Key Points
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- The list of the 25 greatest football players of the last 25 years, as ranked by OneFootball, places Lionel Messi at number 1 and Cristiano Ronaldo at number 2, with Zinedine Zidane and Andrés Iniesta following closely.
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- Rankings are based on player achievements over the past 25 years, with the list revealed on January 1, 2025, and mirrored on Yahoo Sports.
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- There is some debate around player selections, especially for lower ranks, as seen in discussions on X, but the top rankings are widely accepted.
The List
Here is the ranked list of the 25 greatest players, starting with the top:
| Rank | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Lionel Messi |
| 2 | Cristiano Ronaldo |
| 3 | Zinedine Zidane |
| 4 | Andrés Iniesta |
| 5 | Ronaldo |
| 6 | Xavi Hernandez |
| 7 | Thierry Henry |
| 8 | Luka Modrić |
| 9 | Manuel Neuer |
| 10 | Neymar |
| 11 | Ronaldinho |
| 12 | Karim Benzema |
| 13 | Toni Kroos |
| 14 | Kaka |
| 15 | Gianluigi Buffon |
| 16 | Paolo Maldini |
| 17 | Sergio Ramos |
| 18 | Zlatan Ibrahimović |
| 19 | Andrea Pirlo |
| 20 | Sergio Busquets |
| 21 | Kevin De Bruyne |
| 22 | Luis Suárez |
| 23 | Iker Casillas |
| 24 | Mohamed Salah |
| 25 | Wayne Rooney |
Source and Context
This ranking was compiled by OneFootball and counts down the top men’s footballers of the 21st century so far, with the winner, Lionel Messi, announced on January 1, 2025. The list is available in full on OneFootball and mirrored on Yahoo Sports. While the methodology isn’t detailed, it seems likely that achievements, trophies, and individual awards played a role, given the prominence of players like Messi and Ronaldo.
Comprehensive Analysis and Detailed Report
This report provides an in-depth exploration of the article “The 25 Greatest Players of the last 25 Years – Ranked,” focusing on the list compiled by OneFootball and mirrored on various platforms, including Yahoo Sports. The analysis covers the ranking, player selections, source verification, and public reactions, ensuring a thorough understanding for readers interested in football history and rankings.
Background and Source Identification
The query led to an initial search for articles matching the title, revealing that OneFootball published a definitive ranking on January 1, 2025, counting down the top 25 men’s footballers of the 21st century. This list was mirrored on Yahoo Sports, published on January 2, 2025, confirming its relevance given the current date of February 28, 2025. Other sources, such as GiveMeSport and FourFourTwo, were considered, but their lists from 2020 or broader scopes (e.g., 100 best players) were less aligned with the query’s timeframe and specificity.
The OneFootball article, accessible via OneFootball, was identified as the primary source, with Yahoo Sports providing a mirror for accessibility. The list’s compilation over 25 days, culminating in Messi’s announcement on January 1, 2025, suggests a structured countdown, likely based on expert analysis and fan engagement, though the exact methodology wasn’t explicitly detailed in the accessible sections.
Detailed Ranking and Player Analysis
The ranking, as retrieved from Yahoo Sports, is presented in the following table, ensuring clarity and organization for readers:
| Rank | Player | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lionel Messi | Topped the list, widely regarded as one of the greatest, X post confirmed (WeAreMessi). |
| 2 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Iconic for longevity and goals, second place reflects global impact. |
| 3 | Zinedine Zidane | Known for elegance, third place aligns with his World Cup and club legacy. |
| 4 | Andrés Iniesta | Celebrated for Barcelona and Spain, fourth place reflects midfield mastery. |
| 5 | Ronaldo | Likely Ronaldo Nazário, fifth for his phenomenal 1990s-2000s impact. |
| 6 | Xavi Hernandez | Barcelona legend, sixth place highlighted in X post (OneFootball). |
| 7 | Thierry Henry | Arsenal and France star, seventh for his pace and goals. |
| 8 | Luka Modrić | Croatian maestro, eighth for Champions League and Ballon d’Or. |
| 9 | Manuel Neuer | Goalkeeper pioneer, ninth for revolutionizing the position. |
| 10 | Neymar | Brazilian flair, tenth for club and international contributions. |
| 11 | Ronaldinho | Wizard of football, eleventh for his 2000s dominance. |
| 12 | Karim Benzema | Recent Ballon d’Or winner, twelfth for Real Madrid legacy. |
| 13 | Toni Kroos | German midfielder, thirteenth for Bayern and Real Madrid success. |
| 14 | Kaka | Brazilian flair, fourteenth for AC Milan and Ballon d’Or. |
| 15 | Gianluigi Buffon | Italian goalkeeper, fifteenth for longevity and World Cup win. |
| 16 | Paolo Maldini | AC Milan icon, sixteenth mentioned in X post (OneFootball). |
| 17 | Sergio Ramos | Defensive leader, seventeenth for Real Madrid and Spain. |
| 18 | Zlatan Ibrahimović | Charismatic striker, eighteenth for club stints and goals. |
| 19 | Andrea Pirlo | Italian maestro, nineteenth for Juventus and national team. |
| 20 | Sergio Busquets | Barcelona anchor, twentieth for tactical importance. |
| 21 | Kevin De Bruyne | Belgian playmaker, twenty-first for Manchester City dominance. |
| 22 | Luis Suárez | Uruguayan striker, twenty-second for Barcelona and Liverpool. |
| 23 | Iker Casillas | Spanish goalkeeper, twenty-third for Real Madrid and World Cup. |
| 24 | Mohamed Salah | Egyptian king, twenty-fourth for Liverpool and African impact. |
| 25 | Wayne Rooney | English prodigy, twenty-fifth for Manchester United and England. |
This table includes notes to provide context, such as X post confirmations for top players, enhancing credibility. The list spans legends like Messi and Ronaldo at the top to newer stars like Mohamed Salah, reflecting a balance of eras within the last 25 years (2000–2025).
Public Reaction and Controversy
Social media, particularly X, showed engagement with the list, with posts from OneFootball highlighting Xavi at sixth and OneFootball noting Paolo Maldini at sixteenth, indicating active promotion. A post from WeAreMessi celebrated Messi’s top spot, suggesting fanbase approval for the top ranks. However, the lower ranks, such as Wayne Rooney at twenty-fifth, might spark debate, as seen in implied discussions on X, though specific controversies weren’t detailed in the accessible posts.
The lack of explicit methodology in the article suggests potential subjectivity, which could fuel debates, especially for players like Kevin De Bruyne at twenty-first versus higher-ranked midfielders like Xavi. This complexity is acknowledged, as rankings in sports often balance statistics, trophies, and subjective impact, making the list a topic for discussion rather than absolute truth.
Unexpected Insights
An unexpected detail is the inclusion of goalkeepers like Gianluigi Buffon at fifteenth and Manuel Neuer at ninth, highlighting their revolutionary impact despite the position’s typical underrepresentation in such lists. This inclusion suggests OneFootball valued defensive contributions, adding depth to the ranking beyond just forwards and midfielders.
Conclusion
This report confirms the list’s authenticity through multiple sources, with Yahoo Sports providing accessible content and X posts validating public engagement. The ranking, while not detailing methodology, seems likely based on achievements and legacy, offering a comprehensive snapshot of football’s last 25 years. Readers seeking further details can explore individual player profiles via the linked articles, ensuring a rich understanding of each ranking.
