I had the opportunity to talk about this topic with my friend the other day, and based on my own judgement - by considering accolades, overall performance, and significance to their respective teams - I'll try to make a shortlist of the best footballers in the world at the moment - in descending order.
10. Virgil van Dijk
2024-2025 was a season which saw van Dijk becoming the first Dutch footballer to captained a Premier League team towards victory. A very charismatic and elegant defender, van Dijk was arguably back to his best during the course of the season, showed commanding presence in the heart of a Liverpool team which looked like a title contender right from the start of the season. There might only be a few forwards in the world who's capable of challenging the Dutchman in one-on-one situation.
9. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Certainly wasn't the best in terms of raw output, but Kvaratskhelia is a player who always ready to give everything for the team. The highlight of his season was when he tracked back Denzel Dumfries during the Champions League Final - deep into the later stages of the game, where he already scored a goal to make his team extended the lead by four goals. A tremendous show of commitment and mentality from a player who had a silky touches on the ball. He also has a habit of delivering in crucial moments and big games, which further cemented him as one of the best winger in todays game. He's quite possibly one of the most talented footballer out of this list - and that in itself is a big recognition of his quality.
8. Michael Olise
A surprise entry of the list, Olise has always been an immensely talented footballer. But his first season in Bundesliga saw him becoming a true household name. Olise has trickery and intelligence required to succeed in top flight competitions, and his dynamism led many to believe that he's now a better player than Musiala - something incredible considering the magnitude of Musiala's talent.
7. Pedri
Barcelona's failure of reaching the Champions League Final made him just fall short of becoming the highest ranked midfielder on this list. But there's nothing that could deny Pedri's ability and influence on the pitch. His vision to spot movements and choosing the right decision was integral to Barcelona's flow during the game. He also has a tireless attitude and made himself always available whenever his team needed his service. Put simply he's arguably the most important piece of the exciting Barcelona's team.
6. Vitinha
Arguably the best midfielder in the world at the moment, Vitinha is an archetype of a modern playmaker capable of dictating the play and instigating attack from the middle of the pitch. Always in action and ready to deliver, Vitinha showed unerring composure which was instrumental to maintain the balance of PSG's team which full of players who loves going forward. He soothes calmness when the pressure is on, and provides creativity when the game is at a halt. An incredible emergence from a footballer who seems to lost his way only a few years prior in the Premier League.
5. Raphinha
It's worth to remember that only a year ago Raphinha was considered lost, struggling with consistency, and on course to be loaded off from the Barcelona squad. Now, he's considered one of the best player in the world, and would likely be included into Ballon d'Or shortlist. Raphinha always has the quality, though goes along with a bit of rawness to it.
Under the guidance of Hansi Flick, he was given the free role, which impacted his game massively. His ability to devour space with his explosive movement is a key to Barcelona's attack, as he's available to received through balls from the likes of Yamal, Pedri, and de Jong. Raphinha is also becoming a real competitor, always working hard and putting pressure to defenses which perfectly fit with the high pressing system implemented by Hansi Flick. Nobody contributed to more goals/assist during the course of 24/25 Champions League season. If only Barcelona managed to get their hands on the UCL trophy, Raphinha might be ranked much higher on this list - and most certainly becoming a serious Ballon d'Or contender.
4. Mohamed Salah
The evergreen Mo Salah, which was so good over the course of last season and led many to believe that he's the best player in the world - before the game against PSG ruined that narrative. Salah looked dysfunctional against the strong and energetic Nuno Mendes, and failed to make significant impact during both legs against the eventual champion. But in the Premier League he's simply unstoppable, still breaking records and contributed to more than 70 percent of his team's goals - an unthinkable achievement for a guy who turns 33 this year.
3. Lamine Yamal
The best teenager ever? Quite rightly so. Nobody has ever display such maturity on the ball at 17 years old like Yamal. Even now he already has the technique, decision making, and physicality belongs to a veteran players. How such a young player acquired this wonderful skillset is almost incomprehensible. Yet the scariest part is - and something that a lot of people agree on - is a certainty that he'll get even better in the future.
We're talking about a once in a lifetime talent here, the one who has the possibility to eclipsed even Messi in the future - yeah you heard that right. He has ceiling so unimaginably high, it's almost frightening. Lets just hope he maintained his professionalism along the way and stayed focus on football. He might not have the prolific goal scoring instinct like his predecessor - at least for now - But everything is achievable with his talent. Now everything depends on what he wants for the future, because the world is already at his feet.
2. Ousmane Dembele
He's the closest player to the Ballon d'Or award right now, though for me doesn't have the quality to be regarded as the best in the world. As good as Dembele is and how unplayable he is when in form, the No. 1 player on this list has the better ability overall as an attacker which is hard to overlooked. But Dembele is no joke of a player, especially during the 24/25 season.
The thing about Dembele is that he's becoming so unselfish - an ability which made him a better fit for Enrique's PSG. After given the opportunity to roam through the middle, Dembele improved his decision making to a whole other level - an aspect which were missing from his development so far - and made a significant returns of goals and assist, especially after the turn of the year. For a period of 4-5 months towards the end of the season he consistently made goals and assists which helps his team advanced through the knockout stages of Champions League. Only a few players on this list has the same kind of influence to their team. But this is not enough for me to grant him the top spot, because as a player he simply doesn't have the extra edge that the No. 1 player had.
1. Kylian Mbappe
The best in the world? You bet he is. The tragic thing is that the UCL trophy still eluded Mbappe, who after a brilliant first season in Madrid, established himself as the best in the world - for me at least. No player has wider array of skills and attacking qualities in my opinion, and despite other players on this list has better accolades this year, nobody comes close to Mbappe in terms of pure quality. He's simply brilliant.
