Top 10 Famous Football Players on the World - Currently Ranked

Often referred to as the most beautiful sport in our generation, football is a world where the legends of different eras have graced us with their talent, drive, and flair. And to this day, we continue to witness greatness both on and off the pitch. These players redefine the sport while inspiring millions of fans worldwide.

From breathtaking dribbles to tactical understanding of the game, over the years, we have seen many players coming from the best leagues around the world who have brought something different with them, and it has stayed with us throughout the years. From last-minute goals that won matches to unmatched dedication off the field, football has it all. And some players were more famous than others due to their charisma, dedication, and talent. In this post, we will take a look at the 10 famous football players in the world who have allowed us to witness greatness with their performances.

List of Famous Footballers

The table below names the top 10 famous football players in world who have conquered the football world with their gameplay and personality. These players are ranked completely on the ranking factors, which are explained below.

How We Ranked the Most Famous Football Players?

Before we examine a detailed list of the 10 most famous football players in the world, let us understand the ranking factors that have helped us compile this list today.

• Trophies & Achievements: Individual honors, along with team titles and records that solidified their place in history, are considered a top priority in this list of famous football players.
• Social Media Following: To strengthen the ranking of famous players, we have also considered the social media following of the aforementioned famous football players.
• Individual Honours: Apart from team trophies and achievements, we have also considered individual honours earned by players to rank them in our list of the famous football players in the world.
• Career Stats: One of the most important factors while ranking famous football players was their career stats and how influential they were in the respective teams they played for.
• Legacy: Last but not least, we have also ranked the players based on their legacy they left or are building, which has redefined the sport or the position, making them stand apart from others.

Who are the Top 10 Famous Football Players in 2025?

Now that you are aware of the ranking factors we have considered to make this list, here are the 10 most famous football players in the world in descending order with their brief profiles.

10. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Retired)

The Swedish forward has written history in every club he has been in. From the Netherlands to Italy, his journey allowed him to play for many clubs and under many coaches. Naturally, King Zlatan has won many trophies across different major leagues in the world, including the richest league EPL. If you think his confident mentality is limited to his time in front of the camera, you would be wrong.

The Swedish forward has scored some of the world's class goals, thanks to his sheer confidence and commitment to deliver on promises. As of right now, Zlatan has 63 million+ followers on Instagram and is associated with Volvo and Samsung, along with other endorsement deals. Moreover, he has business interests with A to Z Sportswear and is a well-known celebrity across the globe.

9. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool | Egypt)

This list is not complete without mentioning the Egyptian King. Yes, we are talking about none other than Liverpool's very own player and one of the best right-wingers in the world. The Egyptian has been integral in Liverpool’s success from Jurgen Klopp’s era, all the way to Arne Slot’s tenure, playing a significant role in making Liverpool the most successful club in EPL history. The winger has fitted into every system the manager has implemented.

In the 2024-25 campaign, he had the best individual season of his career, which makes him one of the favorites to win the Ballon d’Or. However, due to a loss in the knockout stages of the UCL and losing the domestic cup ties, chances are the Egyptian might not be able to make a strong case for himself. Still, his G/A contributions have been sky high. And even though he is an active player in the squad, he is considered to be one of the faces in the Mount Rushmore of Liverpool.

8. Sergio Ramos (Monterrey | Spain)

In the history of Spanish Football, to this day, if there is one man who was the symbol of defensive elegance and leadership, it is the fearless defender Sergio Ramos. He is one of those rare defenders who has an amazing goal tally as well, despite playing as a center-back. His consistency has been right up there, especially the two decades he played for Real Madrid. Ramos is indeed one of the best defenders of our generation, winning multiple international and domestic accolades.

Ramos’s contributions go way beyond club competitions. He was an important figure in the Spanish football dynasty that started in 2008 and ended in 2014. Outside of the pitch, Ramos is a family man, often seen spending time with his family. He has ventured into business and is a popular figure in the media with 66 million+ followers on Instagram. Ramos is associated with many brands, such as Pepe Jeans and Gatorade.

7. Paolo Maldini (Retired)

One of the G.O.A.T.s in football, who popularised the defensive position, Paolo Maldini, is ranked 7th in our list of the most famous football players. The Italian goon is popularly known by the name of Il Capitano for his leadership at one of the most prestigious clubs in the world. He is also considered the most loyal football player to ever step onto the pitch. For AC Milan, Maldini played over 900 matches, making him a club legend.

However, his defensive work didn't get much appreciation in his era, keeping him out of the race for the Ballon d'Or. Talking about his social media presence, Maldini has approximately 4 million followers on Instagram, the lowest among other players on the list shows he likes to keep his life private after he hung up his boots in the year 2009.

6. Ronaldinho (Retired)

Known as the Brazilian magician, Ronaldinho Gaucho, brought joy to football fans around the world on and off the pitch. His creative and flair-filled style of play is adored by fans around the world. Ronnie played for European giants like PSG, Milan, and Barcelona. The Brazilian was famous for his dribbling and quick thinking on the pitch. Ronaldinho’s playing style is all-around entertaining.

Moreover, his charming smile, along with a joyful approach towards the game, won many hearts around the world. Ronaldinho won the 2002 FIFA World Cup with Brazil, along with many club silverware, like the UEFA Champions League and other titles. Similar to his fun personality on the pitch, Ronaldinho maintained a colorful lifestyle outside the pitch, enjoying his time at parties and festivals. From his R10 futsal brand to Nike, Ronaldinho Gaucho, boasting 77 million followers on Instagram, is still associated with big brands even to this day.

5. David Beckham (Retired)

Known as one of the glamorous footballers of his era, David Beckham makes this list today due to his footballing career, along with his life outside the pitch. The former Man United sensation had kept the Premier League fans on their toes before making a move to La Liga to be one of the key elements behind the team of Galacticos. From iconic last-minute free kicks to win matches to pinpoint passes,

One of the generational talents, David Beckham, still takes part in charity matches and is often seen enjoying football games from the stands. While his footballing career has treated him well, after he hung up his boots, his influence in Inter Miami and in MLS has played an important part in the development. Safe to say, it was his approach that convinced the GOAT Messi to grace Major League Soccer with his presence. The 3rd-ranked player in our list of the most handsome players in the world has a following of around 85 million on Instagram, making him stand tall amongst others on the list of famous football players.

4. Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid | France)

Let us take a look at a player of this generation who has taken the world by storm with his performances at an early age. Yes, we are talking about none other than the French superstar Kylian Mbappe. While the Frenchman is adapting to the competition and the landscape of La Liga right now, his spell at PSG has been nothing short of impressive. Additionally, in his debut season for the richest club in the world, he earned the Golden Boot award.

While still young, Kylian understands what it is like to be a role model for many young players and tends to lead by example. Boasting a staggering 125 million+ followers, the Real Madrid forward often shares glimpses of his footballing career along with his private moments. From Nike to EA Sports, the French World Cup Winner is associated with many big names in the business world.

3. Neymar Jr. (Santos FC | Brazil)

Neymar da Silva Santos Junior is the prince of football, became one of the most famous football players through his entertaining performances at Santos FC. To this date, he is one of the greatest dribblers on the ball the world has seen. He played in Barcelona and PSG before making a move to Saudi and then back to Brazil.

Both in France and Spain, Neymar has won multiple league titles. Moreover, he led Brazil to victory in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2021 Copa America and played a crucial part in Barcelona’s treble-winning campaign in 2015. Neymar is a social media icon with 229 million followers who engage with the footballer on a regular basis. His life outside football is all about his love for fashion, luxury, and spending time with family and friends. The Brazilian legend is associated with Red Bull, Puma, Qatar Airways, and many other brands.

2. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami | Argentina)

The GOAT, Lionel Messi, is a legend of Argentina and Barcelona. Born in Rosario, he spent the majority of his career in the best club in the world FC Barcelona, before moving to PSG and then eventually going to Inter Miami. Thanks to his low-center gravity and exceptional ball control & dribbling skills, Messi has wowed us with his performances for over 15 years now. The Argentine maestro has amazing dribbling, creativity, and the ability to read the game.

While so far Messi’s life outside the pitch was all about playing football and spending time with family, after his move to Inter Miami, Messi’s clan has been involved in multiple business ventures. Moreover, the Argentine is a significant figure in philanthropy, especially through the Leo Messi Foundation. The Argentine has 506 million+ followers on Instagram. While La Pulga is associated with Adidas and Gatorade, along with other major endorsement deals, after his move to Miami, he has stepped foot into many business ventures as well.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr | Portugal)

Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese Icon, is the most famous footballer in the world. Ronaldo’s story is all about discipline and hard work that led to greatness. He has become synonymous with athleticism, excellence, and determination. Beginning his career at Sporting CP, Ronaldo shot to fame with Manchester United, and later with Real Madrid, Juventus, and now in Al Nassr.

Off the field, Cristiano has millions of followers. He now has a YouTube channel as well, where he hosts many guests and is involved in various philanthropic causes, and owns a lot of businesses, along with being the face of many sportswear brands. As of now, Cristiano is rocking 650 million plus followers on Instagram, making him one of the famous football players in the world. Additionally, he has over 75 million subscribers on his YouTube channel. From big brands like Nike and Herbalife to personal brands, Cristiano has a lot of endorsement deals.