Lionel Messi plays his final game for Argentina tonight – bringing an end to a magnificent international career and also his eligibility for the title of best player in the world.
Messi was still a contender while appearing on the global stage and his performances in the World Cup over the summer did little to dispel the theory that, even at 39 years of age, he had a legitimate claim.
But his departure from the international game means he will play out his final seasons in Major League Soccer and it would be hard to justify his position as top dog when bullying the opposition for Inter Miami.
Therefore, the stage is cleared for new contenders to assume the mantle of the world’s best. Three of our candidates have been around for some time but with Messi (and to a lesser extent Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been a fading force for a while now) heading into the sunset, they can make their pitches.
There are many players whose numbers defy belief and so there’s an element of personal taste in our selections, as well as the eye-test; which player do you enjoy watching, who gets you off your seat?
Here’s our top five:
5. Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)
Long talked about as the heir to Messi and Ronaldo, the France striker continues to score goals at an impressive rate at the Santiago Bernabeu and successive Pichichi awards demonstrate his ruthlessness. A career record of 381 goals in 491 club appearances speaks volumes while his strike rate on the international stage – 67 in 107 – is equally formidable.
But there is no denying his move to Madrid has not worked out as planned. Mbappe was brought in to solidify Madrid’s status as the best side in Europe – they won the Champions League two days before his switch to the Spanish capital was confirmed. And yet it has not materialised. Madrid have flopped in the competition since and also fallen behind Barcelona in Spain.
At 27, you could justifiably argue Mbappe’s best days are behind him. His blistering acceleration will start to dwindle while he has already started to sustain niggling injuries that threaten to dilute his influence.
4. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
Kane has shown Mbappe how to evolve as a footballer while not losing his predatory instincts. Watch Bayern or England and you’re struck by how deep Kane drops, often picking the ball up from the central defenders, to manipulate the game. His range of passing has improved over the years and the way he finds space using an economy of movement is reminiscent of Messi. And then there’s the stats…213 goals in 317 Premier League games for Tottenham and 152 in 154 appearances in all competitions for Bayern.
He’s also England’s record goalscorer and will soon overtake Peter Shilton’s record of 125 appearances.
Kane is 33 years of age but is poised to sign a new deal with Bayern and it’s easy to see why the German champions are eager to tie him down. His game is no longer just about scoring goals, he creates, he leads and he inspires. He has yet to land a major piece of silverware – the Champions League, European Championship or World Cup – but it wouldn’t be a major surprise if that record changed over the next few years.
3. Rodri (Barcelona)
The conductor for Spain’s orchestra. The man who makes everything tick for the best international team in the world. Rodri makes football look ridiculously easy. The best defensive midfielder in the game without any doubt, the 30-year-old is one of only two non-forwards to have won the Ballon d’Or in the last 20 years – Luka Modric the other midfield recipient in an era dominated by Messi and Ronaldo.
Rodri has won every major honour, individually and collectively, available in the game. He won the domestic set at Manchester City and both the Euros and World Cup with Spain.
A summer move to Barcelona makes it almost inevitable he will replicate his achievements with City in Spain as well. Strong, physical when necessary but supremely gifted on the ball, Rodri possesses every quality required.
2. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
What Yamal’s achieved at just 19 years of age is ridiculous. Already a European Championship and World Cup winner, the Barcelona and Spain winger is destined for superstardom for the next decade and beyond. Having made his Barcelona debut at 15, it is easy to forget just how much time he has to improve further, and that is a frightening thought. As a Camp Nou favourite, and also occupying the right-wing role, it is easy to make comparisons with Messi but Yamal’s record at this stage is more impressive. He has already made over 150 appearances for Barca and has three La Liga titles on his CV as well as the 2025 Copa del Rey.
As important as the numbers is the joy he brings, the dancing feet, the drops of the shoulder, the bursts of pace – he passes the eye test with flying colours. He also possesses a swagger, an on-field arrogance that is hard to ignore.
Yamal’s challenge is to maintain this level for the next decade. If he does, he would’ve built a record to challenge Messi’s.
1. Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)
This selection may raise a few eyebrows and, admittedly, it does rely more on the eye test than some of the other candidates but when you watch Michael Olise play football, you see greatness in the making. Barca fans will no doubt disagree but he has the highest ceiling of any player on this list. The way he moves, the way he dictates games, the moments of outrageous brilliance that mark him out as a very special footballer. All delivered with a nonchalance, a Gallic shrug that indicates it was nothing out of the ordinary for a man which such natural gifts.
Olise has been special for some time but, this season, he has hit new heights. Twelve goal involvements in seven games for Bayern across domestic and European games highlights his brilliance while his recent appearances for France prove he is playing a different game to most at international level as well. Across Zinedine Zidane’s first four games as France coach, Olise has contributed four goals and two assists. Zidane, arguably one of the greatest players of all time, described him as “exceptional”.
At 24, the world is his to conquer…
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: 101greatgoals.com
