It is that point once more: with the UEFA Champions League last behind us and the 2024-25 season formally over, it is time to rank the highest 100 gamers in males’s soccer proper now. Welcome to the FC 100.
The FC 100 is completely different than most countdowns. It’s not a Nos. 1-100 rating. We keep in mind all the key positions on the pitch, whereas most rankers go talent-first with little regard for the place the celebrities play. It results in uninspiring lists which can be closely weighted towards purpose scorers (forwards) and gamers who create objectives from midfield, paying little consideration to the expertise in much less glamorous — however equally vital — roles.
Our rankings are divided into seven lists and provides readers the closest factor to a position-by-position “depth chart” throughout world soccer. This yr, reflective of the ever-changing recreation, we have break up defenders into two teams (vast and central), with two sections for midfield (so extra defensive guys get their due alongside the playmakers) and two for ahead, with the wing and center-forward positions clearly outlined.
2:09
How Mbappé bounced again from ‘all-time low’ to assert prime spot on the FC 100
Alex Kirkland and Julien Laurens talk about Kylian Mbappé’s No. 1 rating amongst heart forwards on the ESPN FC 100.
The 2024-25 FC 100, place by place
Go to: Goalkeeper | Fullbacks | Middle backs | Defensive/central midfielders | Attacking midfielders | Wingers | Middle forwards
Earlier editions
Go to: 2023-24 | 2022-23 | 2021-22 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016
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Which ever-present ESPN FC 100 participant is in essentially the most hazard of lacking out?
Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski and Jan Oblak have been in all 9 editions of the ESPN FC 100, however who may not make it to the tenth?
What’s new, and what has modified for 2025
This yr’s poll had almost 100 entries from everywhere in the globe and from all areas of ESPN from writers to reporters, from editors to producers, from behind-the-scenes workers to on-air expertise. Writers Gab Marcotti, Julien Laurens and Mark Ogden, and former gamers Don Hutchison, Nedum Onuoha and Alejandro Moreno have been solely a few of the key voters in English, however each space of ESPN’s international soccer protection got here collectively to weigh in on the checklist and supply their votes, with ESPN Brazil (Leonardo Bertozzi, Renato Senise), ESPN Deportes (Fernando Palomo, Barak Fever), ESPN Argentina (Mariano Closs, Diego Latorre), ESPN Netherlands (Kees Kwakman, Yordi Yamali) and extra.
Now we have additionally reverted to treating the positions with extra distinct respect given how fullbacks and wingers play such multifaceted, progressive roles within the fashionable recreation. The vital distinction in midfield has additionally been acknowledged, with separate ballots for defensive/holding midfielders (whose major function is to disrupt opponents and distribute the ball) and attacking midfielders, who’re tasked with taking part in that important last cross.
As such, the checklist is break up into seven classes: goalkeeper, fullback, heart again, defensive midfield, attacking midfield, wing and heart ahead. This provides full consideration to each key component on the pitch and permits beforehand unheralded gamers an opportunity to be appreciated.
Most important takeaways
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A brand new technology emerges: This season’s version of the FC 100 has 40 first-time entrants on the checklist, which displays the altering faces of the sport and the emergence of an thrilling new group of stars.
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Three gamers made the checklist for a ninth straight yr: As we head towards our tenth anniversary of the FC 100 in 2026, it is value calling out three gamers particularly for his or her unbelievable longevity and efficiency, for it has seen them named to each single version of our annual ranker. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF), Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) and Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid), take a bow.
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As soon as once more, Pulisic represents for the USMNT: For the second consecutive yr and third time general, Christian Pulisic made the FC 100 in acknowledgment of one other glowing season at AC Milan.
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The Premier League continues to be the highest competitors: As soon as once more, the English league guidelines the roost with over one-third (35) of the FC 100, a quantity that might enhance over the approaching weeks as gamers similar to Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen) finalize strikes. However solely two of these names got here from Manchester Metropolis (reflecting their subpar season) as 12 completely different PL groups had gamers within the FC 100, a testomony to the league’s energy in depth: Liverpool (10) and Arsenal (8) understandably topped their friends, however Nottingham Forest had 4 gamers chosen.
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Paris Saint-Germain prepared the ground: What a season it has been for PSG. Successful their first UEFA Champions League title Saturday was the cherry on prime of a outstanding marketing campaign, and the FC 100 voters have acknowledged their resurgence as 11 gamers made the FC 100, making them the most-represented membership for 2024-25. (Liverpool have been in second, with 10.)
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A dominant yr for France: Along with PSG main all golf equipment with 11 nominations, the French nationwide staff also can declare supremacy when breaking down the checklist by nation. Les Bleus prepared the ground with 12 gamers on the 2024-25 FC 100, with Spain (11), England (9) and Brazil (9) shut behind.
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Ogden: Salah is the face of this Premier League period
Mark Ogden praises Mo Salah’s impression on the Premier League and says his legacy has surpassed Thierry Henry’s.
How our voters dealt with the poll
Conducting a worldwide vote on the world’s finest gamers isn’t any straightforward feat, and we gave some tips with the ballots as to how probably finest to proceed. Voters have been inspired to take the next issues into consideration: Who’re one of the best gamers proper now, weighted towards their 2024-25 seasons? Voters got discretion as to how a lot of a component accidents performed in votes; some gamers made the minimize regardless of lacking chunks of the season given the size of their contributions and performances when wholesome. Equally, performances in particular person competitions (e.g., Champions League) have been thought of, however weren’t the overarching issue, in casting a vote. Gamers whose efforts spanned the biggest pattern of video games ought to naturally rank increased than those that excelled briefly event codecs.
What every checklist of the FC 100 is about
The important thing right here is twofold: why every participant made the checklist in 2024-25, and what they challenge to do subsequent season.
Goalkeeper
It is not sufficient for the fashionable goalkeeper to be good along with his gloves. As of late, shot-stoppers are anticipated to begin the attacking strikes by taking part in out from the again, along with shutting them down.
Agility and reflexes are par for the course, however one of the best goalies on this planet additionally fuse a way of confidence and composure of their penalty areas that make them appear bigger than life.
See the complete checklist right here.
Fullbacks
What do you say a couple of fashionable fullback? Gamers similar to Trent Alexander-Arnold and Achraf Hakimi have revolutionized what the place could be, taking it from a stolid behind-the-ball function to changing into a major playmaker who provides simply as many objectives and assists as they forestall opponents from attaining.
The very best within the recreation will marry a powerful positional consciousness with blinding pace, in addition to the daring sense to surge ahead and assist their groups in assault. Consolation and precision crossing is a valued high quality, too, as the highest fullbacks will probably be at their finest on an overlap earlier than curling within the good ball.
See the complete checklist right here.
Middle backs
If you are going to have an important staff, you want an important heart again — two, should you’re actually fortunate. The very best within the recreation are formidable and assertive however are additionally blessed with the grace to time tackles and anticipate a striker’s actions to win again possession.
Magnificence on the ball and off is crucial, whether or not taking part in a weighted cross upfield or feinting their well beyond opponents to ease the strain.
See the complete checklist right here.
Defensive/central midfielders
Midfield is commonly the largest battleground in soccer, and gamers who occupy that treasured territory take many types and have many roles. There are defensive midfielders who create assaults or thwart these of an opponent. There are additionally central midfielders who join the dots in transition with defense-splitting passes or otherworldly energy in possession.
These rankings have fun each types, from the disruptors similar to Aurelien Tchouaméni and Alexis Mac Allister to the space-covering, two-way stars similar to Declan Rice and Bruno Guimarães.
See the complete checklist right here.
Attacking midfielders
Mischief, creativity, tempo and confidence — these are the inventory instruments of one of the best attacking midfielders. Typically known as the No. 10, these gamers are as snug scoring the objectives as they’re teeing up teammates. With free rein to float across the pitch and exploit the area, their potential to conjure one thing from nothing makes them essentially the most entertaining gamers.
See the complete checklist right here.
Wingers
Wing is a place of trickery, showmanship and talent. Whether or not beating opponents for tempo or on the dribble, roaming freely infield to take high-quality photographs or hugging the touchlines to supply good passes for teammates, the wing isn’t any place for the timid. These are your showboats, scorers and free-roaming forces of nature.
Although loads of groups have standard vast forwards, rising stars similar to Lamine Yamal and Désiré Doué have proven there may be loads of profit to having quick, forward-thinking gamers in vast positions. Blessed with tempo and persistence to beat their markers and make it to the byline for a cut-back cross, or stepping into scoring place, they’re a menace for opponents and a delight for followers.
See the complete checklist right here.
Middle forwards
Middle forwards are your closers. They are a potent mix of close-range finisher, playmaker and area creator for teammates across the field. They’re proficient sufficient to deal with the free function and swish sufficient beneath strain to consistently ship. They’re going to rating in any recreation, in opposition to any staff from any place. Fleet of foot and fast of thoughts, their potential to learn the play and anticipate the place the ball will probably be three passes earlier than it will get there may be what units them aside.
It is not solely the tap-ins they will rating, both. The very best can improvise with any a part of the physique (besides the fingers, after all) to get the job accomplished. Intelligent flicks, nifty tips, brash backheels and calm set items are their finest attributes.
See the complete checklist right here.
The 2024-25 FC 100, place by place
Go to: Goalkeeper | Fullbacks | Middle backs | Defensive/central midfielders | Attacking midfielders | Wingers | Middle forwards
