Best Football Player in the World- Messi, Ronaldo, or Mbappe

Number #1 Footballer in the World

That is one question that has kept fans across the world divided. With two of the greatest of this generation, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, approaching the twilight years of their careers, new stars are emerging and occupying the imaginations of the fans.

The football transfer window, which is also in full swing right now, is one of the best places where you can get an idea about emerging talents and future stars. Clubs are not shy of spending millions on securing players that they think are capable of winning them silverware either in the long run or almost immediately. Fans following the transfer window closely will definitely get an idea of who the best football player in the world can be over the next few years or so.

Just like these players who battle it out to become the best in the real football world, you too can make use of your skills and become the best in the fantasy football world. Make your dream football team on Howzat now and win big!

Top 10 Best Football Players in the World Ranked 2023

Here we are going to assess the top 10 famous football players every one of whom can be regarded as the best footballer in the world at this point in time by fans.

#1. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami & Argentina) (Total Football Goals: 819)

As of 10 Sep 2023, Lionel Messi has scored more than 700 goals for club and 100 goals for his country Argentina. Messi has scored 11 goals for Inter Miami in 11 appearances overall.

He remains one of the best football players in the world based on his achievements and his popularity with football fans. Lionel Messi is the highest goal scorer (13) and has the most appearances (26) for Argentina in Football World Cup. He won his first Football World Cup title, beating France in the final 3-3 (4-2 penalties) on 18 Dec. 2022. 

#2. Kylian Mbappe (PSG & France) (Total Football Goals: 288)

As of 10 Sep 2023, Kylian Mbappe is the captain of the France's national football team and country's second-highest goal scorer in Football World Cups. He has scored 12 goals in 2 editions, just behind Just Fontaine record of 13 goals in the 1958 World Cup.

Mbappe is officially one of the fastest footballers in the world, with the ability to clock a sprint speed of 38km/hour. PSG trusts Mbappe to run with the ball from the midfield and find the back of the net on a regular basis. The Frenchman has 5 goals from 3 appearances in the 2023-24 season for his club and was a key player for France throughout the 2022 Football World Cup.

#3. Erling Haaland (Manchester City & Norway) (Total Football Goals: 237)

As of 10 Sep 2023, Haaland is the highest goal-scorer of the new 2023-24 Premier League season with 6 goals in 4 matches. Haaland has already scored 58 goals for Manchester City.

Norway is still a relatively unknown name in the world of international football. But one player from the country that is taking the world by storm is their 6 feet 5-inch striker Erling Haaland. It is really important for a striker to be a physical presence inside the box. Haaland provides his team with that. 

#4. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona & Poland) (Total Football Goals: 604)

As of 10 Sep 2023, Robert Lewandowski scored his 604th career goal. He scored 2 goals in 4 appearances for Barcelona in the 2023-24 season.

One of the greatest-ever players to wear the Polish shirt is the new Barcelona man Robert Lewandowski. Lewandowski ended his eight-year-old association with German giants Bayern Munich at the end of the 2021-22 season, and moved to Spain to join club Barcelona. Lewandowski’s career in the Bundesliga is decorated with 312 well-crafted goals. Standing 6 feet one inch, Lewandowski gives his teammates an aerial presence inside the opposition box and is good at using both his feet.

#5. Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr & Portugal) (Total Football Goals: 850)

As of 10 Sep 2023, Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record of most goals (850) in competitive football. He has scored over 700 league goals, playing for his various clubs in his career. Ronaldo has the highest football salary in history, worth €200 million per year.

There is almost no silverware that Ronaldo has failed to win over the course of his illustrious career. Having started his career as a winger, the 38-year-old shifted up the pitch and is currently employed as the lone striker both by his club as well as his national team Portugal. His country depends a lot on his ability to take their team home from precarious situations. Ronaldo has scored 26 goals for Al Nassr so far.

#6. Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City & Belgium) (Total Football Goals: 169)

As of 10 Sep 2023, The Manchester City and Belgium playmaker is regarded as one of the best midfielders of the generation. De Bruyne is just 1 game shy of a three-figure appearance for his country and has scored 26 goals for the Red Devils.

Strikers feel privileged to have him as a supplier to their goals. A lot of credit for his development has to go to his current club manager Pep Guardiola, who has nurtured his creative abilities. That in turn has benefitted his country.

#7. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich & England) (Total Football Goals: 357)

As of 10 Sep 2023, Harry Kane became the all-time top goal scorer for the England National Football Team, with 58 goals in 85 matches. He is the second Tottenham player to score 200 league goals after Jimmy Greaves. He is also England's second-highest goal scorer in Football World Cups, with 8 goals in 2 editions (2018 and 2022).

England’s premier striker is yet another name without mentioning whom this list cannot be complete. His almost-perfect chemistry with Son Heung-min had been largely beneficial for his previous club Tottenham. They complemented each other so well and it often happens that one sets the other up in front of the goal. Kane recently moved to German club Bayern Munich on a 4-year deal.

Like many others on this list, Kane also comes with an aerial presence and is almost lethal inside the box. Even for England, Kane’s presence with the captain’s armband assures not just his teammates but also the fans.

#8. Karim Benzema (Al-Ittihad & France) (Total Football Goals: 477)

As of 10 Sep 2023, Karim Benzema, now retirement from the France national team, scored 31 goals in 43 appearances for Real Madrid in the 2022-23 season. Ho joined Saudi club Al-Ittihad in the 2023-24 season.

Karim Benzema won the Ballon d'Or Award for 2022, beating the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Mohammad Salah and Robert Lewandowski in the race. One of the main architects of Real Madrid’s winning their 14th Champions League trophy was French striker Karim Benzema. Following the departure of Ronaldo, a void was created in the Real Madrid attack which the veteran striker successfully filled. Los Blancos do not simply count on his aerial presence inside the box but also on his ball control and long-range shooting. 

#9. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool & Egypt) (Total Football Goals: 316)

As of 10 Sep 2023, Starting out as a winger, it was under Jurgen Klopp that Salah was first used as a part of a three-man attack. Salah has so far scored 188 goals in the Liverpool shirt so far.

Egyptian international Salah is yet another player that has benefitted from having a good club manager in charge of his development. Salah has been pivotal to Liverpool’s success in recent years, though his contributions to Egypt have failed to bear any fruit so far. 

#10. Neymar (Al-Hilal & Brazil) (Total Football Goals: 438)

As of 10 Sep 2023, Neymar is the all-time top goal scorer for the Brazil National Football Team, with 79 goals in 125 matches. Legend Pele is second with 77 goals in 92 matches for Brazil. Neymar joined Saudi club Al-Hilal for the 2023-24 season.

The Brazilian has seen a lot of his talents being wasted due to multiple injury issues he has had to face over the course of his career. In spite of that, Neymar has remained one of the most popular names in the world of football. His country depends greatly on his abilities with the ball. 

He is not just a goal scorer but creates them as well. His dribbling skills are something that many players would be proud of. Though his current situation at his club PSG is vulnerable at the moment, there can be no doubting his abilities.

FAQs about the Best Footballer in the World

Football is becoming more competitive every single day and there is no guarantee that one player being considered the best football player in the world at the moment will be so even in a month’s time. However, that is also improving the overall quality of the game as it is helping in bringing the best out of the players. So in your opinion, who is the best football player in the world?

Who is the No 1 footballer in the world?

Currently, Leo Messi is the No. 1 football player in the world. He has scored 800 goals for the club and country. 

Who is the best football player in the world?

Leo Messi is arguably the best football player in the world. He won the 2022 Football World Cup and 2021 Copa America for Argentina. He has won the Ballon d'Or for a record seven times.

Who is the best female footballer in the world? 

Alexia Putellas of Barcelona and Spain is the best female footballer in the world. She is the 2-time winner of the Ballon d’Or Feminin, Best FIFA Women’s Player, and UEFA Women’s Player of the Year awards in 2021 and 2022.