Best Players of the 2024-25 Season – Ranked
The 2024-25 European season is coming to a close, and with it, GOAL has revealed its definitive ranking of the top 50 players across the continent. From breakout stars to dominant veterans, this list highlights the standout performers who made the biggest impact across all competitions. Let’s count down the names, starting from number 50 to number 1.
50. David de Gea – Fiorentina
The Spanish veteran revived his career in Florence after a year out of football. With 11 clean sheets and countless crucial saves, he proved he still has plenty to offer.
49. Pau Cubarsí – Barcelona
Only 18, yet already one of Europe’s most composed defenders. His performances were key to Barcelona’s domestic double under Hansi Flick.
48. Moisés Caicedo – Chelsea
Caicedo rebounded from a rough debut season to become Chelsea’s player of the year. His ball-winning and progressive play earned him respect across England.
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47. Yann Sommer – Inter Milan
The Swiss goalkeeper was instrumental in Inter’s European run. His semi-final heroics against Barcelona kept them alive when it mattered most.
46. Willian Pacho – Paris Saint-Germain
Pacho emerged as one of PSG’s smartest signings. Strong, composed, and versatile, he stepped into a leadership role despite his young age.
45. Mason Greenwood – Marseille
A new chapter in Ligue 1 saw Greenwood flourish. With 21 goals, he matched legends and earned back the spotlight with his goal-scoring consistency.
44. Fede Valverde – Real Madrid
Madrid’s energy engine, Valverde ran himself into the ground all season. His versatility kept the team afloat during a disappointing campaign.
Read also: The 20 Players With the Most Man of the Match Awards in Europe’s Top 5 Leagues
43. Chris Wood – Nottingham Forest
Wood rolled back the years with a career-best 20 league goals. He became the face of Forest’s European charge.
42. Denzel Dumfries – Inter Milan
Dumfries exploded in the Champions League semi-finals with five direct goal involvements. His athleticism and attacking thrust were game-changing.
41. Nicolò Barella – Inter Milan
Barella continued to run Inter’s midfield with class and control. A true metronome, he remains one of Serie A’s best midfielders.
40. Marcus Thuram – Inter Milan
Thuram silenced doubters with goals, assists, and a memorable Champions League opener vs Barcelona. A crucial cog in Inter’s success.
Read also: The Greatest Individual Champions League Performances of All Time
39. Joshua Kimmich – Bayern Munich
Amid contract uncertainty, Kimmich played over 4,000 minutes and remained vital. His leadership and consistency were crucial for Kompany’s Bayern.
38. Bradley Barcola – Paris Saint-Germain
Barcola’s flair and end product exploded this season with 21 goals and 18 assists. A thrilling winger who embodies Luis Enrique’s philosophy.
37. Bukayo Saka – Arsenal
Injury cut his season short, but Saka still delivered a magical moment in Madrid. Arsenal’s heartbeat continues to rise as a global superstar.
36. William Saliba – Arsenal
Saliba continues to impress with maturity and command. At just 24, he’s already on Real Madrid’s radar as one of Europe’s best defenders.
Read also: Ranking the 20 Greatest Goalkeepers in Football History
35. Bruno Fernandes – Manchester United
Fernandes dragged a failing United side all year. With 19 goals and 20 assists, his output was elite, even from deeper positions.
34. Alessandro Bastoni – Inter Milan
The elegant defender’s ball-carrying and recovery ability stood out. Integral to Inter’s system, he shined again on the biggest stages.
33. Gabriel Magalhães – Arsenal
Gabriel’s evolution has been remarkable, adding set-piece threat to defensive stability. A true modern centre-back with leadership qualities.
32. Omar Marmoush – Frankfurt/Man City
A mid-season move didn’t halt Marmoush’s momentum. Across both clubs, he totalled 28 goals and 17 assists in a breakout year.
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31. Nuno Mendes – Paris Saint-Germain
Mendes shut down Salah and Saka in the Champions League. His balanced displays make him one of the best left-backs in the world.
30. Alexis Mac Allister – Liverpool
The Argentine playmaker orchestrated Liverpool’s title-winning midfield. His vision and technique added crucial quality in key games.
29. Jamal Musiala – Bayern Munich
Despite an injury-hit end to the season, Musiala dazzled with his dribbling and final-third creativity. Still just 22, his ceiling is sky-high.
28. Julián Álvarez – Atlético Madrid
A slow start turned into a goal-fest, with 29 strikes across competitions. His Champions League form silenced critics and excited suitors.
27. Erling Haaland – Manchester City
Even in a “down year”, Haaland hit 31 goals. His Champions League output was world-class, once again proving his elite level.
26. Achraf Hakimi – Paris Saint-Germain
Hakimi became even more dynamic in PSG’s treble pursuit. His 22 goal involvements from full-back illustrate his immense value.
25. Mateo Retegui – Atalanta
Retegui led Serie A in scoring with 25 league goals. A physical, clinical striker who helped Atalanta back into the Champions League.
24. Désiré Doué – Paris Saint-Germain
The teenage winger stunned Europe with his Neymar-esque style. With 28 goal involvements, he earned a place in PSG’s deadly front three.
23. Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid
Not as explosive as his debut season, but still consistent and effective. 28 goal involvements kept Madrid competitive.
22. Serhou Guirassy – Borussia Dortmund
Guirassy was a Champions League beast with 13 goals. His domestic form was also stellar in pushing Dortmund to the top four.
21. Declan Rice – Arsenal
Rice added attacking flair to his game this season. His free-kicks against Madrid and box-to-box dominance transformed Arsenal.
20. Florian Wirtz – Bayer Leverkusen
Leverkusen’s creative heartbeat, Wirtz amassed 31 goal involvements. He’s one of Europe’s most in-demand playmakers for a reason.
19. Vinícius Júnior – Real Madrid
Despite a team-wide dip, Vinícius still tallied 37 goal contributions. His electrifying pace and flair remain central to Madrid’s hopes.
18. Gianluigi Donnarumma – Paris Saint-Germain
Donnarumma was nearly unbeatable in the Champions League. Talk of a Ballon d’Or nomination isn’t far-fetched.
17. Scott McTominay – Napoli
Reinvented under Conte, McTominay became Napoli’s MVP. He delivered goals, grit, and game-changing moments in their title run.
16. João Neves – Paris Saint-Germain
The 20-year-old dazzled with control, pressing, and technical wizardry. A master of tight spaces who transformed PSG’s midfield.
15. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – Napoli/PSG
Kvara took PSG’s attack to another level after his January move. Elusive and elegant, his creative spark is unmatched.
14. Lautaro Martínez – Inter Milan
His league form dipped, but his 9 Champions League goals were massive. Lautaro’s complete skillset makes him a constant threat.
13. Vitinha – Paris Saint-Germain
Vitinha set the tempo for PSG’s dominant midfield. His pass completion and work rate were fundamental to their European charge.
12. Michael Olise – Bayern Munich
The former Crystal Palace man lit up Germany with goals and assists. Bayern’s best creator not named Kane.
11. Alexander Isak – Newcastle United
Isak finally fulfilled his potential with 23 goals. He helped end Newcastle’s trophy drought and return to the UCL.
10. Viktor Gyökeres – Sporting CP
Gyökeres scored a mind-blowing 53 goals, including six hat-tricks. A striker reborn in Portugal and now courted by Europe’s elite.
9. Virgil van Dijk – Liverpool
The veteran leader was flawless in Liverpool’s title-winning campaign. His presence and passing were as vital as ever.
8. Kylian Mbappé – Real Madrid
Mbappé had a historic debut season in Madrid with 41 goals. Even amid team struggles, he delivered like a superstar.
7. Robert Lewandowski – Barcelona
The veteran striker silenced doubters with 40 goals. His influence helped Barça secure a domestic double.
6. Harry Kane – Bayern Munich
Kane finally won silverware, and did so in style. With 26 Bundesliga and 11 Champions League goals, he was relentless.
5. Pedri – Barcelona
Fitter than ever, Pedri played 58 games and led Europe in ball recoveries. A two-way maestro who anchored Barcelona’s midfield.
4. Ousmane Dembélé – Paris Saint-Germain
A once-frustrating talent, Dembélé turned into a Ballon d’Or contender. His 44 goals helped PSG reach their first UCL final win.
3. Mohamed Salah – Liverpool
The Egyptian King reclaimed the throne with 28 goals and 18 assists. He carried Liverpool back to the summit of English football.
2. Raphinha – Barcelona
Champions League brilliance made Raphinha unmissable. He matched Ronaldo’s record for UCL goal involvements (21) in one season.
1. Lamine Yamal – Barcelona
At just 17, Yamal broke barriers and defied logic with 39 goal involvements. The world now watches in awe of football’s next generational talent.
