50 best football players in the world ahead of the start of the 2015/16 season.
An attempt at narrowing down a list of the top 50 best football players in the world ahead of the new season, with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo competing for top spot again…
50) Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund)
With 25 goals last season, pacey Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is a superb talent who could one day earn a move to a bigger club.
49) Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool)
A joy to watch at his best, Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho is one of the finest attacking players in the Premier League at the moment, and just needs more consistency to his game.
48) Nemanja Matic (Chelsea)
One of the best defensive midfield specialists in the game, Chelsea star Nemanja Matic is undoubtedly among the top 50 in the world right now.
47) Jackson Martinez (Atletico Madrid)
After some truly prolific form at Porto, Jackson Martinez has now moved to Atletico Madrid and looks a good bet to continue his fine form as among the best finishers in Europe.
46) Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli)
Another top class striker with a great record, Argentine ace Gonzalo Higuain could certainly be at a bigger club than Napoli.
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45) Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus)
Still one of the finest goalkeepers in the game, Juventus star Gianluigi Buffon makes this list for an outstanding career for club and country.
44) Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid)
A rock solid centre-back who’s shown himself to be a big-game player for Atletico Madrid and Uruguay in recent years.
43) Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
Another of the world’s best defenders, Real Madrid star Sergio Ramos makes it into our list after an immense career for club and country, winning all there is to win in the game.
42) Pedro (Barcelona)
Possibly on his way to Manchester United, Barcelona winger Pedro is another top class Spaniard who has enjoyed a trophy-laden career in recent times.
41) Juan Mata (Manchester United)
Consistently one of the best attacking midfielders in the Premier League, Manchester United’s Juan Mata is another of the best football players on the planet.
40) Santi Cazorla (Arsenal)
A player with a new lease of life last season, Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla works his way onto this list after some truly magical midfield performances.
39) Yaya Toure (Manchester City)
A powerhouse at his best, and a player who’d be higher on this list if not for a slight dip last season, Manchester City’s Yaya Toure is one of the finest of his generation.
38) Sergio Busquets (Barcelona)
A true defensive midfielder, Sergio Busquets does his job perfectly in this Barcelona team, and is one of the most underrated footballers around at the moment.
37) Marco Verratti (PSG)
A classy passer of the ball with great intelligence, PSG midfielder Marco Verratti has his best years ahead of him and looks like becoming a real great.
36) John Terry (Chelsea)
Still a world class central defender, Chelsea captain John Terry showed how much he has to offer last season, playing every minute for the Blues as they lifted the title.
35) Koke (Atletico Madrid)
A superb young midfielder who has been a creative force in La Liga, Atletico Madrid’s Koke looks like becoming one of the very best football players in the world.
34) Arturo Vidal (Bayern Munich)
Moving from Juventus to Bayern Munich this summer, it is exciting to see how good Arturo Vidal can be in Pep Guardiola’s dominant side.
33) Dani Alves (Barcelona)
One of the finest right-backs of modern times, Dani Alves has been immense for Barcelona, and him staying at the club should be a huge boost.
32) Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea)
Exceptional for his age, Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is already up there with the best in the world in his position.
31) Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid)
A winger with an incredible goalscoring record in recent seasons, Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann is sure to play for a bigger club before long after links with Chelsea this summer.
30) Kevin De Bruyne (Wolfsburg)
Possibly worth as much as £60m and linked with Manchester City, Wolfsburg’s Kevin De Bruyne had an amazing season last year and looks one of Europe’s best creative players.
29) Andres Iniesta (Barcelona)
A legend of the game edging past his peak, Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta is still a little genius in the middle of the park.
28) Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon)
Emerging as one of the most prolific strikers in Europe, Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette has been linked with various top clubs this summer.
27) Thiago Silva (PSG)
A great defender and captain for PSG and Brazil, Thiago Silva is certainly a contender for the best player in the world in his position.
26) Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
Many feel Wayne Rooney has not quite fulfilled his potential, but there’s no doubt the Manchester United and England captain can look back on a superb career full of goals, trophies and individual milestones.
25) David de Gea (Manchester United)
In sensational form last season, Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea looks set to move from Manchester United to Real Madrid, possibly becoming the most expensive ‘keeper of all time in the process.
24) Edinson Cavani (PSG)
A goal machine everywhere he’s been, PSG star Edinson Cavani certainly deserves a place in the top 25 footballers on the planet right now.
23) Isco (Real Madrid)
Long regarded as a huge prospect, Real Madrid playmaker Isco is showing his class in the Spanish giants’ midfield after a slow start.
22) Toni Kroos (Real Madrid)
Another immense Real Madrid player, Toni Kroos joined from Bayern Munich last summer and has looked the part after also inspiring his country to World Cup glory in 2014.
21) Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich)
A treble winner for Bayern Munich and World Cup winner for Germany, Philipp Lahm is a modern great at right-back, and has been described by Pep Guardiola as the most intelligent player he’s worked with.
20) Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)
At his best, there are few better passers in the world, and Mesut Ozil looks set to have his best season yet in an Arsenal shirt.
19) James Rodriguez (Real Madrid)
After an amazing World Cup for Colombia last summer, James Rodriguez has shown it wasn’t a flash in the pan with some stunning form for Real Madrid.
18) Zlatan Ibrahimovic (PSG)
One of the best players of his generation, PSG striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is slightly past his peak now, but capable of moments of pure brilliance.
17) Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
A lethal finisher and great team-player, Karim Benzema has been excellent in his career with Real Madrid and is now wanted by Arsenal in a club-record £45m move.
16) Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich)
Undoubtedly the best goalkeeper in the world right now, Bayern Munich star Manuel Neuer was up for Ballon d’Or earlier this year, an incredible achievement.
15) Diego Costa (Chelsea)
Injury prone, but undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with at his best. Chelsea’s Diego Costa combines power, accuracy and skill to be one of the game’s most dangerous centre-forwards.
14) Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea)
Long regarded as one of the best creative midfielders in the world, Cesc Fabregas has been superb since moving to Chelsea.
13) Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich)
Impossible to handle at his peak, Bayern Munich flyer Arjen Robben is an amazing dribbler with great pace and an eye for the odd spectacular goal.
12) Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
Consistently one of the best goalscorers in the world in recent years, Robert Lewandowski is yet another Bayern player on this list.
11) Gareth Bale (Real Madrid)
Unplayable at full throttle, Gareth Bale was not at his best last year but could climb these rankings after an impressive pre-season with Real Madrid.
10) Paul Pogba (Juventus)
Set to become a legend of the game, Juventus’ supremely talented young midfielder Paul Pogba already looks among the best players in the world.
9) Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
Sensational for Arsenal last season, Alexis Sanchez will surely make Barcelona regret selling him if he carries on playing like this.
8) Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund)
A player who can do almost everything, Borussia Dortmund star Marco Reus is valued at around £50m and it’s a miracle a bigger club haven’t snapped him up yet.
7) Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich)
A big-game player like few others in the world, Bayern Munich striker Thomas Muller has been extraordinary for club and country in recent years, helping to win all the biggest trophies.
6) Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
On fire for Chelsea last season, Eden Hazard won PFA Player of the Year after guiding the Blues to the title with some dazzling displays.
5) Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
Probably the best player in the Premier League at the moment, Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has amazing finishing ability and is his club’s best hope of success.
4) Luis Suarez (Barcelona)
Incredible for Liverpool and Barcelona in recent times, Luis Suarez has the raw ability to decide big games and helped Barca to the treble in his first year there.
3) Neymar (Barcelona)
Long regarded as the next big thing, Neymar is starting to show his class for Barcelona after a superbly prolific campaign last year, as well as an amazing scoring record for Brazil.
2) Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Only second despite another amazing season, Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo will be remembered as one of the best to ever play the game.
1) Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Absolutely out of this world, Barcelona forward Lionel Messi continues to set the standard with some unbelievable goalscoring and moments of quality, lighting up La Liga and Europe again last term with a key role in his club’s treble-winning season.
