring 26 goals in 31 League games.
It is, however, in the last six months that Kane has truly elevated his game. The 32-year-old striker has been in scintillating form for both club and country and has already scored 30 goals for Bayern Munich this season while contributing eight goals in eight games for England in their flawless FIFA World Cup qualification campaign.
Both Bayern Munich and England are looking strong, and Kane will be hoping to continue his good form and challenge for the Ballon d’Or award in 2026.
#4 Vitinha (PSG and Portugal)
Arguably the best midfielder in world football at the moment, Vitinha might not grab all the headlines but is undoubtedly one of the first names on the team sheet for both PSG and Portugal.
A complete midfielder capable of breaking opposition play and setting up attacks with equal ease, Vitinha played a pivotal role in PSG dominating the midfield battle in the UEFA Champions League last season.
Still only 25, the tireless Portuguese star is reaching the peak of his game, and it will be interesting to see how he will build upon an incredible last 12 months in 2026. Vitinha’s form and fitness will be crucial for Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal’s chances of winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Also read: Ranking the Top 5 Favorites to Win the 2026 FIFA World Cup
#3 Ousmane Dembele (PSG and France)
Ousmane Dembele finally lived up to his incredible potential and lit the soccer world alight with his brilliant performances in 2025. The French superstar was the standout performer for PSG in their treble-winning campaign, with his speed, trickery, and goal-scoring skills playing a significant role in their success.
The Frenchman even won the Ballon d’Or and the FIFA The Best Men’s Player of the Year Award in 2025, truly cementing his legacy as one of the best forwards of this generation.
Dembele would have been even higher on this list had he not suffered some injury problems in the last 3 months. The 28-year-old has had only three starts in Ligue 1 this season and will be looking to build his form and fitness in the coming few weeks.
#2 Lamine Yamal (Barcelona and Spain)
Still only 18 and already one of the best players in the world, Lamine Yamal had a stunning 2025 where he truly cemented his stature as a genuine world-class soccer superstar.
Barcelona won the domestic treble in 2025, and Yamal, along with Raphinha and Pedri, were the star performers for Hansi Flick’s side. Blessed with attacking flair, dribbling, vision, and an elite passing ability, Yamal also possesses supreme confidence in his own skills, which enables him to play fearlessly on the biggest stages.
Having narrowly missed out on the 2025 Ballon d’Or award to Ousmane Dembele, Yamal will be keen to go one step further in 2026. Additionally, having already won Euro 2024 with Spain, the 18-year-old youngster will now aim to add the 2026 FIFA World Cup title to his laurels as well.
#1 Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid and France)
Kylian Mbappe has long been touted as a future Ballon d’Or winner, and 2026 could be the year he finally claims the Golden Ball. One of the most complete forwards in soccer at the moment, Mbappe has been in stunning form for Real Madrid and equaled Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of scoring 59 goals in a single calendar year for Los Blancos in 2025.
Having had a relatively slow start to his Real Madrid career, Mbappe has well and truly embraced the role of being the superstar in a team full of stars and is now showing why 15-time European champs went all out to secure his services.
Blessed with explosive pace and brilliant finishing skills, the 27-year-old can score goals out of nothing and is often the decisive factor for both club and country in tight matches.
The Frenchman takes the spot in our list of the top 10 soccer players of 2025.
