Football
The 2000s were a golden era for football, marked by extraordinary talent and unforgettable moments that captivated fans worldwide. This decade saw the rise of some of the most iconic players in the sport’s history, whose exceptional skills, leadership, and performances left an unforgettable mark on the game. From Ronaldinho’s dazzling dribbling to Thierry Henry’s clinical finishing, the 2000s produced a roster of football legends who not only dominated the field but also redefined the art of the game.
In this article, we will rank some of the most iconic legends of this decade and why they were the best players of that era. We will cover multiple aspects of their achievements, careers, and current relations with football. Make sure to take a look at each one, and you’ll surely learn some interesting facts about these giants. Here is a rank of the legends who marked football history and redefined how we see the sport today:
(Note: this rank is based on our personal opinion and is not an official rank)
Table of Contents
The 2000s: A Golden Era for Football
The 2000 era is frequently referred to as the golden era of the sport, and there is a series of reasons for that. It was the decade when we saw one of the most thriving World Cup final matches of all time. In 2002, Brazil showed a strategy and skill development level that had never been seen before. It was also the year when some of the most famous talents of the sport started showing their abilities, like Lionel Messi and many others, conquering a series of titles for their teams, whether in the Champions League, La Liga, or other tournaments.
Not only that, but famous clubs like Inter Milan, Manchester United, and others started to show a tactical evolution, developing new ways of playing soccer and becoming indestructible on the field. It was a very important time, especially for European football, as it created the highest level of the sport and is an undeniable force even nowadays.
The world also started to invest more in the sport’s development and media involvement. We started seeing the world cheering at football events and supporting their local teams. Whether because of Globalization or the development of higher tactical intelligence, the sport became much more popular, which is also one of the reasons why people like this era so much.
There are dozens of reasons why this is arguably the best moment in this sport’s history. But one thing is sure: whether in the 2000s, 2010s, or nowadays, the passion for football connects the entire world, and there’s always something new to surprise us, whether new names join the list of greatest footballers, new technologies, or anything else.
Best Football Players of the 2000s
Now, it’s time to delve into the rank of the best football players of the sport’s golden era. Each of these icons played a vital role in their team, bringing achievements and trophies and redefining football as we know it today.
Remember that this is our personal rank and should not be mistaken for an official grade of each player. Feel free to create your own one and compare it to see which player is the best one and why.
Here’s the official list of the players who revolutionized the sport and marked 2000 as one of the best eras of this sport:
12. Samuel Eto’o
- Age: 43 Years old
- Position: Forward
- Current Team: Retired
Eto’o is one of the most influential players of all time. The talented forward from Cameroon conquered numerous awards throughout his career and played for some of the most famous leagues in the world, including Inter Milan, Barcelona, and others.
In less than 200 games, he already consecrated his name as one of the greatest players ever, marking over 130 goals. His abilities were extraordinary, and the 2000s were definitely the era when he most showed what a legendary player he would become.
He also achieved success as one of the most valuable players on the Cameroon team for the World Cup. Some even consider him the best African player of all time in football, showing how influential his career was.
He is currently retired but still acts in the industry, whether through charity actions or other ways. His legacy helped create a new era and drive attention to how talented African players are.
11. Wayne Rooney
- Age: 38 years old
- Position: Forward/Midfielder
- Current Club: Plymouth Argyle (management)
One of the most famous names in football history is Rooney. Although he is best known for his achievements at Manchester United, his career goes far beyond the club.
He proved to be a key player in every team he played, and his senior career started when he was 17 years old. This was in February 2003, and in this beautiful game, he became England’s youngest-ever goalscorer.
During his time at the Manchester United, he also won the Champions League two times. Even though he wasn’t the FIFA Ballon d’Or winner, he was fifth in the voting sessions, showing how influential his efforts were. He collected many league titles throughout the years, including UEFA Euro 2004, European Championship, and many others.
10. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
- Age: 42 Years old
- Position: Forward
- Current Club: Retired
This wouldn’t be a list of the best football players without Ibrahimovic. The legend is a famous name in any country, whether because of his fame as one of the most aggressive players of all time or because of the numerous achievements he conquered throughout his career.
The aggressive playstyle does not apply only to football, especially when considering the athlete’s taekwondo talents. Ibrahimovic conquered a black belt in the sport and used to practice as a child in an academy named Malmö Taekwondo Club.
But his fighting career is far from being the most remarkable. When it comes to football, Ibrahimovic made some achievements that few people in history have done. He’s among twenty players to score over 500 goals during the club career. He also won a total of 34 trophies during his time as a player and is widely regarded as one of the best players in all of Europe.
Even though he is mainly reminded of his time in AC Milan, he is far from being a one-club man, playing for many of the most famous teams in the world, including Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Ajax, and many others.
9. Lionel Messi
- Age: 37 years old
- Position: Forward
- Current Club: Inter Miami
It might surprise some to see Leo Messi so “low” on this list, but it is important to remember that this is a list from the 2000s. Messi is undeniably one of the best, if not the best, football players alive, but this decade is the beginning of his successful history.
He was just a young athlete, but you could tell he was born to be the greatest right back then. At less than 20 years old, he already started collecting achievements and trophies, showing a high level of skill in every single match.
If Ibrahimovic wasn’t a one-club man, here’s the opposite. Messi played almost his entire career at Barcelona, from 2003 to 2021. His legacy to the team is unbelievable and recognized by fans worldwide.
He has the record for most goals, hat tricks, and assists in La Liga, scoring over 470 points for the Spanish team. If we consider the club and the Argentina team, the legend scored over 800 goals during his career, deserving all the recognition and awards he receives.
8. Andrés Iniesta
- Age: 40 years old
- Position: Midfielder
- Current Club: Retired
Notably, Barcelona was home to almost every one of the best players of that era, and with Iniesta, it wasn’t different. The Spanish athlete was the midfield partner every football player wanted on their team.
Even though he didn’t shine as much as other players regarding goals scored, his defense was unbeatable. Whenever he was playing for Barcelona or any other team of his career, reaching their penalty box was a true nightmare.
During his career, he conquered four UEFA Champions League Titles and nine La Ligas. Andres Iniesta collected over 30 trophies and was a vital part of the Spanish team in every World Cup he played.
7. Xavi
- Age: 44 years old
- Position: Midfielder
- Current Club: Retired
Just like Iniesta, Xavi’s primary role was to ensure space and defense for his team. Even though scoring goals wasn’t his primary focus, he collected a vast list of awards and trophies, including the 2010 FIFA World Cup, a silver medal at the 1999 Olympics, and many others.
His career started very early, and at only 11 years old, he was already part of Barcelona’s youth academy. The team was his home in both junior and senior stages, and was the first player in the team’s history to play 150 matches for the European Cup and FIFA Club Cup combined.
Winning wasn’t a challenge for him, and throughout his career, he performed incredible defenses and showed high-level strategies that made him one of the best players of the decade and a true inspiration for future generations.
6. Ronaldo
- Age: 47 years old
- Position: Striker
- Current Club: Cruzeiro (owner) and Real Valladolid (owner)
Brazil has always been a force of nature when it comes to football, being the birthplace of some of the most iconic players of all time. When talking about the 2000s and the leading names of this period, Ronaldo is undeniably one of the most influential players.
He played a vital role in every team he joined and marked history as the world-record transfer fee when he joined Barcelona in 1996. Along with the Spanish club, he also played in some of the world’s main teams, including Real Madrid, AC Milan, and others.
In 1996, he was also elected FIFA World Player of the Year, the youngest player to receive this award. At 23 years old, he had already scored over 200 goals for both club and country.
Speaking of his efforts for the Brazilian team, he was the third highest-scoring player and the youngest member of the team to win the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
5. Cristiano Ronaldo
- Age: 39 years old
- Position: Forward
- Current Club: Al Nassr
Cristiano Ronald is probably the most famous football player in the world currently and is considered by many to be the best one. Like Leo Messi, the 2000s were the beginning of his fame and legacy for the sport.
Known for his remarkable achievements at Real Madrid, CR7 has one of the most impeccable careers, conquering dozens of titles. This can be seen especially when considering the athlete has already won five Ballon d’Or awards, four European Golden Shoes, and tons of others.
He currently holds the record for most appearances, assists, and goals in the Champions League, scoring 140 goals in 183 games. There’s nothing this man can not do, and he is one of the only players in the world to score almost 1,000 goals during his senior career (890 currently).
4. Thierry Henry
- Age: 47 years old
- Position: Forward/Midfield
- Current Club: Retired
Thierry Henry has one of the most brilliant careers when it comes to European football. The French player has always been a symbol of strength and strategy, conquering awards in every league he joined. He is considered by many to be one of Europe’s greatest strikers and also one of the best players to ever play in the UEFA Champions League, winning the competition multiple times.
The most remarkable team of his career was Arsenal, where he conquered numerous awards and indications to Ballon d’Or. He was even named by the team as the club’s greatest player of all time.
After a successful career as a player, Henry also managed some of the main teams in the world, including Arsenal, as their coach, and even the France team for the World Cup and the 2024 Olympics.
3. Kaka
- Age: 42 years old
- Position: Attacking Midfielder
- Current Club: Retired
Another Brazilian legend who marked the 2000s football world was Kaká. His glittering career took AC Milan to a high level of football and strategy, conquering numerous titles and becoming one of the world’s central teams in the sport.
His debut in professional football happened in 2001 when he joined São Paulo for the first time. His career quickly skyrocketed due to his impressive abilities both mechanically and strategically. Most people believe the footballer achieved his pinnacle when playing for AC Milan, and that’s undoubtedly the team that gave him the spotlight so the entire world could see each ability he had to offer as a player.
He won numerous titles, including the 2002 FIFA World Cup and many others, making him one of the most successful Brazilian players of all time. In addition to his history with AC Milan, he has played for Orlando City, Real Madrid, and others.
2. Zinedine Zidane
- Age: 52 years
- Position: Midfielder
- Current Club: Retired
The second place on this list couldn’t go for no other than the legend: Zidane. The French player revolutionized football in every aspect possible.
His efforts in football are still remembered to this day, whether in his career as a player or manager. But the 2000s are definitely when he shined the most.
He conquered many titles in the proven time and became one of the best players for Real Madrid and the France team. Even though he was a midfielder, he scored as many goals as some of the most famous strikers from Liverpool and other teams, showing a set of skills never seen before.
The player also won numerous awards throughout his career as a player and coach, including the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 1998, 2000, and 2003. He also won a Ballon d’Or and other prizes that marked his performance and created a legacy in the sports world.
1. Ronaldinho
- Age: 44 years
- Position: Forward/Midfielder
- Current Club: Retired
There’s no doubt. The 2000s were his era, and Ronaldinho was an unstoppable force. With dazzling dribbling abilities and precise shots, he was the best player of that era and unlike any other.
He is the only player in the world to win a World Cup, a Copa América, a Confederations Cup, a Champions League, a Copa Libertadores, and a Ballon d’Or. All these achievements together gave him a very popular nickname: the wizard.
Ronaldinho was unlike any other player, mixing knowledge, strategy, and creativity to make plays and tricks no one had ever seen before. All of that made him the best player of that era and an incomparable character.
The player also crossed some of the world’s leading clubs, including Grêmio, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, and others. No one wanted to play against him. With his tricks and way of playing, there was no easy game. This made him an essential player for any team he performed for, whether against Brazilian teams like São Paulo and International or against European teams like Manchester City and Inter Milan
Become the Best Player of This Era
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