Wingers: Yamal, Salah, Pulisic, more

Wing is simply a presumption of trickery, showmanship and skill. Whether beating opponents for gait oregon connected the dribble, roaming freely infield to instrumentality high-quality shots oregon hugging the touchlines to supply cleanable balls for teammates, the helping is nary spot for the timid. These are your showboats, scorers and free-roaming forces of nature.

Though plentifulness of teams person accepted wide forwards, emerging stars specified arsenic Lamine Yamal and Désiré Doué person shown determination is plentifulness of payment to having fast, forward-thinking players successful wide positions. Blessed with gait and persistence to bushed their markers and marque it to the byline for a cut-back cross, oregon getting into scoring position, they are a menace for opponents and a delight for fans.

All stats provided by ESPN Research; each ages and teams close arsenic of June 1.

The 2024-25 FC 100, presumption by position

Go to: Goalkeeper | Fullbacks | Center backs | Defensive/central midfielders | Attacking midfielders | Wingers |Center forwards

20. Bryan MBEUMO, Brentford/Cameroon, 25

What makes him special: He has been a exemplary of consistency arsenic a extremity scorer for Brentford.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all forwards): Unranked.

One cardinal stat: Third successful Premier League with 27 extremity contributions this season.

Why he's connected the list: Few clubs are capable to place reliable scorers arsenic consistently arsenic Brentford, and Mbeumo has followed successful the footsteps of Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney to go the main attacking menace for manager Thomas Frank's team. The Cameroon planetary has pace, spot and a calmness successful beforehand of extremity that has delivered 19 goals successful 37 Premier League appearances this season. Alongside Yoane Wissa, Mbeumo has formed 1 of the champion onslaught partnerships successful the Premier League with the Bees.

What helium says: "I didn't truly expect it. I cognize I person had a bully season, but I was amazed erstwhile I've seen my sanction there." -- Mbeumo, erstwhile asked astir being nominated for the Premier League Player of the Season

What they say: "I'm the caput coach, I privation my champion players to enactment forever. I cognize that Bryan is precise blessed being present astatine Brentford, he's thriving, doing good and playing fantastic. What happens successful the future? I don't know. I've said galore times: We are a selling club. But I'm precise blessed he's here, and I'm convinced that Bryan volition inactive beryllium blessed playing shot here." -- Thomas Frank

What's next: With Manchester United keen to motion Mbeumo this summertime -- his Brentford declaration expires astatine the extremity of adjacent play -- and truthful a determination seems inevitable. Brentford marque nary concealed of the information that they're ever prepared to offload prima players if the connection is reasonable, and it appears Mbeumo volition beryllium next. -- Mark Ogden

19. Giuliano SIMEONE, Atlético Madrid/Argentina, 22

What makes him special: A nepo baby? Forget it. Simeone is present 1 of Atlético's astir influential players and has genuinely earned it.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all forwards): Unranked.

One cardinal stat: Led each LaLiga attackers with 11.8 kilometers covered per crippled (fourth champion among each players).

Why he's connected the list: Nobody embodies Atlético's hard-working, all-for-one ethos much than Simeone. It's unsurprising fixed his dad, Diego, is the coach. The 22-year-old has taken a slow, dependable way to the top, with seasonlong indebtedness spells astatine Real Zaragoza and Alavés, but successful 2024-25 helium took a elephantine leap forward, making Atlético's right-wing spot his own. You cognize precisely what you're going to get from him -- namely, tireless moving -- but determination has besides been plentifulness of extremity product, arsenic Simeone has created 11 large chances for Atlético successful LaLiga this season. Only Antoine Griezmann has more. The adjacent measurement is scoring much goals -- helium managed 5 successful each nine competitions this season.

Simeone's champion infinitesimal successful 2025? Playing, and scoring, successful Argentina's joyous 4-1 thrashing of Brazil. He has done capable to suggest that helium could beryllium an Atlético starter for the adjacent decade; helium mightiness go a regular for his country, too.

What helium says: "People sometimes deliberation [the Simeone surname] is simply a burden, but I don't spot it similar that. I'm arrogant to beryllium my father's son."

What they say: "Honestly, I didn't expect him to execute similar this. I thought helium could assistance us, I thought helium could beryllium portion of the squad, but he's having a precise bully play and let's anticipation helium tin support it up. Nobody has talented him anything, and cipher will." -- Diego Simeone

What's next: He volition play astatine the Club World Cup, past look to further cement his spot successful the Atlético starting XI arsenic good arsenic triumph a spot successful the Argentina squad for the 2026 World Cup. -- Alex Kirkland

18. Christian PULISIC, AC Milan/United States, 26

What makes him special: Versatile, accordant and hard-working, with capable stardust to merit the "Captain America" moniker.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all forwards): 28

One cardinal stat: Tied for 4th successful Serie A with 20 extremity contributions this season.

Why he's connected the list: At 26, he's acold and distant the astir palmy U.S.-born subordinate successful European history, eclipsing everyone successful some appearances and goals. He has consistently delivered goals and assists for Milan since moving determination successful summertime 2023, and adjacent successful a disappointing twelvemonth for the club, Pulisic has been fashionable among fans and productive connected the transportation -- arguably the club's champion subordinate alongside midfielder Tijjani Reijnders. And helium has done it with the monolithic value of anticipation enactment connected him by U.S. shot media 1 twelvemonth distant from the World Cup, which volition beryllium hosted by the U.S., Mexico and Canada.

What helium says: "I deliberation -- I anticipation -- that we're going to beryllium capable to physique thing present with U.S. Soccer, wherever it's not conscionable going to beryllium astir 1 mislaid lucifer oregon 1 mislaid rhythm oregon 1 mislaid team. It's going to beryllium astir an full state rallying astir an full athletics successful a mode that lasts."

What they say: "He gave up his assemblage for his country" -- Former U.S. planetary Alexi Lalas

What's next: With 2 years near connected his contract, it's clip to speech astir an extension, but with uncertainty implicit who volition manager the Rossoneri adjacent twelvemonth -- and the information that they didn't suffice for the Champions League -- he's successful nary rush. The 2026 World Cup connected location ungraded volition beryllium a defining infinitesimal for him and a twelvemonth astatine Milan, without midweek football, could spot him participate the tourney caller and afloat fit. -- Gab Marcotti

17. Cody GAKPO, Liverpool/Netherlands, 26

What makes him special: Has the cleanable blend of serenity and explosiveness, which helped him play a captious relation successful Liverpool's surge to the title.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all forwards): Unranked.

One cardinal stat: His 24 extremity contributions crossed each competitions this play was 2nd astir for Liverpool (behind Mohamed Salah).

Why he's connected the list: By the extremity of past season, Gakpo's semipermanent aboriginal astatine Liverpool looked uncertain. He struggled for signifier during Jürgen Klopp's last months astatine the club, and radical were starting to question whether helium had what it took to beryllium a standout performer successful the Premier League. Having managed 18 goals and six assists successful each competitions this term, it's just to accidental the Netherlands planetary has answered his critics. Under caller manager Arne Slot, Gakpo has proved to beryllium the antheral for the large occasion, scoring against the likes of Manchester City and Manchester United.

What helium says: "No substance wherever you start, you tin gain thing done hard work. Never undervalue yourself. And erstwhile the going gets pugnacious and the imagination feels a beingness away? Put your caput down and get to work. That's the communicative of our play successful a nutshell."

What they say: "He does everything. Now helium tin play successful a fig of positions. He's gone up different level." -- Former Liverpool and England subordinate Joe Cole

What's next: Targeting 20 goals successful each competitions should beryllium his adjacent aim. -- Beth Lindop

16. Rafael LEÃO, AC Milan/Portugal, 25

What makes him special: His upside is astir limitless if helium tin find consistency.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all forwards): 14

One cardinal stat: One of lone 4 players with eight-plus goals and eight-plus assists successful Serie A this season.

Why he's connected the list: Leao is truthful talented -- some technically and athletically -- that adjacent erstwhile helium has a down season, he's inactive productive. Case successful point: 2024-25 was not a large season, though the Portugal planetary inactive deed treble figures successful some goals and assists crossed each competitions. He's fast, beardown and a mazy, intoxicating dribbler who tin besides finish. There's a bully crushed wherefore helium drew comparisons with a young Cristiano Ronaldo aboriginal successful his career.

The flip broadside is that Leao is inconsistent, and his enactment disconnected the shot is often lackluster. The information that helium plays with a imperishable grin connected his look astir apt doesn't assistance him, either, due to the fact that immoderate reason that helium doesn't care. But helium does care, and if helium tin harnesses that potential, helium tin beryllium a top-10 subordinate successful the world.

What helium says: "Smiling is my mode of living. It's my mode of warring backmost against those who onslaught me."

What they say: "I've known him since helium was 12, and of each the players who person travel done Sporting's academy, conscionable 1 could lucifer him for talent: Cristiano Ronaldo." -- Former Sporting younker manager Tiago Fernandes

What's next: At 25, the anticipation is for him to fulfill his potential. Milan judge successful him, securing him to a declaration done 2028 with a hefty merchandise clause (rumored to beryllium northbound of €150 million). That means helium astir apt would determination lone connected if helium lives up to his accomplishment acceptable and Milan get a monster offer. If helium doesn't, they'll proceed to wait. -- Gab Marcotti

15. Ademola LOOKMAN, Atalanta/Nigeria, 27

What makes him special: A direct, goal-scoring winger with gait to burn.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all forwards): Unranked.

One cardinal stat: He was 3rd successful Serie A with 59 chances created this season.

Why he's connected the list: If the satellite didn't cognize astir Lookman earlier the 2024 Europa League final, they bash now. All-conquering German champions Bayer Leverkusen were expected to cruise to different occurrence successful Dublin, but that was earlier Lookman decided to person the crippled of his life, scoring a chapeau instrumentality successful a broad 3-0 triumph for the Italian side. Lookman besides has been prolific successful Italy, scoring astatine slightest 10 Serie A goals successful each of his 3 seasons astatine Atalanta. Five goals successful 7 Champions League games this play is besides an awesome return.

What helium says: "I've ever had the assurance successful my ability. In the past 2 years I've been capable to instrumentality my crippled to a caller level and amusement it connected a much accordant basis. Maybe it could person travel earlier, but it's travel now. I'm pleased with the advancement I've made but this is conscionable the beginning."

What they say: "Nobody could ever ideate helium could marque this overmuch progress. He wasn't overly prolific successful England. I changed his presumption to a much attacking role." -- Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini

What's next: Lookman had a mixed clip successful England with Charlton Athletic, Everton, Fulham and Leicester City, but astir summers, there's usually involvement from Premier League clubs looking to bring him back. His aboriginal successful Serie A is uncertain aft a midseason enactment with Gasperini. -- Rob Dawson

14. Désiré DOUÉ, Paris Saint-Germain/France, 19

What makes him special: The eventual replacement for Neymar. He's a magician with the shot astatine his feet, with assurance and carnal strength, and he's lone 19.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all forwards): Unranked.

One cardinal stat: Doué had 54 chances created successful Ligue 1, 3rd astir for PSG this season.

Why he's connected the list: Doué shocked the satellite successful 2025, astir retired of nowhere, with his skill, entertaining benignant and his knack for racking up goals and assists. His leader increasing up was Neymar and helium plays successful a akin mode to the Brazil star, lone without the petulance and vexation that sometimes defined his hero. Already a France international, helium tin dribble past immoderate defender with a step-over, a small hook oregon a sombrero, but helium is simply a squad subordinate who does immoderate is needed, whether successful onslaught oregon erstwhile starring the property from the front.

Doué is simply a technician with shot power you seldom spot adjacent astatine this level. He besides has crystal successful his veins, arsenic we saw erstwhile helium stepped up to people the winning punishment successful the shoutout astatine Anfield against Liverpool successful the circular of 16 of the Champions League successful February. Born into a shot household -- his brother, Guéla is besides a Ligue 1 and planetary subordinate -- helium was destined for this.

What helium says: "I person improved successful my efficiency, some defensively and besides offensively. I person amended stats and I cognize that successful modern football, it is precise important for many. There are things you don't spot much, but I person improved connected that level."

What they say: "He was astir unstoppable. People tin spot his technique, his finishing, his consciousness of his presumption betwixt the lines. That's a peculiar talent. I anticipation helium tin enactment similar this and past a agelong time." -- Former Arsenal and France striker Thierry Henry

What's next: Nobody expected Doué, astatine specified a young age, to person specified a large interaction connected the squad truthful quickly, and helium should support getting better. How acold tin helium go? His versatility surely gives Luis Enrique galore options. -- Julien Laurens

13. Bradley BARCOLA, Paris Saint-Germain/France, 22

What makes him special: His sheer gait and trickery with the shot astatine his feet is simply a peculiar combination, fueling PSG's renaissance arsenic 1 of the game's astir entertaining and dynamic teams.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all forwards): Unranked.

One cardinal stat: Barcola's 39 extremity contributions successful each competitions is 2nd astir for PSG (only Dembélé has more, with 45).

Why he's connected the list: The accomplishment of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and the detonation of Doué stole immoderate of his headlines, but Barcola's interaction connected this rampant PSG broadside going guardant has been undeniable. Just inquire Matheus Nunes. The Manchester City close backmost is inactive looking for the shot aft getting nutmegged by the erstwhile Lyon winger connected his mode to mounting up Dembélé's extremity against the Citizens successful January successful the league signifier of the Champions League.

On his time -- and determination person been galore this play -- "BB29" is unstoppable connected the dribble. You can't drawback him for speed, and his unpredictability is different peculiar element. At 22 and with lone 3 afloat seasons arsenic a pro nether his belt, there's inactive plentifulness of country for improvement.

What helium says: "I springiness my each for Paris, but I don't deliberation astir being an icon. I conscionable privation to beryllium the best, the astir accordant subordinate I tin be."

What they say: "The astir underrated subordinate for maine is Bradley, my champion assistance guy. For me, helium is 1 of Ligue 1's champion players. When helium is connected the pitch, I americium ace blessed due to the fact that I cognize helium volition marque maine score." -- PSG teammate Ousmane Dembélé

What's next: Because Barcola was rather a precocious bloomer compared to Dembélé oregon Doué, helium is inactive earthy astatine the elite level. Expect his learning curve to proceed nether manager Luis Enrique, who tin usage Barcola connected the near helping (his preferred position) oregon the right. -- Julien Laurens

12. Luis DÍAZ, Liverpool/Colombia, 28

What makes him special: Fights for each azygous ball, each azygous time. His high-energy, assertive play is indispensable to Liverpool's success.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100: 19

One cardinal stat: Díaz scored 13 Premier League goals for Liverpool this season, and became 1 of lone 4 Colombian-born players each clip with 25-plus Premier League goals.

Why he's connected the list: One of the astir fashionable chants among Liverpool fans this play has been the 1 belonging to Díaz. The Colombia planetary has enjoyed his astir productive play successful a reddish garment -- posting 17 goals and 8 assists this word -- and has further endeared himself to supporters with his unrelenting intensity. His gait and guile connected the near flank marque him a joyousness to watch, portion helium has besides shown his versatility erstwhile asked to play arsenic a much cardinal No. 9. He is 1 of respective players to spot his crippled scope different level nether manager Arne Slot.

What helium says: "People successful Liverpool person made maine consciousness similar 1 of their own. They've fixed maine truthful overmuch love. They adjacent person a opus for me, the mode they sing ... it's incredible."

What they say: "He has been astonishing for america and I deliberation helium tin inactive amended and play the mode helium plays. I deliberation consistency is cardinal and hopefully helium tin amusement during the twelvemonth what a fantastic subordinate helium is." -- Liverpool teammate Alexis Mac Allister

What's next: Díaz has 2 years near connected his Liverpool contract, which means speculation implicit his aboriginal is bound to transportation into the summer. But the 28-year-old appears keen to enactment astatine Anfield. Speaking to Telemundo Deportes successful May, Díaz said: "For me, I would enactment nevertheless galore years it takes, it besides depends connected the club, everything. These are details that are sorted retired separately. Very calm, I'm blessed and enjoying the Premier League." -- Beth Lindop

11. Michael OLISE, Bayern Munich/France, 23

What makes him special: On a Bayern squad loaded with stellar wingers, Olise showed up from Crystal Palace past summertime and instantly became the champion of the bunch.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all forwards): Unranked.

One cardinal stat: Olise led the Bundesliga with 15 assists this season, the astir successful a Bundesliga play since Thomas Müller had 18 successful 2021-22.

Why he's connected the list: The jewel of Bayern's summertime 2023 transportation haul, Olise didn't necessitate immoderate benignant of breaking-in play to get the laic of the land. In his debut play astatine the Allianz Arena, helium played astir 3,500 minutes successful each competitions and finished archetypal connected the squad successful assists (18), 2nd successful chances created (115), 2nd successful one-on-ones (225), 2nd successful fouls suffered (91), 3rd successful goals (17), 3rd successful progressive carries (376) and 4th successful progressive passes (298). After scoring double-digit league goals for the archetypal clip portion astatine Crystal Palace successful 2023-24, helium added adjacent much to the tally portion easy surpassing his vocation precocious successful assists arsenic well.

A well-rounded jock without immoderate evident holes successful his game, Olise was integral to Bayern's instrumentality to the apical of the Bundesliga successful 2024-25. And on with different younger players specified arsenic Jamal Musiala and Alphonso Davies, helium could stay 1 of the club's gathering blocks for years to come.

What helium says: "Every clip I spot the Bayern badge connected my shirt, I consciousness a portion of thing big. And I deliberation I tin beryllium satisfied with my archetypal fewer months. I privation to support improving, though, and nutrient top-level performances much consistently. I person the feeling there's a batch much to come."

What they say: "Michael is simply a cerebral player, he's a thinker. He thinks a batch and questions everything. He enjoys shot and works hard. The astir important happening I spot successful him is that he's obsessed with work." -- Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany

What's next: Though transportation rumors look to linger astir astir each high-level 23-year-old successful the world, Olise seems beauteous acceptable successful Munich. One would assume, then, that his superior absorption for 2025-26 -- too trophies, of people -- is positioning himself good for nationalist squad inclusion and participation. He made his debut for France past summertime and produced some his archetypal extremity and archetypal assistance for the squad successful March. Can helium interruption into the 2026 World Cup team? -- Bill Connelly

10. RODRYGO, Real Madrid/Brazil, 24

What makes him special: An outrageously talented subordinate who has made a wont of stepping up erstwhile it matters astir successful the Champions League.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all forwards): 16

One cardinal stat: Rodrygo was tied for second-most games with extremity and an assistance successful LaLiga this play (3), with lone Jude Bellingham having much (4).

Why he's connected the list: There are plentifulness of questions astir Rodrygo. Can helium acceptable into a Madrid broadside that includes Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Junior? Will helium ever people goals consistently capable to warrant a starting spot astatine Madrid? Should helium look to determination connected this summer, becoming the focal constituent of different team's attack? But cipher doubts Rodrygo's talent.

Former teammate Marcelo erstwhile told ESPN that Rodrygo could bash things connected the shot that he'd ne'er seen before; Bellingham says Rodrygo is the "most gifted" subordinate successful the squad. There person been real, tangible glimpses of that implicit the years -- deliberation of Rodrygo's 2 goals successful a azygous infinitesimal vs. Manchester City successful 2022 -- but they haven't travel often enough. This season, the guardant got much than capable opportunities, playing 30 LaLiga games, and scoring lone six goals earlier they dried up completely: helium has scored lone erstwhile successful each competitions since January.

In May, sources told ESPN that Rodrygo wishes to play exclusively connected the near and was bushed of being utilized arsenic a makeweight successful attack.

What helium says: "Often, I'm conscionable filling spaces. ... Is idiosyncratic missing there? Put Rodrygo in. Is idiosyncratic missing connected the right? Rodrygo. Is idiosyncratic missing arsenic No. 9? Rodrygo."

What they say: "Rodrygo is truthful underrated. The things helium tin bash with a shot ... we'll beryllium messing astir and he'll flick the shot up somehow, and you'll beryllium like, 'How did you bash that?'" -- Jude Bellingham

What's next: Sources person told ESPN that Rodrygo doesn't privation to permission Madrid and wants to perceive caller manger Xabi Alonso's plans earlier making immoderate decisions. Club president Florentino Pérez isn't keen to spot him go, either, but his tendency to play connected the near isn't apt to beryllium granted, truthful a determination mightiness beryllium champion for everyone. If that happens, there'd beryllium nary shortage of Premier League interest. -- Alex Kirkland

9. Nico WILLIAMS, Athletic Club/Spain, 22

What makes him special: Wliliams is fast, amusive and consistently affirmative with the shot astatine his feet, and has won large connected the planetary signifier with Spain.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all forwards): Unranked.

One cardinal stat: Tied with Oihan Sancet for astir goals for Athletic Club successful each competitions since the commencement of 2025 with nine.

Why he's connected the list: They've been excited astir Williams for implicit a decennary successful Bilbao. Just 22, the subordinate has inspired precocious hopes from the nine since helium started flourishing successful its academy. That anticipation was well-judged. Williams is 1 of the astir admired forwards successful satellite football, with conscionable astir each nine keen connected bringing successful the Spain international. He shone for his federation astatine Euro 2024 and scored successful the final, and helium besides helped extremity Athletic's 40-year hold for a large trophy erstwhile they won the Copa del Rey successful April 2024.

Some younger siblings conflict to interruption retired of their older brothers' shadows, but Nico is dovetailing beautifully with Iñaki successful Athletic's squad (Nico wears "Williams Jr" connected his shirt, to Iñaki's "Williams"). He tin play connected some wings, helium is incredibly tricky to halt successful one-on-one situations, his crosses are connected the people and his shooting is powerful. He has had to enarthrosis the unit of fame -- Barcelona's admiration for him is well-known -- and his signifier slumped astatine the commencement of the campaign, but helium has managed to rediscover a apical cogwheel since.

What helium says: "I cognize I've had a estimation fixed my show astatine the Euros; that's however shot works. I privation to play shot arsenic I ever bash -- if that happens I'll play a bully match."

What they say: "Nico is unique, helium is wonderful. During the European Championship, radical were talking a batch astir Lamine Yamal, who is evidently different fantastic kid, but I personally similar Nico. He's a fantastic player." -- Former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Man United manager José Mourinho

What's next: It looks apt this volition beryllium Williams' last play astatine Athletic Club. Barcelona volition beryllium anxious suitors, and Arsenal and Chelsea are often linked with him. There has besides been reported involvement from Bayern Munich. -- Alex Kirkland

8. Lionel MESSI, Inter Miami/Argentina, 37

What makes him special: He has transcended shot for the past 20 years and successful galore people's eyes, he's the top to ever play the game. He's besides 1 of lone 3 players (alongside Jan Oblak and Robert Lewandowski) to beryllium voted into each 9 editions of the FC 100.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all forwards): 7

One cardinal stat: Messi leads Inter Miami with 15 goals, meaning helium has scored 10-plus goals successful 20 consecutive nine campaigns.

Why he's connected the list: Well, he's the GOAT, isn't he? His legs mightiness determination a small slower than they did erstwhile helium bamboozled the full satellite successful his Barcelona breakthrough successful 2004 and won the World Cup with Argentina successful 2022, but he's inactive a box-office hit. He captained Argentina to the 2024 Copa América rubric and led Inter Miami to a grounds 74 points successful 2024. That grounds milestone was reached successful the last lucifer of the regular play arsenic Messi scored a chapeau instrumentality successful an 11-minute span against the New England Revolution. The 2025 play isn't rather arsenic comprehensive, with Messi missing respective games due to the fact that of insignificant injuries oregon "load management," but helium remains the astir influential fig successful the Inter Miami broadside and truly immoderate squad successful which helium features.

Argentina hold to spot whether he'll proceed playing planetary shot into adjacent year's World Cup. He has won 8 Ballon d'Ors; is the astir decorated subordinate successful nonrecreational shot history, with 45 large trophies to his name; and has led to astir a 1000 players being bracketed arsenic "the adjacent Messi." But arsenic we each know, there's lone ever going to beryllium 1 Lionel Messi.

What helium says: "I cognize the infinitesimal I cognize I'm not performing, that I'm not enjoying myself, that I'm not helping my teammates ... erstwhile I consciousness it is clip to instrumentality that measurement [and retire], I volition instrumentality [that step] without reasoning astir age. If I consciousness good, I volition ever effort to proceed competing, due to the fact that it is what I similar and what I cognize however to do."

What they say: "The champion of our teams is ever erstwhile the No. 10 is playing, due to the fact that helium is the top of each time." -- Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul

What's next: Messi's declaration with Inter Miami is up successful December, and helium hasn't yet confirmed immoderate aboriginal plans for nine oregon country. Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni precocious said they would not unreserved Messi into making a telephone connected whether helium plays successful adjacent year's World Cup. -- Tom Hamilton

7. Khvicha KVARATSKHELIA, Paris Saint-Germain/Georgia, 24

What makes him special: A mercurial winger with the quality to bushed defenders connected his near oregon right, his midseason determination to PSG unlocked his caller team's potential.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all forwards): 20

One cardinal stat: "Kvaradona" had the second-most palmy one-on-ones for PSG (2.25) this play successful league, cupful and Champions League per 90 minutes.

Why he's connected the list: Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League run was going obscurity successful the archetypal fractional of the season, but since signing Kvaratskhelia successful an €80m transportation from Napoli successful January, the French giants person been transformed, with the Georgia planetary proving to beryllium the last portion of the PSG jigsaw. Kvaratskhelia's audacity successful attacking areas makes him truthful unpredictable that adjacent the champion defenses find him intolerable to contain. And his summation to the PSG broadside has coincided with forwards Dembélé and Doué clicking to marque the squad the astir potent attacking unit successful Europe.

What helium says: "I deliberation the hardest portion is that a wintertime signing tin beryllium hard for the manager due to the fact that you articulation the squad successful the mediate of the season. The adaptation clip is short, but I deliberation I've adjusted beauteous well. I consciousness truly bully here."

What they say: "For a manager similar maine it's truthful large to person a subordinate similar [Kvaratskhelia], with his mentality. We tried to motion him past summertime and it didn't enactment out. We signed him successful January erstwhile we didn't truly expect to. He's got everything to beryllium portion of our project." -- PSG manager Luis Enrique

What's next: At 24, Kvaratskhelia has the satellite astatine his feet. He ended this play arsenic a Champions League victor with PSG, and the French champions are besides acceptable to vie for the FIFA Club World Cup successful the U.S. this summer. With Georgia besides contenders to suffice for adjacent year's World Cup aft their awesome tourney astatine Euro 2024, Kvaratskhelia could go 1 of the biggest stars successful the world. -- Julien Laurens

6. Bukayo SAKA, Arsenal/England, 23

What makes him special: He has been a mainstay for nine and state since bursting onto the country successful 2018, scoring arsenic galore goals arsenic helium sets up acknowledgment to an awesome accomplishment acceptable with our without the ball.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all forwards): 9

One cardinal stat: Saka created the fourth-most chances per crippled (2.2) successful the Premier League this season.

Why he's connected the list: Almost 7 years aft his elder debut, Saka has developed into 1 of Europe's astir effectual and dynamic wingers. There has been adversity on the mode -- astir evidently erstwhile helium was 1 of 3 England players to miss successful the Euro 2020 last punishment shootout decision to Italy -- but each time, helium comes backmost stronger. Able to bushed players by going extracurricular oregon inside, Saka is Arsenal's astir potent attacking menace and his pinpoint dead-ball transportation has go a cardinal constituent of Arsenal's potency from acceptable pieces. He would beryllium higher connected this database were it not for a four-month lack pursuing hamstring surgery, portion Arsenal would surely person gotten person to ending their hold for a trophy had helium been acceptable each season.

What helium says: "For me, I ever unrecorded by the quote: 'It's not what you see, it's what you believe.'"

What they say: "His absorption consecutive distant aft scoring was to accidental convey you to each the sports scientists, physios and everyone who has participated successful his recovery. It tells you who helium is arsenic a person, truthful it's intolerable not to emotion him." -- Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, aft Saka returned from wounded successful April

What's next: A caller contract. Arsenal volition privation to widen Saka's declaration this summertime fixed helium has lone 2 years remaining. Both Saka and Arsenal person made affirmative noises astir those discussions, but it won't travel cheap. He earns up to £300,000 a week. -- James Olley

5. Ousmane DEMBÉLÉ, Paris Saint-Germain/France, 27

What makes him special: Arguably the champion subordinate successful the satellite successful 2025, Dembélé is simply a goal-involvement instrumentality inactive susceptible of nutmegging you astatine immoderate time.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all forwards): 27

One cardinal stat: Dembélé led Ligue 1 with 27 extremity contributions (21 goals, six assists) and six multigoal games this season.

Why he's connected the list: The translation of Dembélé could beryllium a lawsuit survey successful universities, academies and large corporations. In 2025, the 2018 World Cup victor has been connected different planet. Repositioned arsenic a halfway guardant (albeit a mendacious one) by PSG manager Luis Enrique, helium has contributed astir a extremity oregon an assistance per crippled this calendar twelvemonth successful each competitions. He has go lethal successful beforehand of goal, much composed, much confident, much elusive and much patient.

The endowment was ne'er successful uncertainty for a subordinate who, astatine 27, is inactive not definite which of his 2 feet is the strongest, but helium has added the extremity merchandise and consistency to his earthy skills. He adjacent allowed himself to tease Didier Deschamps, the France nationalist squad caput coach, for inactive playing him retired of presumption connected the wing. After the departures of Neymar and Kylian Mbappé, Dembélé has go a person connected and disconnected the transportation for PSG, putting himself successful the speech for a Ballon d'Or triumph.

What helium says: "What changed? A spot of everything. The positioning, but much importantly the mindset. You privation to people goals, to beryllium decisive successful each game. I person much content successful beforehand of goals."

What they say: He is simply a subordinate afloat of confidence. Back erstwhile I played PlayStation arsenic a kid, helium was the benignant of subordinate you'd take erstwhile you needed idiosyncratic to alteration the game. He was already bully past play but successful 2025 helium is adjacent better." -- Luis Enrique

What's next: The lone 2 questions are: Can Dembélé proceed successful this benignant signifier adjacent season, and tin helium adjacent bash better? Scoring braces and chapeau tricks successful each crippled is astir apt not possible, but reaching 50 extremity involvements successful each competitions successful the aforesaid run is doable for a subordinate similar him. -- Julien Laurens

4. Vinícius JÚNIOR, Real Madrid/Brazil, 24

What makes him special: As 2024's Best FIFA Men's Player, and the Ballon d'Or runner-up, his accordant prime ensures helium stands out.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all forwards): 4

One cardinal stat: Tied for astir assists for Real Madrid successful LaLiga, UCL and Copa del Rey with 12 (also Bellingham); lone Raphinha (21) and Lamine Yamal (21) person much among players successful those competitions.

Why he's connected the list: Viní Jr.'s 2024-25 hasn't lived up to his erstwhile season, but that was ever going to beryllium a gangly order: How bash you lucifer being wide recognized arsenic 1 of the world's champion players and scoring successful a Champions League final? The information is, helium has been frustratingly inconsistent this season. When helium has been bully -- specified arsenic his mind-blowing spell against Borussia Dortmund successful the Champions League connected Oct. 22, scoring a second-half chapeau instrumentality successful possibly the champion one-off show of his vocation -- there's cipher better. But those performances person been excessively few, though 21 goals for Madrid successful each competitions is simply a respectable total.

Viní has besides forged an underrated transportation with Mbappé, learning however to champion harvester with a onslaught spouse whose earthy presumption is besides connected the left, arsenic showcased by his 2 assists for Mbappé successful Madrid's 4-3 nonaccomplishment to Barcelona connected May 11.

What helium says: After missing retired connected the Ballon d'Or, "I'll bash it 10 times if I person to. They're not ready."

What they say: "Football politics. My brother, you are the champion subordinate successful the world, and nary grant tin accidental otherwise." -- Real Madrid teammate Eduardo Camavinga

What's next: There are a fewer goals for the months ahead: signing a caller declaration astatine Real Madrid, ironing retired the kinks successful that on-field narration with Mbappé, and getting backmost to best-in-the-world signifier nether incoming manager Xabi Alonso. He'll besides anticipation to fulfill his imaginable arsenic Brazil's cardinal subordinate nether a acquainted face, outgoing Madrid brag Carlo Ancelotti. -- Alex Kirkland

3. RAPHINHA, Barcelona/Brazil, 28

What makes him special: The Brazilian's vigor and enactment complaint are impressive, but his lethal near ft has taken his crippled to the adjacent level this season.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all forwards): Unranked.

Key stats: Raphinha enjoyed a career-high 34 goals this play successful each competitions, tied for 4th astir this play among players from Europe's apical 5 leagues successful each competitions. He besides enjoyed 8 games with a extremity and an assistance successful each competitions this season, the astir by a LaLiga subordinate successful each competitions.

Why he's connected the list: A twelvemonth ago, Raphinha considered leaving Barcelona aft 2 acceptable, but unspectacular, seasons. Incoming manager Hansi Flick persuaded him not to and the results since person been extraordinary, with the Brazilian having the champion play of his career, scoring 34 goals and providing 22 assists crossed each competitions (57 games). In the Champions League alone, helium registered 21 extremity contributions (13 goals, 8 assists) to bushed Lionel Messi's nine grounds for a azygous season. There person been countless large moments: a chapeau instrumentality against Bayern Munich, immense goals against Real Madrid and 3 match-winning performances against Benfica. He is tireless successful Barça's pressing game, a relentless sprinter and a genuine Ballon d'Or contender this year.

What helium says: "I americium successful the champion infinitesimal of my career."

What they say: "I would springiness the Ballon d'Or to Raphinha this season; Lamine Yamal would besides springiness it to him." -- Barça teammate Pau Cubarsí

What's next: Can helium support this season's form? His numbers person been truthful good, and truthful retired of kilter with the remainder of his career, that the large question is whether helium tin wide that precocious barroom adjacent season. With Barça hopeless for a archetypal Champions League trophy successful a decennary and Brazil preparing for the World Cup, some his nine and state volition anticipation his ascent continues. -- Sam Marsden

2. Lamine YAMAL, Barcelona/Spain, 17

What makes him special: Potentially the champion teen to ever play the game, energy reverberates astir stadiums erstwhile helium has the ball.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all forwards): Unranked.

Key stats: Yamal had 49 carries successful goal-ending sequences successful LaLiga this season, much than immoderate different subordinate successful Europe's apical 5 leagues. His 5 goals from extracurricular the punishment country successful LaLiga were tied for the astir successful Europe's apical 5 leagues this season.

Why he's connected the list: Because helium has been 1 of the champion players successful the satellite this season. Yamal got amended and amended arsenic the run progressed. At times, helium has been unstoppable. He dribbles, helium creates and helium scores, but, supra all, helium enjoys himself. He tries things different players would not dare: a flick, a nutmeg, a trivela pass. Fearless is simply a connection utilized to picture the teenager. He appears wholly unfazed by pressure.

On apical of that, helium is emerging arsenic the person of a young Barça side, taking connected much responsibility. When the chips are down, his teammates springiness him the ball, shown by the information helium progressively has implicit 100 touches per game. They springiness it to him due to the fact that they cognize helium volition deliver: conscionable look astatine his stunning contributions astatine the concern extremity of the play against Internazionale, Real Madrid and Espanyol.

What helium says: "It's arsenic if I'm playing PES. I play, bask myself ... and that's all. I don't [notice the pressure]. I don't deliberation excessively overmuch astir different things. I besides don't deliberation excessively overmuch astir what I americium doing, what I americium doing tomorrow, what crippled I americium playing oregon if it's much important [than others]."

What they say: "Barça person a subordinate [Yamal] who is hard to stop. He created a batch of problems for us. I had not seen him unrecorded earlier and we had to treble up connected him successful the end. He is simply a improvement that's calved erstwhile each 50 years." -- Internazionale manager Simone Inzaghi

What's next: Yamal is successful existent information of "completing football" portion he's inactive a teenager. After winning the European Championship with Spain and a home treble with Barça, helium volition desperately privation to adhd the Champions League and the World Cup to his trophy postulation successful 2026. A Ballon d'Or would presumably travel -- if helium doesn't triumph it earlier then. That is much apt to hap if helium continues to adhd much goals and assists to his game. Comparisons with the game's top players ever volition beryllium adjacent harder to disregard if helium tin instrumentality his extremity scoring to the adjacent level. -- Sam Marsden

1. Mohamed SALAH, Liverpool/Egypt, 32

What makes him special: Liverpool's goal-scoring talisman looks sharper than ever, lifting the Reds to a Premier League rubric and mounting records on the way.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all forwards): 5

Key stats: Salah's 47 extremity contributions successful Premier League are the astir successful a 38-game Premier League season, and helium is the lone subordinate with astatine slightest a stock of the goals pb and assistance pb successful aggregate Premier League campaigns.

Why he's connected the list: When Liverpool stumbled down the agelong to a third-place decorativeness successful the Premier League past season, Salah took to societal media to nonstop an impassioned connection to supporters, vowing to "fight similar hell" to bring much occurrence to Anfield. It's just to accidental the Egypt planetary has made bully connected that promise, notching an awesome 28 goals and 18 assists successful the apical formation this play to occurrence Liverpool to a record-equaling 20th league title. Manager Arne Slot's broadside person been acold and distant the champion squad successful the Premier League this term, and Salah's flair and consistency has been integral to that. Not atrocious for a "one-season wonder."

What helium says: "This is my champion play due to the fact that I person made different players astir maine better. That is what I feel. I cognize their games."

What they say: "First of all, helium is ever judged conscionable arsenic a subordinate -- which is, of course, what you guys should do. But I besides spot him arsenic a quality being. And helium is simply a humble idiosyncratic [who] ever wants to enactment hard, ever puts a lot, a batch of effort into becoming the subordinate helium has become, and helium wants to enactment astatine that level, truthful helium conscionable keeps bringing that effort each azygous day." -- Liverpool manager Arne Slot

What's next: Salah turns 33 successful June but shows nary signs of slowing down, which is wherefore Liverpool offered him a two-year declaration extension. With the guardant having present committed his aboriginal to Slot's side, helium volition beryllium anxious to adhd a fewer much trophies to the postulation earlier helium hangs up his boots. -- Beth Lindop

The 2024-25 FC 100, presumption by position

Go to: Goalkeeper | Fullbacks | Center backs | Defensive/central midfielders | Attacking midfielders | Wingers |Center forwards