Soccer

Ranking the Top 25 Soccer Players in the World Right Now

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By @knackeredwriter

25 Best Players in the World

World's Best Soccer Players
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There are so many talented players in the world of soccer, but some stand out among the rest and come out on top. There are the players who are internationally recognized, but some also fall through the cracks. Here are the top 25 soccer players in the world.

25. Tim Cahill

Tim Cahill Best Soccer Players
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25. Tim Cahill

Tim Cahill Best Soccer Players
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Tim Cahill impressed MLS as soon as he joined the New York Redbulls. He is still talented at the international level, because Australia only made it into the World Cup because of him. Cahill enjoys scoring goals, and luckily he is very good at it.

24. James Rodriguez

James Rodriguez Best Soccer Players
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24. James Rodriguez

James Rodriguez Best Soccer Players
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James Rodriguez is a younger player, but he does not lack talent. He stepped up for Colombia when Radamel Falcao was out for injury, and he really made an impression in the World Cup. Real Madrid has picked up this talented player, and he will only get better. He will easily move up the ranks within the next year.

23. Angel Di Maria

Angel Di Maria Best Soccer Players
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23. Angel Di Maria

Angel Di Maria Best Soccer Players
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Argentina has more than one star, and while he may not be Leo Messi, Angel Di Maria is a talented winger for club and country. He is now with Manchester United, which can give him an opportunity to be in the spotlight.

22. Robbie Keane

Robbie Keane Best Soccer Players
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22. Robbie Keane

Robbie Keane Best Soccer Players
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Robbie Keane made his impression in the EPL before joining MLS and L.A. Galaxy. He continues to be one of the best players in the league and in the world. If Ireland could get into more tournaments, he would have more opportunities to show the world how fantastic he is.

21. Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema Best Soccer Players
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21. Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema Best Soccer Players
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Karim Benzema is a powerful French striker from which Real Madrid has reaped the benefits of. He may not be at the same level as Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi, but he is an absolutely talented player. He is definitely a top player in the world.

20. Diego Costa

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20. Diego Costa

Diego Costa Best Soccer Players
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Diego Costa had a successful season with Atletico Madrid and in La Liga. He caught everyone’s eye and is now a regular for Spain and a starter for Chelsea. His career at Chelsea has started off with a bang, and he may be the next Luis Saurez – without the biting.

19. Luis Suarez

Luis Suarez Best Soccer Players
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19. Luis Suarez

Luis Suarez Best Soccer Players
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Luis Suarez out-scored every player in the EPL last season, and now he is heading to FC Barcelona in hopes of getting even better. Uruguay is only successful when Suarez is able to play, and if he didn’t get in trouble for biting and handballs so often, he’d be ranked as a much better player.

18. Gareth Bale

Gareth Bale Best Soccer Players
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18. Gareth Bale

Gareth Bale Best Soccer Players
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Gareth Bale has become a star player for Real Madrid, which would normally be a challenge with a player like Cristiano Ronaldo on the team. Bale is a strong winger who is successful in any league, and he will only get better from here.

17. Steven Gerrard

Steven Gerrard Best Soccer Players
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17. Steven Gerrard

Steven Gerrard Best Soccer Players
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Steven Gerrard is the former English captain and is loyal to Liverpool since his youth. He is one of the best players England has ever seen, and has won numerous awards for his performance with Liverpool. He has the experience to know how to outwit opponents, which makes him vital to every team he is on.

16. Landon Donovan

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16. Landon Donovan

Landon Donovan Best Soccer Players
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Landon Donovan was forced into international retirement early, but he continued to thrive in club level. He was seen as being past his prime, but alongside the L.A. Galaxy, Donovan proved that his best years were not behind him. He is in the midst of breaking all MLS records (in his position) before retiring at the end of the season. He will go out as one of the best players of all time.

15. Xavi Hernandez

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15. Xavi Hernandez

Xavi Hernandez Best Soccer Players
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Xavi Hernandez was part of the failing Spanish team this summer, but he continues to be a brilliant player. He grew up playing with FC Barcelona, and he continues to be successful with the club and is even captain. He is skillful and quick, which is what top players are made of.

14. Thibaut Courtois

Thibaut Courtois Best Soccer Players
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14. Thibaut Courtois

Thibaut Courtois Best Soccer Players
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Thibaut Courtois signed with Chelsea in 2011, but it took him a while to become starting goalkeeper. After a successful year with Atletico Madrid, he had an even more impressive World Cup with Belgium. Not only is he one of the best goalkeepers in the world, but also one of the best players.

13. Radamel Falcao

Radamel Falcao Best Soccer Players
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13. Radamel Falcao

Radamel Falcao Best Soccer Players
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Radamel Falcao slowly became a powerful striker with the help of Atletico Madrid. He’s now at Manchester United and will probably be just as fruitful in the EPL because of his drive and skill. He is a fantastic player, and Colombia would have gone a lot farther if he were fit for the World Cup.

12. Miroslav Klose

Miroslav Klose Best Soccer Players
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12. Miroslav Klose

Miroslav Klose Best Soccer Players
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Miroslav Klose recently retired for Germany, which is bad news for the Germans, but after 71 goals for the team, the striker has more than done his part. He continues to awe and impress at club level with Lazio, and the 360year-old seems continues to be better than younger competitors.

11. Frank Lampard

Frank Lampard Best Soccer Players
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11. Frank Lampard

Frank Lampard Best Soccer Players
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Frank Lampard had 106 caps for England before ultimately retiring and he made 29 goals in that time as a midfielder. He is even more successful at club level, and MLS defenders will need to prepare for the speed he brings to the field. He will continue to star in MLS as he did in EPL.

10. Manuel Neuer

Manuel Neuer Best Soccer Players
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10. Manuel Neuer

Manuel Neuer Best Soccer Players
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Manuel Neuer won the Golden Glove for his performance in the World Cup and was on the short list for the Best Player in Europe Award. Those who think goalkeepers cannot be crucial for a team to win have never seen Neuer play. He is the best goalkeeper in the world right now.

9. Robin van Persie

Robin van Persie Best Soccer Players
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9. Robin van Persie

Robin van Persie Best Soccer Players
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Robin van Persie is one of the best strikers in the world and continues to thrive in the EPL. He led Arsenal to victory before heading to Manchester United where he is continuing to impress fans and critics all over the world. He is a big part of why Netherlands is so successful.

8. Andres Iniesta

Andres Iniesta Best Soccer Players
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8. Andres Iniesta

Andres Iniesta Best Soccer Players
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Andres Iniesta is one of the best midfielders in the world thanks to the training he’s had with FC Barcelona since his youth. He is one of the few Spanish players yet to retire internationally, which is good news for Spain, because he is often the player making the plays. It’s hard to stop him.

7. Philipp Lahm

Philipp Lahm Best Soccer Players
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7. Philipp Lahm

Philipp Lahm Best Soccer Players
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There is no doubt that the captain of the 2014 World Cup Champions is a top player in the world. Philipp Lahm is a top defender as is seen in international and club level. Bayern Munich continues to showcase his talent, and he does not seem to be slowing down yet.

6. Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic Best Soccer Players
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6. Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic Best Soccer Players
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It’s impossible not to know who Zlatan Ibrahimovic is. He may come off as arrogant, but he has the ability to make impossible goals. He’s a memorable player, and he’s talented beyond compare. His small flaws come from his temperament.

5. Arjen Robben

Arjen Robben Best Soccer Player
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5. Arjen Robben

Arjen Robben Best Soccer Player
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Netherlands winger Arjen Robben has bounced around from club to club, but has left a lasting impression in each. He is a star player for Netherlands and Bayern Munich and was rightfully short-listed for the UEFA Best Player in Europe. He lost to Cristiano Ronaldo, but he is still among the best in the world.

4. Neymar Jr.

Neymar Jr Best Soccer Players
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4. Neymar Jr.

Neymar Jr Best Soccer Players
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Neymar Jr. worked his way into to stardom at such an early age. As soon as he joined La Liga, everyone who didn’t know him already knew him now. He had the talent to back up the hype and was Brazil’s best player in the World Cup. He poses a threat to other top talents.

3. Alexis Sanchez

Alexis Sanchez Best Soccer Players
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3. Alexis Sanchez

Alexis Sanchez Best Soccer Players
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Alexis Sanchez first made headlines when signing with FC Barcelona, and he has only gotten better since then. He helped Chile make the Round of 16 in the World Cup, and is now a rising star at Arsenal. He is a player defenders fear.

2. Leo Messi

Leo Messi Best Soccer Players
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2. Leo Messi

Leo Messi Best Soccer Players
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Leo Messi is almost a synonym for soccer. Those who don’t follow the sport still know the legend that is Messi. He is a top scorer for his club and country, and he almost won the World Cup this summer. It is hard to top him.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo Best Soccer Players
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1. Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo Best Soccer Players
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Cristiano Ronaldo recently won the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award. He definitely deserved the win because he shows his skill time and time again. He falls short with Portugal because his team lacks the talent, but Real Madrid does have the talent to keep him happy.

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