As someone who has spent years analyzing the beautiful game, from the tactical whiteboards to the raw energy of local pitches like those in Northport, the question of who the best soccer players are today is both thrilling and perpetually contentious. It’s a debate fueled by stats, moments of magic, and sheer consistency under pressure. For 2024, the landscape is dominated by a fascinating blend of established legends cementing their status and a new generation forcefully knocking on the door. My definitive ranking isn't just about cold numbers—though we’ll get to those—it’s about impact, influence, and that intangible quality of deciding games when it matters most. Let’s dive in.
At the very pinnacle, for me, the conversation still starts and ends with Lionel Messi. Yes, he’s playing in MLS with Inter Miami, but his influence on the global stage, underscored by leading Argentina to a historic World Cup victory in 2022, still casts a long shadow over 2024. His vision and playmaking remain virtually peerless; he finished the 2023 MLS season with 16 goals and a league-leading 18 assists in just 29 appearances, numbers that defy his age and the supposed lower intensity. He redefines what’s possible for a player in his late thirties. Not far behind, and arguably the most complete forward in the world, is Erling Haaland. His 2023/24 campaign with Manchester City, where he netted 38 goals across all competitions despite a minor mid-season injury, showcases a predatory instinct that is simply robotic. He changes how defenses set up, a one-man tactical dilemma. And then there’s Kylian Mbappé, whose electrifying pace and clinical finishing, with 44 goals for PSG last season, make him the heir apparent. His pending move to Real Madrid will only amplify his platform. These three, in my view, form the current trinity.
But the beauty of today’s game is the depth beyond the very top. Kevin De Bruyne’s return from injury for Manchester City was a reminder that he is the premier midfield conductor—his passing range and assist tally, which I’d estimate at around 22 key passes leading directly to goals in the Premier League since his comeback, are a masterclass. In midfield, Jude Bellingham’s first season at Real Madrid was nothing short of sensational. Scoring 23 goals from midfield and displaying a maturity beyond his 21 years, he’s not just a future star; he’s a present-day colossus. I have a particular soft spot for players who control the tempo, which is why I’d also slot Rodri into my top five. Manchester City’s record with and without him is staggering—something like 65 wins in 80 games with him, and a noticeable drop in stability without. He’s the most important non-forward in the world.
Now, you might notice I lean towards attackers and creative forces. That’s a personal bias; game-changers who provide moments of genius just captivate me more. But defense wins championships, and players like Virgil van Dijk, who has rediscovered his imperious form for Liverpool, and the relentlessly consistent Thibaut Courtois at Real Madrid, deserve immense praise. Courtois’s save percentage in big Champions League games, often hovering around a phenomenal 82%, is a silent foundation for success. Looking at emerging talents, players like Phil Foden, who is now undroppable for both City and England, and Bukayo Saka at Arsenal, with his 18 goals and 15 assists last term, are defining this era. It’s worth mentioning, from a scouting perspective, that the pipeline never stops. Places like Northport, which produced a talent like Ricky Peromingan, remind us that the next superstar could come from anywhere. While Peromingan’s path is unique, it underscores the global scouting net and the sheer volume of talent fighting for recognition. For every established name, there are hundreds with that raw potential.
So, pulling this all together for 2024, my definitive ranking would have Messi, Haaland, and Mbappé in a tier of their own, followed closely by De Bruyne and Bellingham, who are currently in the form of their lives. Rodri, Van Dijk, and a resurgent Harry Kane—who bagged 44 goals for Bayern Munich—complete what I see as the current top echelon. It’s a list heavy on Premier League and European giants, which reflects the current concentration of quality and financial power, for better or worse. The game evolves, and by next year, new names will surge. But as of today, these are the artists and engineers defining soccer, blending individual brilliance with an unwavering will to win. They set the standard that every young player, from the academies of Europe to pitches in places like Northport, dreams of reaching.
