The 50 Best Players of the 2000s – Ranked
The 2000s marked a transformative period in football, where generational talents dazzled on the world’s biggest stages. With tactical revolutions, emerging superstars, and iconic moments, this era defined modern football. Here are the top 50 players of the 2000s, celebrated for their greatness during this incredible decade.
50. Petr Čech
Čech set new standards for goalkeeping with his composed style and record-breaking debut Premier League season at Chelsea. He was the bedrock of José Mourinho’s defensively dominant side.
49. Juan Roman Riquelme
A maestro with unrivaled vision, Riquelme was the heartbeat of every team he played for. His elegance and refusal to conform to pressing trends made him a cult figure.
48. Henrik Larsson
Larsson scored at an astonishing rate for Celtic and then proved his class at Barcelona and Manchester United. His instinctive finishing and intelligence transcended leagues.
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47. Edwin van der Sar
After stints with Juventus and Fulham, Van der Sar revived his career at Manchester United. Calm, commanding and superb with the ball, he was key in United’s title-winning sides.
46. Javier Zanetti
Zanetti was a tireless leader and a model professional for Inter Milan. His versatility and consistency made him one of Serie A’s most respected figures.
45. Gianluigi Buffon
Buffon reached his peak during Italy’s 2006 World Cup triumph, where he conceded just two goals. A commanding presence, he combined shot-stopping excellence with mental strength.
44. Xabi Alonso
Known for his long-range passing and cool demeanor, Alonso dictated play from midfield. His goals from distance and understanding of rhythm made him a Liverpool legend.
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43. Cafu
Cafu’s stamina and tactical discipline redefined the right-back role. He won the 2002 World Cup and lifted the Champions League with AC Milan in 2007.
42. Michael Ballack
Ballack was a complete midfielder with goals, tackles, and passes in his locker. After early heartbreaks in 2002, he enjoyed trophy-laden spells with Bayern Munich and Chelsea.
41. Roberto Carlos
Carlos was famed for his blistering speed and thunderous shots. His exploits with Real Madrid and Brazil made him one of the most iconic full-backs in history.
40. Ryan Giggs
Though his pace waned, Giggs reinvented himself as a technical midfielder late in the decade. His longevity and ability to adapt kept him vital to Manchester United's success.
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39. Oliver Kahn
“Der Titan” was a ferocious competitor with unmatched reflexes. His heroics at the 2002 World Cup and success with Bayern Munich earned him back-to-back Ballon d’Or podium finishes.
38. Fabio Cannavaro
Cannavaro captained Italy to World Cup glory in 2006 and won the Ballon d’Or later that year. Despite being under six feet, his timing and leadership made him elite.
37. Ruud van Nistelrooy
Van Nistelrooy was a goal machine, especially for Manchester United. With over 150 goals and predatory instincts, he later continued scoring in La Liga for Real Madrid.
36. Nemanja Vidić
Vidić was a warrior at the back, combining old-school grit with sharp anticipation. A key figure in Manchester United’s title-winning defenses, he earned two Player of the Season awards.
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35. Pavel Nedvěd
Nedvěd was relentless, two-footed, and complete in every aspect of midfield play. The 2003 Ballon d’Or winner shone at Lazio and Juventus, even staying after their relegation.
34. Patrick Vieira
The powerhouse behind Arsenal's Invincibles, Vieira was both fierce and technically gifted. His driving runs and dominance defined the Gunners' midfield in the 2000s.
33. David Villa
Villa terrorized La Liga defenses at Valencia, becoming Spain’s top scorer at Euro 2008. His clinical finishing and movement earned him a spot among the world's elite strikers.
32. Paolo Maldini
Still world-class into his 40s, Maldini's tactical intelligence and composure were unmatched. He lifted two Champions Leagues in the 2000s, completing a near-unparalleled legacy.
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31. Luís Figo
Figo made headlines for switching from Barcelona to Real Madrid, but he let his performances speak. A key Galáctico and later a Serie A winner at Inter, he aged gracefully.
30. Francesco Totti
Totti was Roma’s golden boy, loyal to the end and full of flair. His playmaking and goalscoring made him one of the most beloved Italians of his generation.
29. Didier Drogba
Drogba’s knack for scoring in finals made him a Chelsea legend. A physically dominant forward, he was a nightmare for defenders on the biggest stages.
28. Carles Puyol
Puyol was Barcelona’s iron will in defense. His fearlessness and heart complemented the finesse of his teammates perfectly.
27. Andrea Pirlo
Pirlo glided through matches with grace and accuracy. From Milan to the Azzurri, he dictated tempo and left a trail of defenders spinning.
26. David Beckham
Beckham was much more than a celebrity – he was a tireless, elite passer and crosser. From Manchester United to Real Madrid, he was always influential.
25. Iker Casillas
Casillas was a teenage phenom who never lost his sharp reflexes. He anchored Real Madrid and Spain with heroics and calm under fire.
24. Rivaldo
Rivaldo’s left foot was one of the most magical of all time. His outrageous hat-trick for Barcelona and 2002 World Cup brilliance stand the test of time.
23. Alessandro Nesta
Nesta was smooth, elegant, and rarely beaten. His defensive reading made him one of Italy’s most revered defenders of the era.
22. Claude Makélélé
Makélélé was so influential they named a role after him. He protected the defense with positional genius and was crucial to Chelsea’s rise under Mourinho.
21. Ashley Cole
Cole was the best left-back in the world for a stretch, combining pace with defensive awareness. Whether at Arsenal or Chelsea, he shut down elite wingers regularly.
20. Andriy Shevchenko
Shevchenko’s AC Milan career was filled with goals and trophies, including the Ballon d’Or. A pure striker with intelligence and ice-cold finishing.
19. John Terry
Terry was Chelsea’s captain, leader, legend – a fearless defender with timing and grit. His leadership was as valuable as his defensive prowess.
18. Paul Scholes
Scholes transitioned from goal-getter to deep-lying playmaker. His passing, vision, and striking from distance made him a favorite among greats.
17. Fernando Torres
Torres tore through defenses with elegance and explosiveness. His Liverpool years saw him rival the best in the world.
16. Rio Ferdinand
Ferdinand was the modern centre-back: composed, fast, and tactically astute. At Manchester United, he formed one of the game’s best defensive partnerships.
15. Raúl
Raúl was Real Madrid’s soul – consistent, unflashy, and deadly. His Champions League exploits and longevity were remarkable.
14. Frank Lampard
Lampard redefined midfield goalscoring. With over 140 goals and tireless running, he helped Chelsea become a dominant force.
13. Samuel Eto’o
Eto’o was lightning in the box, sharp and relentless. With Barcelona and Inter, he won everything and scored for fun.
12. Steven Gerrard
Gerrard was a force of nature, dragging Liverpool to dramatic wins. Istanbul, Cardiff, Olympiacos – his legend was built on moments.
11. Wayne Rooney
Rooney was a teenage phenomenon who matured into a complete forward. Strong, skillful, and passionate, he became England and United’s talisman.
10. Lionel Messi
Messi’s 2000s rise hinted at greatness to come. By 2009, he’d won the treble and was already among the elite.
9. Zlatan Ibrahimović
Zlatan’s charisma matched his outrageous goals. From Ajax to Inter, he brought flair and belief wherever he went.
8. Andrés Iniesta
Iniesta’s subtle brilliance transformed games quietly. With perfect timing and technical mastery, he became an artist in midfield.
7. Ronaldo Nazário
Though plagued by injury, Ronaldo’s 2002 World Cup resurrection was epic. He remained the model of the perfect striker.
6. Xavi
Xavi passed opponents into oblivion. He was the architect behind tiki-taka and the calm within Barcelona’s storm.
5. Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo turned promise into power at Manchester United. His pace, drive, and goal output were staggering even before Madrid.
4. Thierry Henry
Henry was unstoppable, blending pace, finesse, and clinical finishing. Arsenal’s king and France’s tormentor-in-chief.
3. Kaká
For a time, Kaká ruled world football with smooth runs and divine assists. His 2007 Ballon d’Or was richly deserved.
2. Zinedine Zidane
Zizou’s touch was magic, his balance otherworldly. From Champions League heroics to World Cup drama, he was unforgettable.
1. Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho made the world fall in love with football again. His joy, creativity, and sheer brilliance lit up every pitch he graced.
