Football

Top 25 Players of the 2025 UEFA Nations League – Ranked

Euro 2024 has come to a close, and after a month of breathtaking football, tactical masterclasses, and unforgettable individual moments, it's time to reflect on the standout performers. These are the players who rose to the occasion, delivered when it mattered, and etched their names into the tournament’s legacy. From commanding defenders and tireless midfielders to game-changing forwards and brick-wall goalkeepers, here are the top 25 players of the tournament, ranked from #25 to #1 based on their overall impact, stats, and consistency.

25. Christian Eriksen (Denmark – Midfielder)

Eriksen
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Eriksen has been Denmark’s creative heartbeat, playing 8 matches and contributing 2 goals and 2 assists. His calmness on the ball and leadership remain crucial for the Danes, with a solid rating of 57.9.

24. Bernardo Silva (Portugal – Midfielder)

Bernardo Silva
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Silva has been a consistent performer, appearing in 9 matches and scoring once. With an impressive score of 60.2, his ability to link play and press high has been vital for Portugal.

23. Dominik Livaković (Croatia – Goalkeeper)

Dominik,Livakovic
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The Croatian keeper played 7 matches, maintaining strong composure between the posts. Although he didn’t register clean sheets or assists, his calm distribution and saves earned him a score of 24.9.

Read also: Top 25 UEFA Club Performers of the 2024-25 Season - Ranked

22. Vitinha (Portugal – Midfielder)

Vitinha
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Vitinha has played all 8 of Portugal's games and impressed with 3 assists. His creative spark from midfield and ability to control tempo resulted in a score of 54.9.

21. Marc Cucurella (Spain – Defender)

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With 7 solid appearances, Cucurella has provided excellent defensive stability and composure on the ball. His contribution in Spain’s build-up earned him a respectable 40.1 rating.

19. Bart Verbruggen (Netherlands – Goalkeeper)

Bert Verbruggen
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Tied at #19, Verbruggen has been dependable across his 7 appearances. Despite not recording clean sheets or assists, his distribution (25.7) and reflexes (29.2) highlight his importance.

19. William Saliba (France – Defender)

William Saliba
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Also ranked #19, Saliba has played 7 matches and been a rock at the back. With top defensive awareness and strength, he’s helped France stay solid, earning a 60.7 score.

Read also: Ranking the 16 Greatest Finishers in Football History

18. Jules Koundé (France – Defender)

Jules Koundé
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Koundé has impressed with his positioning and distribution over 8 matches. His composed performances helped France stay structured defensively, giving him a score of 66.6.

17. Jonathan Tah (Germany – Defender)

Jonathan Tah
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Tah played 8 matches and was key in anchoring Germany’s backline. With a score of 66.4, his aerial presence and composure have stood out in a solid tournament display.

16. Luka Modrić (Croatia – Midfielder)

Luka Modric
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The Croatian maestro played 8 games and scored once. His control and leadership in midfield have earned him a strong 67 rating, further proving his enduring class.

15. Sandro Tonali (Italy – Midfielder)

Sandro Tonali
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Tonali has contributed 2 goals and 1 assist in 8 matches. His dynamic box-to-box presence and tenacity earned him a notable score of 89.

Read also: The 20 Latest Winners of the Golden Boy Award - Ranked

14. Fabián Ruiz (Spain – Midfielder)

Fabian Ruiz
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With 10 appearances, 2 goals, and 1 assist, Ruiz has been one of Spain’s most effective midfielders. His score of 65.6 reflects his versatility and intelligent movement.

13. Alessandro Bastoni (Italy – Defender)

Alessandro Bastoni
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Bastoni played all 8 matches and maintained defensive discipline throughout. His strong tackling and ability to pass out from the back gave him a high score of 76.2.

12. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal – Forward)

Ronaldo
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Ronaldo scored 8 goals and assisted once in 9 games. While not his most dominant major tournament, his finishing remains lethal, earning him a 53.5 rating.

11. Joško Gvardiol (Croatia – Defender)

Joško Gvardiol
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Gvardiol has impressed with one goal in 8 games and a tournament-high 74.6 rating for his defensive contributions. His reading of the game has been world-class.

Read also: The 10 Highest-Scoring Defenders in Football History

08. Kasper Schmeichel (Denmark – Goalkeeper)

Kasper Schmeichel
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Schmeichel played 8 matches and showed consistent shot-stopping ability. Although he didn’t keep clean sheets, his experience and composure were invaluable (22.6 rating).

08. Jannik Vestergaard (Denmark – Defender)

Jannik Vestergaard
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Vestergaard was a mainstay in the Danish defense over 8 matches. His aerial prowess and timing in duels earned him a score of 53.2.

08. Josip Šutalo (Croatia – Defender)

Josip,Sutalo
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Šutalo featured in 8 games and showcased smart positioning and clearances. With a strong score of 71.7, he was crucial to Croatia’s backline.

07. Martín Zubimendi (Spain – Midfielder)

Martin Zubimendi
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Zubimendi played 9 games and contributed 2 goals from midfield. His physicality and smart passing helped Spain control games, earning him a 58.6 score.

Read also: The 15 Best Footballers Aged 35 and Over in 2025 – Ranked

06. Rúben Dias (Portugal – Defender)

Rúben Dias
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Dias played 8 games and brought consistent composure to Portugal’s defense. With a score of 62.3, his calmness under pressure and aerial dominance stood out.

05. Joshua Kimmich (Germany – Midfielder)

Joshua Kimmich
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Kimmich starred with 2 goals and 6 assists in 10 games. His ability to dictate play and find dangerous passes resulted in an elite 81.9 score.

04. Bruno Fernandes (Portugal – Midfielder)

Bruno Fernandes
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Fernandes had 2 goals and 4 assists in 9 matches. His playmaking and aggressive runs behind defenses gave him one of the highest scores of the tournament: 78.2.

03. Diogo Costa (Portugal – Goalkeeper)

diogo costa
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Costa was the backbone of Portugal’s defense, playing 9 matches and keeping numerous clean sheets. His impressive saves and cool head earned him a 29.9 score.

02. Mike Maignan (France – Goalkeeper)

Mike Maignan
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Maignan played 10 matches and made crucial saves in tight moments. His excellent command of the area and reflexes were key to France's progress (33.2 rating).

01. Nuno Mendes (Portugal – Defender)

Nuno Mendes
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Mendes tops the list after a standout tournament, playing all 10 games and contributing both defensively and offensively with a goal and 6 key passes. His dominant display is reflected in his top rating of 70.1.