Football’s finest: Celebrating the top 25 players of 2023

Football, the beautiful game, has long been a unifying force, bringing together people from all walks of life under a shared passion. Some standout footballers have made significant contributions to the sport, showcasing exceptional talent, resilience, and unwavering dedication.

A recent ranking by SportsBrief highlighted the top 25 football players in the world for the year 2023. These players, hailing from various corners of the globe, have captivated audiences with their mesmerising skills, unwavering determination and commitment.

25. Nayef Aguerd - West Ham United

Starting at number 25, Nayef Aguerd, who plays as a defender for West Ham United and the Morocco national team, has carved a remarkable path in his career. Hailing from Kenitra, Morocco, Aguerd's journey began at the Mohammed VI Football Academy, leading to a notable £30 million contract with West Ham United in 2022.

• Date of birth: 30 March 1996
• Age: 27 years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Kenitra, Morocco

24. Amad Diallo - Manchester United

Amad Diallo, a 21-year-old midfielder for Manchester United and the Ivory Coast national team, claims the 24th spot. The Ivorian talent signed a five-year contract in 2021, with a transfer fee ranging from €25 million to €40 million, including bonuses.

• Date of birth: 11 July 2002
• Age: 21 years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Abidjan, Ivory Coast

23. Arnaut Danjuma – Everton

Arnaut Danjuma, a forward for Everton and the Netherlands national team, secures the 23rd position. The Nigerian-born player made headlines in 2021 when he joined Villarreal for €25 million.

• Date of birth: 31 January 1997
• Age: 26 years old (as of 2023)

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• Place of birth: Lagos, Nigeria

22. Thomas Partey – Arsenal

Thomas Partey, a midfielder for Arsenal and the Ghana national team ranks 22nd. The £45 million move to Arsenal marked him as the most expensive Ghanaian player in history.

• Date of birth: 13 June 1993
• Age: 30 years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Krobo Odumase, Ghana

21. Ibrahima Konaté – Liverpool

Liverpool's defender Ibrahima Konaté claims the 21st spot. Signed for £36 million in 2021, Konaté celebrated victories in the EFL Cup and FA Cup during his debut season.

• Date of birth: 25 May 1999
• Age: 24 years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Paris, France

20. Kurt Zouma - West Ham United

Kurt Zouma, a French centre-back for West Ham United, is recognised at number 20 for his versatile defensive skills. Born in Lyon, France, Zouma's contributions to West Ham have been praised by fans and pundits alike.

• Date of birth: 27 October 1994
• Age:29 years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth:Lyon, France

19. Xherdan Shaqiri - Chicago Fire

Xherdan Shaqiri, a Swiss professional footballer with Chicago Fire in the Major League Soccer, takes the 19th spot.

• Date of birth: 10 October 1991
• Age: 32 years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Gjilan

18. Edin Dzeko - Fenerbahçe

Edin Dzeko, a Bosnian striker for Fenerbahçe and the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team, secures the 18th position.

• Date of birth: 17 March 1986
• Age: 37 years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

17. Benjamin Mendy - Lorient

Benjamin Mendy, a French left-back for Lorient, claims the 17th spot. Mendy secured a Premier League title in his debut season in England.

• Date of birth: 17 July 1994
• Age: 29 years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth:Longjumeau, France

16. Granit Xhaka - Bayer Leverkusen

Granit Xhaka, a Swiss midfielder for Bayer Leverkusen, ranks 16th. Of Balkan background, Xhaka is known for his contributions to both his club and the Switzerland national team.

• Date of birth: 27 September 1992
• Age: 31 years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Basel, Switzerland

15. Ousmane Dembele - Paris Saint-Germain

Ousmane Dembele, a French winger for Paris Saint-Germain, takes the 15th spot. He married a Moroccan wife in a traditional ceremony in 2019.

• Date of birth: 15 May 1997
• Age: 26 years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Vernon, France

14. Sadio Mane - Al Nassr

Sadio Mane, a Senegalese forward for Al Nassr, is recognized as number 14. Known for his generosity, Mane allocates a significant portion of his salary to charitable projects.

• Date of birth: 10 April 1992
• Age:31 years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Bambali, Senegal

13. Riyad Mahrez - Al-Ahli

Riyad Mahrez, a right winger for Al-Ahli, secures the 13th position. The Algerian is a Premier League winner multiple ties with Leicester City and Manchester City, also an African Cup of Nations winner.

• Date of birth: 21 February 1991
• Age: 32years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Sarcelles, France

12. Ilkay Gundogan - Barcelona

Ilkay Gundogan, a midfielder for Barcelona and captain of the German national team, takes the 12th spot. Gundogan attributes his success to his family and migrant background.

• Date of birth: 24 October 1990
• Age: 33years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Gelsenkirchen, Germany

11. Antonio Rudiger - Real Madrid

Antonio Rudiger, a German player for Real Madrid, ranks 11th. He wasborn to a German father and Sierra Leonean mother in Berlin.

• Date of birth: 3 March 1993
• Age: 30years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Berlin, Germany

10. Saïd Benrahma - West Ham United

Saïd Benrahma, a midfielder for West Ham United, claims the 10th spot. The Algerian player joined West Ham United for a transfer fee of £23.1 million.

• Date of birth: 10 August 1995
• Age: 28 years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Aïn Témouchent, Algeria

9. Mohamed Elneny - Arsenal

Mohamed Elneny, a defensive midfielder for Arsenal and the Egyptian Premier League, secures the 9th position. Starting his career with Al Mokawloon in Egypt, Elneny has won four league titles in Switzerland.

• Date of birth: 11 July 1992
• Age: 31years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: El Mahalla El Kubra, Egypt

8. Islam Slimani - Coritiba

Islam Slimani, a forward for Coritiba and the Algeria national team, takes the 8th spot. Moving from Anderlecht to Coritiba, Slimani made a significant impact with eight goals in ten league appearances.

• Date of birth: 18 June 1988
• Age: 35years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Algiers [El Djazaïr], Algeria

7. Marouane Fellaini-Bakkioui - Shandong Taishan

Marouane Fellaini-Bakkioui, a midfielder for Shandong Taishan, claims the 7th spot. The former Manchester United player is of Moroccan heritage.

• Date of birth: 22 November 1987
• Age: 35years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Etterbeek, Germany

6. Mohamed Salah - Liverpool FC

Mohamed Salah, the Liverpool FC forward and captain of the Egypt national team is recognized as number 6. Salah, a devout Muslim, expresses his gratitude to God with a bow after scoring goals.

• Date of birth: 15 June 1992
• Age: 31 years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Nagrig, Egypt

5. N’Golo Kante - Al-Ittihad

N'Golo Kante, a midfielder for Al-Ittihad and the France national team, secures the 5th position. Known for his humility and work rate, Kante was born to Malian migrants in France.

• Date of birth: 29 March 1991
• Age: 32years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Paris, France

4. Paul Pogba - Juventus

Pogba, a World Cup winner with the France national team claims the 4th spot.

• Date of birth: 15 March 1993
• Age: 30 years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Lagny-Sur-Marne, France

3. Mesut Ozil - Retired

Mesut Ozil, a retired attacking midfielder, secures the 3rd spot. Known for his technical skills and creativity.

• Date of birth: 15 October 1988
• Age: 35 years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Gelsenkirchen, Germany

2. Karim Benzema - Al-Ittihad

Karim Benzema, a striker for Al-Ittihad and captain of the Saudi Pro League club, ranks 2nd. The Ballon d'Or winner is celebrated as one of the best strikers in the world.

• Date of birth: 19 December 1987
• Age: 35 years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Lyon, France

1. Wahbi Khazri - Montpellier

At the top of the list is Wahbi Khazri, a midfielder for Montpellier, who has represented Tunisia in multiple Africa Cup of Nations and FIFA World Cup competitions.

• Date of birth: 8 February 1991
• Age: 32 years as of 2023
• Place of birth: Ajaccio, Corsica, France