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The Most Influential Soccer Players Of The Last Decade

Keven Mawn

2025-04-22 15:52:58

The Most Influential Soccer Players Of The Last Decade — Crédit: Antoine Dellenbach/commons.wikimedia.org

Goals speak louder than words, but legacy echoes through generations. The last decade has gifted us with matches that felt more like art than sport, moments of brilliance that seemed impossible until they happened right before our eyes. This collection spotlights 15 extraordinary individuals who, apart from playing soccer, transformed the whole game. How? Through sheer will, incredible talent, and relentless innovation. We all agree that they've inspired millions of kids to dream bigger, and some of us, too. They changed how teams approach the tactical side of the game and brought joy to billions of fans worldwide. The rivalries, the comebacks, the last-minute winners—simply amazing! Like David Beckham once said, “The reason I succeed is that I've never been afraid to fail.” These players and their vast journeys remind us that greatness isn't just about natural talent but about continuous improvement, adaptability, and an unquenchable hunger to push boundaries. Here, we look at those features that make them stand out in a sport filled with talent. It could be their achievements, performance, goals, or a lot more. So, settle in as we celebrate the personalities who've shaped soccer's most exhilarating decade yet.

1. Lionel Messi

The Argentine maestro's left foot has been compared to a magic wand, and for good reason. Since 2013, Messi has claimed four Ballon d'Or awards, bringing his total to eight—more than any player in history. His statistical dominance is staggering: 672 goals for Barcelona before his 2021 move to Paris Saint-Germain, where he helped secure the Ligue 1 title before finally achieving his dream of World Cup glory with Argentina in 2022. But of course, Messi's influence extends beyond numbers to his playing style.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo

Five Champions League titles tell only part of Ronaldo's remarkable story. What distinguishes the Portuguese phenomenon is his reinvention. He jumped from Manchester United's tricky winger to Real Madrid's unstoppable goalscorer to Juventus' veteran talisman. According to FIFA statistics, Ronaldo scored over 800 career goals, becoming the first player in five World Cups. His physical preparation has revolutionized the sport, with his strict diet, sleep regimen, and training routine becoming the template for modern professionals. Not to mention Ronaldo's CR7 brand, which has undoubtedly transcended football.

3. Neymar Jr.

With his flamboyant skills and infectious personality, Neymar has carried the torch of Brazilian soccer's joyful tradition. The São Paulo native's 2017 transfer from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain shattered records at €222 million. Yes, this is still the highest fee ever paid for a player! His partnership with Messi and Suárez at Barcelona produced one of history's most lethal attacking trios, scoring 364 goals across three seasons. According to a marketing analysis by Nielsen Sports, Neymar ranks among the top three most marketable athletes globally.

4. Kylian Mbappé

Here comes the French phenomenon who announced himself to the world at the 2018 World Cup. He ultimately became the youngest player since Pelé to score in a final. His pace is frightening, as he clocked at 38 km/h during matches, making him faster than Olympic sprinters over short distances. Unlike many young talents, Mbappé has consistently delivered, averaging around 30 goals per season since his breakthrough. His decision to remain at Paris Saint-Germain rather than join Real Madrid in 2022 shocked the entire soccer world.

5. Robert Lewandowski

Scoring five goals in only 9 minutes in 2015 against Wolfsburg remains one of the most extraordinary feats in football history. The Polish striker's journey began with Lech Poznan. Lewandowski's professionalism goes beyond the pitch thought. He completed a master's degree in physical education while playing professionally and employs a sleep coach to maximize his performance. During the 2019-2020 season, he scored in 19 consecutive matches across all competitions. Also, according to Opta Sports, his goal-per-minute ratio since 2013 is the best of any player in Europe's top five leagues.

6. Kevin De Bruyne

This Manchester City midfield has redefined the assist concept. Do you agree? De Bruyne reportedly registered 100 Premier League assists since joining City in 2015. His vision allows him to execute passes others wouldn't even attempt. Especially those outside-of-the-boot crosses have become his signature. Before flourishing under Pep Guardiola, De Bruyne was deemed surplus to requirements at Chelsea. This made his rise even more remarkable. The player’s technical perfection is complemented by surprising physical strength, enabling him to dominate matches for a full 90 minutes.

7. Virgil Van Dijk

Dijk arrived in January 2018 for around £75 million, the most considerable amount ever paid for a defender at the time. And guess what? Liverpool's defensive makeover came at the same time. His impact was immediate and quantifiable: Suddenly, the same Liverpool, which was conceding 1.2 goals per game, transitioned to just 0.6 after his signing. Standing at 6'4 with superb speed, Dijk went 65 games without being dribbled past, a streak spanning almost two seasons. An ACL injury in 2020 sidelined him for about a year, yet his return to the elite level underscored his mental fortitude.

8. Sergio Ramos

His record of 22 straight successful penalties between 2018 and 2020 demonstrated amazing mental strength under pressure. Remember when Ramos scored the most important equalizer in the 93rd minute of the 2014 final against Atletico Madrid? Though primarily a defender, Ramos has scored 101 goals in his career—more than many forwards achieve. However, his disciplinary record tells another story. With 20 red cards in La Liga, he holds the dubious honor of most dismissals in Europe's top five leagues. Note that Ramos captained Real Madrid through their most successful periods.

9. Mohamed Salah

Talk about; The Egyptian King!” This man arrived at Liverpool in 2017 from Roma for what now seems an absurdly modest £36.9 million. He scored a total of 30 goals in his debut season. Interestingly, a study by Stanford University found that anti-Muslim hate crimes decreased by nearly 19% in Merseyside after his signing. Salah’s playing style is a combination of blistering pace with precise finishing, predominantly cutting inside from the right wing onto his left foot. This icon has surpassed 30 goals in two of his six Liverpool seasons.

10. N'Golo Kanté

Football's most unassuming superstar accomplished the remarkable feat of winning back-to-back Premier League titles with different clubs—Leicester City in their 5000-1 miracle season and Chelsea the following year. Kanté takes over his defensive midfield position through intelligent positioning rather than physical dominance. His ground coverage is just legendary! Tracking data from the 2018-19 season showed he covered an average of 12.2 kilometers per match. Chelsea teammates even joke that playing with Kanté feels like having an extra player on the field.

11. Luka Modrić

Croatian genius Modrić broke the decade-long Messi-Ronaldo stranglehold on the Ballon d'Or in 2018. This occurred after his inspirational World Cup campaign (July 2018), where he led Croatia to their first-ever final. For him, it all started with humble origins, developing his skills while growing up in a war-torn region as a refugee. At Real Madrid, Modrić has orchestrated five Champions League triumphs with his exceptional passing range and game intelligence. In spite of being labeled «the worst signing of the season» after his first year in Spain, he silenced critics by becoming the club's midfield metronome.

12. Erling Haaland

His physical attributes combine to create the perfect modern striker. 6'5 height, explosive acceleration, and surprising technical ability. This goal machine shattered the Premier League scoring record in his debut season as he netted 36 goals in just 35 matches. Before turning 23, Haaland had already scored 200+ career goals, with a Champions League record of 35 goals in his first 30 appearances. His trademark celebration—the zen pose—has become instantly recognizable worldwide. Haaland’s goal-per-minute ratio is unprecedented in top-flight football, scoring approximately every 84 minutes, according to UEFA statistics.

13. Megan Rapinoe

With Rapinoe at the helm, the USA secured back-to-back Women's World Cup wins in 2015 and 2019. She bagged the Golden Boot and Golden Ball in the latter tournament. Her signature «victory pose» celebration during the 2019 World Cup became a cultural phenomenon, symbolizing unapologetic confidence. Rapinoe’s playing style blends technical flair with tactical intelligence, specializing in set pieces. In 2019, this superstar became the second woman footballer to win the Ballon d'Or. She indeed had a distinguished career before retiring in 2023.

14. Sam Kerr

Next is Australia's record goalscorer, Sam Kerr! She has literally dominated women's soccer across three continents, scoring prolifically in Australia's W-League, America's NWSL, and England's Women's Super League. According to FIFA analytics, Kerr's movement off the ball ranks in the 99th percentile among forwards, demonstrating her intelligence beyond goalscoring. Her backflip celebration has become her trademark after finding the net more than 220 times in her professional career. Kerr's role in growing women's football in Australia cannot be overstated. After all, television viewership for the Matildas matches increased by 320% following her rise to prominence.

15. Karim Benzema

At the age of 34, the French striker's transition from Cristiano Ronaldo's backup to Madrid's star player culminated in his 2022 Ballon d'Or victory. Benzema’s technical sophistication distinguishes him from pure goalscorers. His first touch has literally been described as «velvet» by coaches and analysts alike. After Ronaldo's 2018 departure, Benzema enhanced his game like crazy, scoring 131 goals in five seasons. Besides, he directed Madrid to multiple Champions League titles as captain. Undoubtedly, he ranks in Real Madrid's top five all-time for both goals and assists, which proves his dual-threat capability.