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The 21st century has witnessed some remarkable football talents on the pitch but who are the best players to ever play the game since the turn of the millennium?
Since the turn of the millennium, football fans have watched with joy as a number of players have mesmerised on the pitch, leading their countries and clubs to major honours.
Each country and club have that one player who gives them the X-factor while some are lucky to have multiple multi-talented footballers within their ranks.
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06:12 - 18.04.2025
Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Beatrice Chebet and Junior Starlets Among Big Winners at 2025 SOYA Awards
Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Beatrice Chebet have been recognised following their stellar performances at the Paris 2024 Olympics, while Junior Stars made history as Kenya' first football team to represent the country at a FIFA World Cup.
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20:54 - 17.04.2025
Can an American Finally Win the 2025 Boston Marathon?
The 129th edition of the Boston Marathon presents the Americans with an amazing opportunity to overcome recent woes and upset the East African dominance from Kenya and Ethiopia.
It is not just about scoring goals but the overall work rate, ability, technique, talent and even arrogance which sets the very best from the rest.
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Pulse Sports ranks the 10 best footballers of the 21st century.
Ranking The 10 Best Footballers Of The 21st Century
10. Fabio Cannavaro
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Italian legend Fabio Cannavaro is one of the finest defenders ever witnessed in the 21st century, having excelled at club level for Parma, Juventus and later Real Madrid.
Cannavaro was diminutive, standing just 1.75m tall, but possessed extraordinary aerial ability that allowed him to win numerous battles in the air while he was a no-nonsense defender who cleared danger with finesse.
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20:30 - 17.04.2025
‘That Was The Big Five!’ - Justin Gatlin on What Made Rivalry With Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake, Tyson Gay and Asafa Powell Special
Justin Gatlin has revealed the exact thing that made his rivary with the other members of the sprinting 'big five' - Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell, Yohan Blake and Tyson Gay - special.
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20:00 - 17.04.2025
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The centre back also had great leadership abilities and was vital for Italy, who he led to the 2006 World Cup win, a feat that earned him that year’s Ballon d’Or and no other defender has won the prestigious award since.
9. Mohamed Salah
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Just signed a new two-year contract, which will keep him at Liverpool until 2027, making it 10 years at the club, Mohamed Salah is already a club and Premier League legend.
Few would have predicted Salah’s rise to prominence when he struggled at Chelsea but since signing for Liverpool in 2017 after spells in Italy with Fiorentina and AS Roma, the Egyptian has broken and set numerous records.
His blistering pace, dribbling and goal-scoring ability made him Liverpool’s main man under former manager Jurgen Klopp and he has continued under Arne Slot, adding assists to his game as well.
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10:01 - 17.04.2025
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Shows No Mercy To Fellow Parents As She Destroys Opponents At Son's School [VIDEO]
Jamaican sprint legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce proved that she is ready for the season when she crushed her opponents in a race at her son’s school’s sports day.
Salah has helped Liverpool to eight trophies, including a Premier League and Champions League and another title is on its way, largely thanks to him.
8. Kevin De Bruyne
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Belgian playmaker Kevin De Bruyne is one of the finest midfielders of his generation and has etched his name in Manchester City’s history and remains one of the best to ever grace the Premier League.
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14:35 - 16.04.2025
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De Bruyne’s passing range and vision sets him apart from the rest as few possess that ability to create chances, dictate the tempo of the game and score goals freely as the Manchester City legend, who has helped the club to six Premier League titles in eight years.
Kevin De Bruyne will bring the curtains down on his City career at the end of the 2024-25 season and the Premier League will be poorer without his exceptional skills.
7. Luka Modric
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The evergreen Luka Modric was the man who broke the Cristiano Ronaldo-Lionel Messi stranglehold of the Ballon d’Or, when he won the award in 2018, and there was a good reason for it.
Modric had led what looked like an average Croatia team to the World Cup final, showing great qualities and leadership, on their road to the final.
Those qualities have been on show since joining Real Madrid in 2012 with his creativity and work rate helping Los Blancos to six Champions Leagues as well as four La Liga titles.
6. Ronaldinho
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Perhaps the most exciting player to have played the game in the 21st century, Brazil playmaker Ronaldinho dazzled on the pitch with his skills on the ball.
The ever-smiling Ronaldinho’s brilliance transcended his dazzling dribbling and flair, earning him the Ballon d'Or in 2005, as he shone for Brazil and Barcelona.
Ronaldinho won the 2002 World Cup with Brazil and helped Barcelona to two La Liga and the 2006 Champions League crowns. Many still feel his career ended too soon.
5. Thierry Henry
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Arsenal and France legend Thierry Henry enjoyed his peak years in the early 2000s, dazzling the Premier League with his speed, skill and finishing.
He remains the Gunners’ all-time top scorer and was part of Arsene Wenger’s “Invincibles” that won the 2003-04 Premier League title unbeaten.
Henry scared defenders with his speed and finishing, leaving many for dead, and besides two Premier League titles with the Gunners, he won the Champions League and two La Liga titles with Barcelona as well as the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 with France to cement his legacy.
4. Andres Iniesta
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Spain would perhaps not have won the 2010 World Cup were it not for the brilliance of Andres Iniesta.
While he scored the winning goal, he had already played a pivotal role in their way to the final, showing a remarkable ability to deliver in big moments.
Andres Iniesta’s dribbling, precise passing and ability to find space in the tightest of areas, made him a cut above the rest and Spain and Barcelona reaped maximum dividends.
Besides the 2010 World Cup, the midfielder won Euro 2008 and 2012 with Spain while his trophies for Barcelona include nine La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues.
3. Zinedine Zidane
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A player who transcended both the 20th and 21st century, France icon Zinedine Zidane was a rare talent who had the ability to grab the game by the scruff of its neck.
Having led France to the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, Zidane won La Liga and Champions League with Real Madrid, with the 2002 European final decided by his spectacular volley.
A Ballon d’Or winner, the three-time World Player of the Year scored key goals playing just behind the striker and would lift those around him through his passing, chance creation and leadership.
Zidane single-handedly carried France to the 2006 World Cup final, although it ended in embarrassing fashion when he was sent off for a headbutt on Italy’s Marco Materazzi, but his legacy had already been cemented.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo
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Debate has never ended on who between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi is the true football GOAT of the 21st century but the Portuguese maverick stands among the very best to have ever played the game.
Some would even suggest Ronaldo is the best and his career, which has seen him win titles in England, Spain and Italy, speaks for itself while his haul of five Ballon d’Or awards is only beaten by one man.
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09:30 - 16.04.2025
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Cristiano Ronaldo has an unmatched appetite for the game, while his dedication to breaking records, physical prowess, added to his hard work and consistency sets him apart.
It is no wonder he is still playing past his 40th birthday, showing no signs of stopping, even after three Premier league titles, two La Liga, as many Serie A and five Champions League, four European Golden Shoes, Euro 2016 and UEFA Nations League with Portugal.
Cristiano Ronaldo is also football’s all-time leading scorer and holds the record for the most-ever international goals, a legacy that will perhaps never be beaten.
1. Lionel Messi
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Only one man stands heads and shoulders over Cristiano Ronaldo in the 21st century and that is Argentina superstar Lionel Messi.
Messi’s career is defined by extraordinary individual and team success, with a record eight Ballon d'Or awards.
Lionel Messi made his name at Barcelona where he dazzled with his ability on the ball and scoring prowess leaving many in awe.
In fact, many believe Lionel Messi is the greatest ever player and while some may disagree, his success and talents cannot be argued.
Messi has won everything, including 10 La Liga titles, four Champions League, two Copa America and ended the GOAT debate when he led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup.
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