Who is the best player after Ronaldo and Messi

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are not yet ready to say goodbye to the World Cup.  But the clock is ticking on their careers, and the 2026 World Cup could be the last time we see them on soccer’s biggest stage.  With that in mind, thoughts naturally turn to a new generation and life beyond two men who have dominated the sport for the past 15 years, sharing 12 Ballon d’Or awards for best player in the world and nine Champions League trophies between them.  Theirs are big shoes to fill, and, to their legions of fans, each one stands alone as the greatest of all time.  So if separating Messi and Ronaldo has been difficult enough, imagine replacing them.  But life — and sport — moves on, and the World Cup is the perfect stage for a new breed of would-be superstars to showcase their talent. Some name stands out above all as the natural heir to the big two.

As the era of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo winds down, a new generation of footballers is stepping into the spotlight. Here are some of the most promising and already-rising stars who are poised to define the post-Messi/Ronaldo era:

1. Kylian Mbappé

Kylian Mbappé is not just a footballer—he is a global phenomenon and the natural heir to the throne left by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Born in Bondy, France, in 1998, Mbappé rose through the ranks of AS Monaco, stunning the world as a teenager with his blistering speed, confident finishing, and football IQ that defied his age. At just 19, he became a key player in France’s 2018 FIFA World Cup victory, scoring four goals, including one in the final, and becoming the second teenager after Pelé to score in a World Cup final. Since then, he has dominated Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain, winning multiple league titles and consistently finishing among Europe’s top scorers. Known for his rapid acceleration, sharp dribbling, and clinical eye for goal, Mbappé is a nightmare for defenders. Off the pitch, he is mature, articulate, and socially conscious, using his platform to speak out on social issues and inspire the next generation. With a move to Real Madrid on the horizon, many believe that the next great chapter of his already glittering career is about to begin. In an era searching for new icons, Mbappé stands ready to lead football’s future.

2. Erling Haaland

Haaland is already one of the best players in the world at just 24 years of age. His brute strength, raw pace, and sublime finishing make him a perfect striker. An absolute nightmare for defenders, Haaland can score all kinds of goals. He is great in the air, amazing with long-range shots, and a great poacher in the box, a true phenomenon.

Haaland started his career in his home country of Norway with Bryne. He then moved to the Austrian side RB Salzburg in 2019, where he became the first teenager to score in five consecutive UEFA Champions League matches during the 2019–20 season. He won the Golden Boy award in 2020 for his outstanding performances.

He moved to Borussia Dortmund the same year, where he has continued to impress and break records. He has an astonishing 80 goals in just 81 appearances across all competitions, scoring at least one goal per game. If his current trajectory continues, Haaland may well end his career as the greatest striker of all time.

3 Vinicius Junior

It's impossible to talk about the best footballers in the world without discussing Vinicius Jr. Real Madrid's pacy winger is taking the world by storm at the moment. Blessed with Brazilian flair, Vinicius Jr. is a wonderful player to watch. 

At any moment, the youngster can beat his man and create chances for his team, especially Karim Benzema. The duo has built an outstanding partnership this season and has propelled Real Madrid to the top of La Liga. Vinicius has a tireless work rate and offers great off-the-ball service when his team is under pressure. 

At only 21, the young Brazilian has matured in his game and has improved his end product massively, scoring 17 goals and assisting another 14 this season. The Brazilian is tipped to dominate world football in the years to come and take over from Ronaldo and Messi.

4. Lamine Yamal

Lamine Yamal is one of the most exciting and youngest talents to emerge in world football, hailed as a generational prospect from the famed La Masia academy at FC Barcelona. Born in 2007 in Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain, to a Moroccan father and Equatoguinean mother, Yamal made history by becoming the youngest player to debut for Barcelona's senior team at just 15 years old. Not long after, he also became Spain’s youngest ever player and goal scorer, making waves on the international stage before even turning 17. 

A left-footed forward with dazzling dribbling ability, fearless creativity, and elite vision, Yamal has drawn comparisons to greats like Lionel Messi—not just for his early debut, but for his natural flair and intelligence on the ball. He plays with the maturity and confidence of someone a decade older, regularly taking on seasoned defenders with ease. Despite his age, he’s already a regular in both Barça’s and Spain’s senior squads, contributing with goals and assists in key matches. With his sky-high potential, humility, and relentless work ethic, Lamine Yamal is not just a rising star—he's being groomed as the next face of both Barcelona and Spanish football.

5. Jude Bellingham

Jude Bellingham is one of the brightest and most complete midfielders of his generation, already a global superstar at just 21 years old. Born in Stourbridge, England, in 2003, Bellingham began his professional career with Birmingham City at the age of 16, becoming the club’s youngest-ever first-team player. His meteoric rise caught the attention of Borussia Dortmund, where he developed into a world-class talent, combining maturity, leadership, and tactical intelligence far beyond his years. In 2023, he made a blockbuster move to Real Madrid, where he quickly became the heartbeat of their midfield and a consistent goal-scoring threat, often playing in a more advanced role.

Bellingham is known for his powerful runs, precise passing, composure under pressure, and box-to-box presence, making him an all-around midfielder in the mold of legends like Steven Gerrard or Zinedine Zidane. He was awarded the 2023 Golden Boy and the La Liga Player of the Month multiple times in his debut season. Off the pitch, he exudes professionalism, confidence, and leadership, already captaining England at the youth level and becoming a key figure in the senior national team. With his charisma, work ethic, and game-changing ability, Jude Bellingham is not just a future star—he’s already shaping the future of football.

6. Jadon Sancho

Possessing mouth-watering close control, speed, and excellence at creating chances for his teammates, Jadon Sancho is a complete modern-day winger. He is an absolute menace for defenders in a 1v1 situation, and Sancho can light up any match with his skills and speed. The 21-year-old has an effortless style of play, and on his day, Sancho is a world-class player who flummoxes opposition players with his trickery.

In 2017, Sancho signed for Borussia Dortmund and quickly became one of the most exciting talents in European football. He racked up 50 goals and 64 assists in just 137 appearances, an incredible output for a player in his teens and early 20s.

Unsurprisingly, Sancho was a target for all the top clubs in Europe, and Manchester United signed him for a whopping €85m. The young Englishman has taken time to adapt to the Premier League but is starting to show signs of his quality and will no doubt enjoy a stellar career at Old Trafford. And of course, he has a certain Ronaldo that he can learn from at the club!

7. Jamal Musiala

Jamal Musiala is a dazzling talent and one of the most technically gifted young footballers in the world, often described as the creative heartbeat of both Bayern Munich and the German national team. Born in 2003 in Stuttgart, Germany, and raised partly in England, Musiala was eligible to play for both countries but ultimately chose to represent Germany at the senior level. 

A product of Chelsea’s academy before moving to Bayern at just 16, Musiala made an immediate impact with his graceful dribbling, intelligent movement, and calm finishing. Nicknamed “Magic Musiala,” he possesses an almost effortless style of play, weaving through defenders with close control and balance reminiscent of elite playmakers.

 Though primarily an attacking midfielder, he can operate on either wing or in deeper roles, making him incredibly versatile. By age 20, he had already won multiple Bundesliga titles, played in the Champions League, and scored crucial goals, including the title-clinching goal for Bayern in the final game of the 2022–23 season. Off the field, he is known for his humility, focus, and quiet determination. With his creativity, vision, and flair, Jamal Musiala is seen as the cornerstone of Germany’s footballing future and a potential Ballon d’Or contender in the years to come.