Who is the current best player in the world?

MalcolmTucker

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Agree with the OP. There is no obvious choice at present in today's football. I wouldn't fight my corner too much to defend my choice. Agreed isn't the best in the world looking at stats, goals, apps, trophies won etc etc. That said, for me he's up there with the best even so when it comes to individual skills, and strength combined with raw talent. He's impossible to get the ball off and can turn a match with blink of an eye. World class! (If he can get a coach who can utilize him 100%)
If you think Adama Traore is genuinely close to being the best player in the world then you really don't understand football :lol:
 

Idxomer

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I'm beginning to think it could really be Kane this season, shame he doesn't play in the CL.
 

Khalif_20

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"World class" doesn't sit on the bench at a club like Wolves. If he were world class he would be the first name on the team sheet. Unless of course you are also saying that the players who play ahead of him are also world class...
If you think Adama Traore is genuinely close to being the best player in the world then you really don't understand football :lol:
In my opinion this is a weird underestimation of Adama.

He's a player with unique physique and dribbling technique, there's no other player with similar qualities. Wouldn't pick him as top 5 in the world currently but he has such potential when used properly.

If given the choice between Lewandovski - reliable and clinical poacher playing for superb team - and Adama - unstoppable right wing in mediocre team - the thinking man's choice would be the latter.

For the 3-3-1-3 United revolution I've proposed in the Özil thread, the first choice for RW position is Hakimi but now I'm reconsidering and Adama Traore would likely be even better choice. With Amad Traore on the opposite flank.
 

GameOn

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And of course you rest yourself and don't go 110% if you're leading 4-0 against Mainz at half time. You might have given 110% the first half to get to that lead, but in the Premier League, you would have to give 110% against say City or even Wolves/Everton/Southampton for 90 minutes. If you don't, you lose your shot at the title.

In other competitions of sport, it would just be strange to have the World's apparently best athletes compete mostly against mediocre opponents over the course of a year.
Like I said: You're just overrating the PL, while underrating Serie A and Bundesliga.

Playing against the likes of Mainz, Köln, Parma or Bologna certainly isn't that much easier than playing against the likes of Burnley, Fulham or West Ham.

Even if we go to the "above-average" teams in those leagues, it's not a huge difference playing against Mönchengladbach, Leverkusen, Milan or Lazio compared to playing against us, Everton, Tottenham or Chelsea at the moment.

Outside of Liverpool and City, there just really aren't that many really good or great sides in the PL.

Just look how those other sides performed in Europe over the past few years. Tottenham and Chelsea got demolished by Bayern last year. Even Leipzig comfortably won their two games against Tottenham last year. Arsenal used to get their annual 5-1 spankings by Bayern or other big clubs. Chelsea has only done something in the Europa League. We haven't done anything since our last CL final appearance in 2011.

Aside from the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 seasons, Serie A and Bundesliga have actually performed better in the CL/EL than the PL this past decade (UEFA coefficient).
 
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romufc

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I'm beginning to think it could really be Kane this season, shame he doesn't play in the CL.
He needs CL football. He has been so consistent over the last 5 years, one of the best strikers around right now.
 

ROFLUTION

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This Bayern team would get 100+ points in the Premier League, look how they destroyed Chelsea and Spurs. Leipzig also beat Spurs and Dortmund would match and probably beat a number of the top 4/6 teams in England.
I agree. Its their opponents im questioning. To answer the other poster @GameOn I do think there are more Burnley/Fulham-like Games in Bundesliga, Ligue 1 and Serie A. There's good reason that so much money from TV flow into premier league. It has more tempo and Its very competitive and a lot can happen in the table. The big teams Chelsea, United, Arsenal, etc can be placed no 8 one year and no 2 the other. Even City has come 4th and 5th sometimes. Wolves, Everton, Soton, Leicester, often take points from the big 6. That can happen sometimes in the other leagues, but it's rare to see Juve, Bayern, PSG go shit. A couple of years ago Liverpool were not top 2 material. Same with United. They also just have 1 league cup, where England has two. The pulling power in these other leagues are greatly skewed, which of course has its mark on the competitive level on the leagues as a whole.
 

Blackwidow

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There's good reason that so much money from TV flow into premier league.
The reason is the history. Commonwealth, that English is the most spoken language - and that the EPL started far earlier to export their game overseas than the other leagues did. The quality of the game does not have much to do with it - but yes, money probably influences a lot today, too.
 

DrRodo

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People proposing Adama Traore as a best in the world contender? :houllier:

Maybe if youre thinking of street freestyle maybe yes, but football is so much more, soooo much more than fancy dribbling you know?
 

AltiUn

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I know everyone's entitled to their own opinion but Adama Traore is absolutely not the best player in the world and absolutely not world class. He's not even the best player in his current team.
 

R77

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People proposing Adama Traore as a best in the world contender? :houllier:

Maybe if youre thinking of street freestyle maybe yes, but football is so much more, soooo much more than fancy dribbling you know?
Def seems silly, but some players can be so good at one particular thing they're as good as world class in a team that needs it. He's the best bulldozer that I can see, but that will never translate to the best player on the planet.

My reduction;
  • Of the usual heavyweights peaking or not = Lewandowski.
  • Most skillful and highest top level = Messi
  • New seat at the table = Kimmich
  • Looking like future contenders = Haaland, Camavinga, Fati.
 

Grande

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In my opinion this is a weird underestimation of Adama.

He's a player with unique physique and dribbling technique, there's no other player with similar qualities. Wouldn't pick him as top 5 in the world currently but he has such potential when used properly.

If given the choice between Lewandovski - reliable and clinical poacher playing for superb team - and Adama - unstoppable right wing in mediocre team - the thinking man's choice would be the latter.

For the 3-3-1-3 United revolution I've proposed in the Özil thread, the first choice for RW position is Hakimi but now I'm reconsidering and Adama Traore would likely be even better choice. With Amad Traore on the opposite flank.
I suspect The Thinking Man would prefer The Thinking Player Lewandovski ahead of the Bulldozer Locomotive Traore. Just like The Thinking Coaches Nuno and Flick probably would, based on their regard for Thinking Players like Lewandowski, Thomas Müller, Raul Jimenez and Ruben Neves.

I agree on Amad Diallo, though, based on nothing other than that I really like the name Diallo.
 

GameOn

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If given the choice between Lewandovski - reliable and clinical poacher playing for superb team - and Adama - unstoppable right wing in mediocre team - the thinking man's choice would be the latter.
Nobody who has ever played in a football team, coached a football team or even watched football for more than five years, would actually chose Traoré over Lewandowski.

The difference in talent is so huge, I can't believe that some are seriously talking about that ...
 

ROFLUTION

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The reason is the history. Commonwealth, that English is the most spoken language - and that the EPL started far earlier to export their game overseas than the other leagues did. The quality of the game does not have much to do with it - but yes, money probably influences a lot today, too.
I agree, history and language plays it's part, but the main point is still the same. Where there's money, there's often quality. It's quite simple.

There's not a lot of money outside of the top 3/4 in Germany if we include Leverkusen who just sold Havertz. This logically makes the competitions a bit dross. Or the top two in Italy, or PSG in France. On top of that a lot of clubs are struggling in both Germany and Spain + Italy after COVID19, which makes them polster up by selling their best players, instead of giving them big contracts.

I don't get how people can still say that the competition in Germany, Italy or France is the same like in England, so for example Ronaldo could be a candidate for best player in the World. Seriously, go watch an italian game. The football is mostly slow as feck. In Germany it might be more hectic, and with more goals, but the sides outside top 4 is usually quite mediocre. Outside of top 4 the clubs rarely go far in european competition, which adds to my point, that the likes of Lewandowski has an easy time albeit he's playing for a supreme team.

To take the best case example of a player that has the "toughest" schedule in a mediocre league: Lewandowski meets 2-3 good teams in his own league (Dortmund, Leipzig, Leverkusen) x 2 over one season. That's 6 "tough" games. De Bruyne, Salah, Mané, Son, Kane plays good teams every second week. That's at least around 10-14 "tough" games over a season.
 

SilentStrike

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Def seems silly, but some players can be so good at one particular thing they're as good as world class in a team that needs it. He's the best bulldozer that I can see, but that will never translate to the best player on the planet.

My reduction;
  • Of the usual heavyweights peaking or not = Lewandowski.
  • Most skillful and highest top level = Messi
  • New seat at the table = Kimmich
  • Looking like future contenders = Haaland, Camavinga, Fati.
This is pretty much it.
 

Moby

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team - and Adama - unstoppable right wing
There's nothing unstoppable about Adama as shown by every team he faces every week in the PL. He's a headless chicken who on the rare occasion puts a cross that finds a target. Every time theres a wolves attack and the ball goes to him I'm literally sure that it's either going to end with a foul on him in a totally non threatening position or he's gonna run himself into a corner and play it out for a throw in. Nuno has tried in so many roles and has benched him for players like Podence and Neto.
 

GameOn

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You wish. It's only gonna be worse once they retire.
I never understood what's so complicated about this debate. To me it has always been straightforward:

Both are amazing talents. Messi is clearly a bit more naturally gifted in many footballing areas (playmaking, passing, dribbling etc.) and Ronaldo is a harder worker. The last bit sounds like I'm downplaying Ronaldo, but it's actually a huge compliment. Being as dedicated/obsessed as he is is something special in its own. Their overall career accomplishments are pretty even.

So all in all both are All Time Greats (just like Pele, Maradona, Beckenbauer, Cruyff etc.), but most fans will value Messi slightly higher than Ronaldo, since he just had that one bit of "extra magic" or "flair", that Ronaldo just doesn't have.
 

Bennz McCarthey17

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Adama Traore and "best player in the world" in one sentence :nono:. What has this world come into. He's not the best at Wolves, not in the EPL, and certainly not in his National Team.
 

Hansinity

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Of the usual heavyweights peaking or not = Lewandowski.
  • Most skillful and highest top level = Messi
  • New seat at the table = Kimmich
  • Looking like future contenders = Haaland, Camavinga, Fati.
Good one !
 
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I don't think I'd go as far as best in the world, but Goretzka's fast becoming the complete modern midfielder. A genuine all action, box-to-box midfielder who can literally do everything you want from a CM - and has now added a consistent goal output to his game too.
 

RooneyLegend

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I agree, history and language plays it's part, but the main point is still the same. Where there's money, there's often quality. It's quite simple.

There's not a lot of money outside of the top 3/4 in Germany if we include Leverkusen who just sold Havertz. This logically makes the competitions a bit dross. Or the top two in Italy, or PSG in France. On top of that a lot of clubs are struggling in both Germany and Spain + Italy after COVID19, which makes them polster up by selling their best players, instead of giving them big contracts.

I don't get how people can still say that the competition in Germany, Italy or France is the same like in England, so for example Ronaldo could be a candidate for best player in the World. Seriously, go watch an italian game. The football is mostly slow as feck. In Germany it might be more hectic, and with more goals, but the sides outside top 4 is usually quite mediocre. Outside of top 4 the clubs rarely go far in european competition, which adds to my point, that the likes of Lewandowski has an easy time albeit he's playing for a supreme team.

To take the best case example of a player that has the "toughest" schedule in a mediocre league: Lewandowski meets 2-3 good teams in his own league (Dortmund, Leipzig, Leverkusen) x 2 over one season. That's 6 "tough" games. De Bruyne, Salah, Mané, Son, Kane plays good teams every second week. That's at least around 10-14 "tough" games over a season.
Unfortunately premiership clubs are really good at wasting money. The money theory is nice and cute until you realise clubs like ours are messing about misusing all its resources. If it's not one thing its the other. As someone pointed out, when prem clubs run into clubs from other leagues this apparent gap in quality is nowhere to be seen.

These so called good teams would be rendered mediocre by Lewa and his current crew. Ask Spurs and Chelsea last season, got spanked not so differently to how most bundesliga reams are treated by that team on a week to week basis.

So pardon us if we don't quite believe this theory. If Bayern was in the prem only pool and an in form City would live with them. Everyone else would be fodder.
 

Scroto Baggins

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Based on last season Lewandoski De Bruyne and Mane is who I'd say.
Id go with something like these three.

This season so far Kane, Lewandowski the standouts for me, both have been on fire, Lewandowski has 10 goals and 3 assists in 367mins, Kane has 5 goals, 8 assists, 3 blocked shots, 7 clearances, and 9 tackles in 534mins. Insane output from both players.
 

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If we break it down to per league...

Serie A - Ronaldo and uh.. Zlatan?
La Liga - Messi and uh.. just Oblak?
PL - Van Dijk, Kane, Son, De Bruyne and.....
Bundesliga - Lewa, Kimmich, Neuer
Ligue 1 - Neymar and Mbappe(?)

None really standout than all the rest. Some is better than some others in regards to form but generally everyone is on par. For now.
 

kouroux

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If given the choice between Lewandovski - reliable and clinical poacher playing for superb team - and Adama - unstoppable right wing in mediocre team - the thinking man's choice would be the latter.
:lol: Thinking man alright, Traore doesn't even start for Wolves. He's very much stoppable if the defending is done intelligently.
 

Idxomer

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So far this season Kane has 5 goals, 8 assists, 3 blocked shots, 7 clearances, and 9 tackles. A complete box-to-box forward.
He's been amazing and in the best form of his life. Last game, he was the difference-maker at both ends of the pitch.
 

SilentStrike

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If given the choice between Lewandovski - reliable and clinical poacher playing for superb team - and Adama - unstoppable right wing in mediocre team - the thinking man's choice would be the latter.
If you consider Lewandowski merely a clinical poacher you clearly haven't watched him so we can pretty much disqualify your opinion.

The guy's like Zlatan on the ball, less over-the-top flashy but certaibly more effective. His hold up play, ball controll, passing, link-up play and even dribbling are outstanding.
 

Acrobat7

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Seriously thinking about muting this Khalif guy. His posts hurt my brain.
 

MalcolmTucker

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If given the choice between Lewandovski - reliable and clinical poacher playing for superb team - and Adama - unstoppable right wing in mediocre team - the thinking man's choice would be the latter.
No

For the 3-3-1-3 United revolution I've proposed in the Özil thread, the first choice for RW position is Hakimi but now I'm reconsidering and Adama Traore would likely be even better choice. With Amad Traore on the opposite flank.
You've either played too much FM or too little football... or more than likely, both. Please keep us updated on your 3-3-1-3 United revolution though :lol:
 

ForeverRed1

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If mbappe moves to a more competitive league and performs he will be consistently up there for individual prizes. such a shame he plays in French league but then you remember he’s like... 21? Crazy level for his age. I think he is the future. Maybe Haaland too. Big big players.
 

Raees

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In my opinion this is a weird underestimation of Adama.

He's a player with unique physique and dribbling technique, there's no other player with similar qualities. Wouldn't pick him as top 5 in the world currently but he has such potential when used properly.

If given the choice between Lewandovski - reliable and clinical poacher playing for superb team - and Adama - unstoppable right wing in mediocre team - the thinking man's choice would be the latter.

For the 3-3-1-3 United revolution I've proposed in the Özil thread, the first choice for RW position is Hakimi but now I'm reconsidering and Adama Traore would likely be even better choice. With Amad Traore on the opposite flank.
I’m with you. This Lewa chap is overrated. Bigger muscles = better player for sho.
 

Nani Nana

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If mbappe moves to a more competitive league and performs he will be consistently up there for individual prizes. such a shame he plays in French league but then you remember he’s like... 21? Crazy level for his age. I think he is the future. Maybe Haaland too. Big big players.
Plus he will soon be in European Super League so that argument won't hold any more :smirk: