GOAL's 21st century rankings: The best players, managers and teams of the past 25 years

Throughout the start of the 21st century, American soccer has seen players continue to raise their level. Playing in Europe was once unheard of; now, there are stars competing for league titles and Champions League crowns on a regular basis. It's an incredible rise, one headlined by countless trailblazers. From Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey to Christian Pulisic and Tyler Adams, American players are now household names, something almost unfathomable just a few decades ago. But who have been the very best of the last 25 years? 

Check out the full list

When you consider the heights that the U.S. women's national team has reached over the last few decades, it becomes nearly impossible to truly separate it all. How can you compare success to success? How do you rank a series of seemingly endless legends given all they accomplished, both as individuals and as a group? The goal here is not to separate the good from the great, but rather the great from the greater. But who have been the very best of the last 25 years? 

Check out the full list

From former European superstars such as Lionel Messi, David Beckham and Thierry Henry to American heroes such as Kasey Keller, Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey, they've all had an impact in their own unique ways. From MLS Cup titles to Open Cup trophies, individual awards and more, each made an impact on the league. But who have been the very best in MLS of the last 25 years? 

Check out the full list

In just the 11 years of the NWSL’s existence, many of the world's best players have taken their careers to the next level, teams have established record-setting fan bases, and international superstars have chosen the league for its remarkable competitiveness. So, how to sort through all the greats to rank the top 25 players in the NWSL? That's the task.

Check out the full list

While the two best men's players of the past 25 years might seem obvious, there have been plenty of others who have made an indelible mark on the game during the opening quarter of the 21st century.

Check out the full list

The past 25 years have been transformational for the women's game as the performances of some of its star players have pushed it into the mainstream - but who have been the elite who stand above all others?

Check out the full list

From Sir Alex Ferguson to Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti to Pep Guardiola, the 21st century has seen some of the finest managers in the history of the game - but how do they all match up when it comes to their achievements and influence?

Check out the full list

Emma Hayes and Sarina Wiegman are held up as two of the best coaches in the modern women's game, but where do they rank among the elite managers from the past 25 years?

Check out the full list

Goalkeepers don't always get the praise they deserve, but there is no doubt that some of the best players of the past 25 years have plied their trade between the sticks - but who were the absolute standouts?

Check out the full list

The 2024 Ballon d'Or race had one of the most memorable endings as Rodri beat Vinicius Jr to the Golden Ball, but how does the Manchester City star rank against the other winners of the past 25 years?

Check out the full list

England haven't been able to end their trophy drought in the 21st century as yet, but the birthplace of football has still produced some of the finest players to have played the game over the past 25 years.

Check out the full list

Football still hasn't 'come home', but that doesn't mean there hasn't been plenty for England fans to get excited about during the 21st century, with a number of moments involving the national team living long in the memory of Three Lions supporters.

Check out the full list

At the start of the 21st century, England were generally also-rans when they qualified for women's tournaments, but have developed to a level where they are now European champions and World Cup finalists, with a number of players having made a huge impact on the Lionesses over the past 25 years.

Check out the full list

South America continues to be a hotbed for footballing talent, as the top European clubs continue to scour the continent for the next global superstar. But who have been the very best to emerge from the likes of Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay since the turn of the century?

Check out the full list

Africa is still waiting to crown its first World Cup winners, but the continent has continued churning out elite talents over the past 25 years, with some of the best to ever play the game gracing from the continent.

Check out the full list

The European Cup remains the club trophy that every player wants to lift, but who were the most impressive Champions League-winning team of the past 25 years?

Check out the full list

The richest and most popular league in the world, the Premier League is able to attract more elite talents than any other domestic competition. But who have been the standout performers in the English top-flight over the past 25 years?

Check out the full list

The Premier League has become the place to be for the world's best coaches over the past 25 years, but who did a better job than anyone else in the English top-flight in that period?

Check out the full list below

From the Invincibles of 2003 to Mikel Arteta's resurgent title-challengers, Arsenal have boasted some of the most talented players on the planet over the past 25 years. But who were the best?

Click here to see the full list

Chelsea have gone from fighting for European qualification to one of the most powerful clubs in world football over the past 25 years, with the Blues now able to boast two Champions League trophies among their collection off the back of assembling squad after squad of quality players.

Check out the full list

While Liverpool had to wait until 2020 to win their first league title of the 21st century, the Reds did pile up trophies throughout the past 25 years. So how do Jurgen Klopp's memorable group compare to those who immediately preceded them?

Check out the full list

Manchester United's last 25 years can be split into two clear periods either side of Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement. So how many of those who arrived at Old Trafford after the Scot's departure can rival the legendary status of his all-conquering teams?

Check out the full list

Manchester City are unrecognisable from the club which began the 21st century, as the now eight-time Premier League champions have emerged from the third tier of English football to become one of the dominant forces in European football, with a host of superstars having plied their trade at the Etihad Stadium in recent years.

Check out the full list

Tottenham may not have had the sustained success their fans crave through the 21st century, but they have still been able to cheer on some truly outstanding individuals over the past 25 years.

Check out the full list

La Liga has been home to some of the best players of the past quarter-century, but aside from the obvious two, who else deserves recognition for their contribution to the Spanish top-flight?

Check out the full list

At points through the first 25 years of the century, Barcelona were the most impressive team in world football as Camp Nou played host to some of the finest footballers the game has ever seen.

Check out the full list

From the Galactico era to winning four Champions League titles in five seasons through the 2010s, Real Madrid have had a quarter-century to remember, and there's likely not another club with a 21st century Hall of Fame quite on the level of Los Blancos.

Check out the full list

The Bundesliga has built a reputation for developing some of the world's most talented players over the past 25 years, with plenty of household names having shone in the German top-flight so far this century.

Check out the full list

No club has dominated a top domestic league more in the 21st century than Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, while they have also tasted plenty of European success too. But which superstars played the most important roles?

Check out the full list

Serie A's heyday came through the 1990s, but despite a number of controversies that have surrounded Italy's top-flight, it has still played host to some remarkable talents since the turn of the century.

Check out the full list

Paris Saint-Germain might still be waiting to lift their first European Cup, but their role call of superstars to have lined-up at Parc des Princes since the turn of the century is absolutely legendary.

Check out the full list

The women's game has grown to new levels of prominence in England over the course of the 21st century, with the Women's Super League now regarded as one of, if not the best league in the world. But who have been the stars who have most illuminated it?

Check out the full list

Spending huge sums of money does not always equal success, so we took the priciest deals of the past quarter-century and adjudged whether they were a hit or a miss

Check out the full list

Spending on footballers has reached astronomical levels over the course of the past 25 years, but there are still bargains to be had in the transfer market. So which players have proven to be the best-value signings of the century so far?

Check out the full list

The glory days were truly remarkable, and the figures who led Mexico are still celebrated. Many remain in the sport, either pushing Mexico forward on the field or taking on roles in coaching and management. No matter their current station, there were many players to celebrate over the past 25 years, starting just after Mexico’s 1999 Confederations Cup triumph.  But who have been the very best of the last 25 years? 

Check out the full list

Liga MX is a league filled with personalities and living legends who can find those moments of magic. It is a league that has a rich past. Before every big matchup, broadcasters roll grainy footage of the glory days. Some of the best players are long gone, but others are still playing each weekend in Liga MX as the league looks to keep its cultural and sporting relevance in a new age. But who have been the very best of the last 25 years? 

Check out the full list