I’m a great journalist. I have friends in many high places, and they’ve been able to confirm to me the 10 footballers who will be the world’s best at the start of the 2028-29 season, so let me communicate that list to you today. The 10 best footballers in 2028/29.
Honorable Mentions:
Bukayo Saka
Gavi
Vitor Roque
Gabriel Martinelli
Vinicius Jr.
10: Endrick
Age: 22
Team: Real Madrid
Position: ST
Best Honor: 2nd in 2026 Ballon D’Or
It just got better for Endrick after joining Madrid in 2024. He went from a bit part striker in the first half of the season to starting striker after Kylian Mbappe’s long-term injury. Madrid found a way to implement both Endrick and Mbappe, and they became so much better. As for Endrick, he also became Brazil’s starting striker and has held the position. After Brazil’s second place in World Cup 2026, he finished 2nd in Ballon D’Or voting as a 20-year old that year.
9: Lamine Yamal
Age: 21
Team: Barcelona
Position: LW
Best Honor: Champions League 2027
Despite his (still) tender age, Lamine Yamal is a seasoned veteran in the Barcelona squad. He’s the perfect mix of having experience yet still being young. He was Barca’s 2nd best player as they lifted the Champions League in 2027, leading Yamal to 4th in Ballon D’Or voting that year as a 20-year old. He was also a key member of the Spain team which reached the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup.
8: Warren Zaire-Emery
Age: 22
Team: Man City
Position: CDM
Best Honor: World Cup win in 2026
Despite his loyalty to PSG in 2023, the bright lights of the Premier League became too much for Warren Zaire-Emery, and he moved to Man City for 125 million in 2025, where he finally took the leap forward. He became the best creator in the Premier League, and win the World Cup in 2026 and the Champions League in 2028.
7: Ronald Araujo
Age: 29
Team: Barcelona
Position: CB
Best Honor: Champions League
Ronald Araujo only got a little better, but his consistency since 2022 has meant his reputation is good enough to put him here. He’s been a savior for Barcelona and Uruguay many times, and finally stopped getting so many big injuries. He was a big piece for Barcelona in their 2027 Champions League, and finished 8th in Ballon D’Or voting.
6: Pedri
Age: 25
Team: Barcelona
Position: CM
Best Honor: 2nd in Ballon D’or
What a player. When fit, leaps and bounds above the rest of the world in terms of creative ability. For Barca, he was incredible, especially in the 26/27 season, and finished 2nd in Ballon D’Or voting. While his 27/28 season was more injury plagued than most, he is still the best creator on the planet.
5: Jamal Musiala
Age: 25
Team: Bayern Munich
Position: CAM
Best Honor: 3rd in Ballon D’Or
Above Pedri, as he is more of a goalscoring threat, and has carried Bayern for the last 3 years, especially in the 2025 run where he led Bayern to the Champions League final. He also led Germany to a bounce back 2026 World Cup Quarterfinals, and finished 3rd in the 2025 Ballon D’Or.
4: Rafael Leao
Age: 29
Team: Man City
Position: LW
Best Honor: Champions League
While many believed that Leao wouldn’t do this well, he just kept on going for Man City, and has created a partnership with Erling Haaland that will be legendary. He’s done everything he can for Man City and Portugal, leading to 2 Premier League titles and 1 Champions League titles in 3 years so far with Man City, scoring over 100 goals in that time, too.
3: Jude Bellingham
Age: 25
Team: Real Madrid
Position: CM
Best Honor: 2024 Ballon D’Or
Jude Bellingham was a contender for best in the World in 2024, and while he isn’t that good, he’s still one of the best in the world, rivalling the greatness of Zidane for Madrid. He’s scored over 100 in 200 Real Madrid appearances, but has taken second fiddle to Mbappe since 2024.
2nd: Erling Haaland
Age: 28
Team: Man City
Position: ST
Best Honor: ‘25, ‘27 Ballon D’Ors
Erling Haaland’s goalscoring has been incredible. Nearly 300 goals in only 6 years for Man City, and he will no doubt go down as the club’s best ever player. He’s got 2 Ballon D’Ors, ad made up for his lack of International tournaments for Norway with a Quarter Final in the 2026 World Cup and Semi final in the 2028 Euros. He is a monster, and has 2 Ballon D’Ors to show for it.
1st: Kylian Mbappe
Age: 29
Team: Real Madrid
Position: RW
Best Honor: Becoming World Cup top goalscorer at 27
The Best. For Sure. Despite having 1 less Ballon D’Ors, winning only the 2026 Ballon D’Or for the Champions League and World Cup, he’s narrowly edged out Haaland for this title. Over 150 Madrid goals in 4 years, with 100 assists to his name as well. Loads of trophies, a second World Cup, in which he became the tournament’s top ever scorer, it’s been smooth sailing for Mbappe.
Anyway, that’s football for the next 5 years, I’ve read the script. Sorry for spoiling it! If you don’t believe me, come back to this in 2028, you’ll see. Anyway, I’m Jim James, until next time!