The technique, skill, precision and endurance required to succeed on the soccer field is unmatched in any other professional sport. This is what makes soccer a beautiful game beloved by millions of fans around the world. It is also why soccer players need to be considered the world’s most skilled athletes. These are the six best soccer players right now.
- Sergio Ramos
The offensive stars may get the most attention from the fans, but defense is as equally important. Shutting down the top attackers in the world can be nearly impossible at times, but nobody does it better than Sergio Ramos. The Spanish defender routinely stops excellent scoring chances with his impeccable tackling.
- Manuel Neuer
It is impossible to lose a game if no goals are surrendered, so the goalkeeper is often the most important player on the field. Manuel Neuer’s size, athleticism, and quickness has made him the top goalie in the world for the last decade. Neuer rarely surrenders a bad goal, and he is the primary reason Bayern Munich and Germany have been so dominant recently.
- Luka Modric
Luka Modric is a rare soccer player that makes everyone else around him better. His precise passing skills can instantly turn any possession into a great scoring opportunity. Modric’s talents were on full display when he carried Croatia to the finals of the 2018 World Cup.
- Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior
Neymar’s unusual antics on the field can be extremely annoying, but there is no denying that he is one of the most skilled players in the world. Neymar’s elite speed and dribbling skills make him a dangerous weapon anywhere on the field.
- Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo is one of the best forwards in the history of the sport, and he always seems to play his best soccer at the right time. His five Ballon d’Or awards are tied for the most all-time. He has also been named the second-best player in the world six times.
- Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is simply the most technically skilled player to ever step on a soccer field. He is currently tied with Ronaldo with five Ballon d’Or awards. Messi is often criticized for disappearing in big games, but he has helped lead Barcelona to nine club championships and four Champions League titles.