1. Christian Eriksen
Christian Dannemann Eriksen born on February 14, 1992, is a professional Danish footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Serie A club Inter Milan and the Denmark national team. Eriksen began his career at Dutch club Ajax, where he won the Eredivisie titles in 2010-2011, 2011-2012, and 2012-2013. In 2014, he joined Tottenham and was named the club’s Player of the Year in his first season. Over his seven years at Spurs, he earned Player of the Year honors again in 2016-2017. During the 2018-2019 season, Eriksen became the second player after David Beckham to record more than 10 assists in four consecutive Premier League seasons, and played a crucial role in Tottenham reaching the 2019 UEFA Champions League final. In January 2020, he signed with Italian club Inter Milan.
Eriksen made his debut for the Danish national team in March 2010 and was the youngest player for Denmark in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. During the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, Eriksen played a key role in helping Denmark reach the knockout stage, where they were eliminated by Croatia in a penalty shootout. He has been named Denmark's Footballer of the Year a record five times. Despite his physical disadvantages, Eriksen’s skillful footwork makes him a constant threat to opposing defenses. Whether it's a sharp shot on goal or a precise assist for his teammates, Eriksen is always dangerous. His chemistry with Harry Kane and Dele Alli has been key to Tottenham’s attacking strength.


2. Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne plays an essential role in Pep Guardiola’s tactical setup. He and captain David Silva are the most dangerous playmakers in attack. Not only does De Bruyne possess incredible dribbling skills, but his ability to strike the ball with both feet is also remarkable. His shots are powerful and precise, often creating problems for goalkeepers. Born on June 28, 1991, De Bruyne is an attacking midfielder for Premier League club Manchester City and the Belgium national team. Known for his exceptional passing, shooting, and crossing abilities, he is widely regarded as one of the world’s top players and often described as a 'complete footballer.' He has been included in the PFA Team of the Year and won the PFA Player of the Year award, making him the first Manchester City player to win this honor. He also finished second in the 2019-2020 UEFA Men's Player of the Year award voting.
De Bruyne began his career at Gent before joining Racing Genk, where he continued to develop and made his first-team debut in 2008. On May 9, 2009, he played his first match for Genk, and on February 7, 2010, he scored his first goal in a 1-0 victory over Standard Liège. In the 2010-2011 season, he contributed 5 goals and 16 assists in 32 matches, helping Racing Genk win their third Belgian league title. On October 29, 2011, De Bruyne scored a hat-trick in a thrilling 5-4 win over Club Brugge KV. In 2012, he joined Chelsea for €7 million, although he continued playing for Racing Genk until the end of the season. After returning to Chelsea, he was called up by manager José Mourinho for their summer tour. On July 21, 2013, he scored a goal in a friendly against Malaysia XI. On August 18, 2013, he made his competitive debut for Chelsea, contributing an assist in a 2-0 win over Hull City in the opening match of the season.


3. Franck Ribery
Franck Henry Pierre Ribéry was born on April 7, 1983, and is a French footballer known for his incredible talent and versatility. Ribéry played for several clubs in France, most notably Marseille, before moving to Bayern Munich, where he made a name for himself as one of the most complete players, excelling in 'speed, strength, technique, and playmaking.' After joining Bayern, he was recognized as the best French player of his generation. The legendary Zinedine Zidane referred to him as the 'treasure of French football.' Although Ribéry’s peak years may be behind him, his skillful and unpredictable playing style still remains. With the ball on the wing, his dribbling with both feet and his ability to deliver dangerous crosses and shots near the post were often game-changers. Despite his aging and the toll of injuries, his mastery of the game has not faded.
After playing for four different clubs in France, Ribéry moved to Turkey in January 2005, joining Galatasaray, one of the country's top teams. He signed a -year contract and helped the club win the Turkish Cup in 2005, scoring and assisting in a 5-1 win over Fenerbahçe. Ribéry later expressed his desire to return to France and play for Marseille, even agreeing to forgo his salary. On April 25, 2007, Galatasaray filed a lawsuit to prevent Ribéry from joining Marseille, but the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled in Ribéry’s favor, stating his contract with Galatasaray had ended. Ribéry made 68 appearances for Marseille, scoring 14 goals and helping the club finish second in Ligue 1 in the 2006-2007 season. On June 7, 2007, Bayern Munich signed Ribéry for a record fee of €25 million. Ribéry was given the number 7 jersey after Mehmet Scholl's departure. He scored twice in his debut match for Bayern and followed up with two more goals against Werder Bremen. He continued to impress, even in the semifinals, scoring to help Bayern defeat reigning champions VfB Stuttgart, although he was injured and unable to play in the final.


4. Heung Min Son
Son Heung-min, born on July 8, 1992, is a South Korean professional footballer who plays as a forward for Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur and is also the captain of the South Korean national team. Widely regarded as one of the best wingers in the world and one of Asia's finest footballers, Son has also earned a spot among the greatest Asian players in European football history. He is seen as an icon of both South Korean sport and culture. Son began his football development at the youth academy of Hamburger SV and made his professional debut in the Bundesliga in 2010. In 2013, he moved to Bayer Leverkusen for a club-record fee of €10 million, where he played in prestigious competitions like the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Champions League. Two years later, he joined Tottenham Hotspur for a then-record £22 million, becoming the most expensive Asian player in history. He is the only Asian player to win the Premier League Player of the Month award and has also become the highest-scoring Asian player in UEFA Champions League history.
Since making his debut for the national team in 2010, Son has represented South Korea in the 2014 and 2018 World Cups. He shares the record for the most goals scored by a South Korean player in World Cup history, alongside Park Ji-sung and Ahn Jung-hwan, with three goals. In addition to World Cup appearances, Son played in the AFC Asian Cups of 2011, 2015, and 2019, helping South Korea win a bronze medal in 2011 and finish as runners-up in 2015. He was also instrumental in guiding the South Korean Olympic team to the quarterfinals of the 2016 Rio Olympics and winning a gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games, a feat that granted him an exemption from mandatory military service. Son is the only Asian player on this list, and he has become the 'pride of Asia' in European football, surpassing the likes of Kagawa and Okazaki. After spending some time as a substitute at Tottenham, Son has proven his worth and secured a starting role. His greatest strength lies in his ability to perform well with both feet, and many memorable goals have been scored by Son with either his left or right foot.


5. Wesley Sneijder
Wesley Sneijder, born June 9, 1984, is a retired Dutch footballer who enjoyed a brilliant career. A product of Ajax Amsterdam's youth system, Sneijder played for both Ajax and Real Madrid before making a significant move to Inter Milan in 2009. In his first season at Inter, he helped the club secure a historic treble: Serie A, Coppa Italia, and the UEFA Champions League. Sneijder also represented the Netherlands in numerous major international tournaments, including Euro 2004, World Cup 2006, Euro 2008, World Cup 2010, Euro 2012, and World Cup 2014. His greatest achievement came in 2010 when he led the Netherlands to the World Cup final, finishing as runners-up. On August 13, 2019, Sneijder officially retired from international football after an illustrious 28-year career.
2010 was undoubtedly the peak of Wesley Sneijder's career. That year, he was named the best player of the 2010 World Cup and won the Champions League with Inter Milan. Many football fans still believe that not awarding him the Ballon d'Or that year was a grave injustice. Sneijder's skills were extremely well-rounded. Despite his shorter stature, he always made an impact on the field. His free kicks, thunderous shots with both feet, and pinpoint through balls for his forwards made him one of the most complete midfielders of his generation. Even in his later years, Sneijder remained a key player for Galatasaray, proving his quality on the field.


6. Santi Cazorla
Santi Cazorla is the only player who can take free kicks with both feet. This highlights just how naturally versatile the Spanish midfielder is with either foot. Cazorla himself has even admitted that he no longer knows which foot is his dominant one. In a match against Watford, Koscielny asked Cazorla to switch feet for a corner kick, and, true to form, the Spanish star effortlessly made the change and took the corner with his other foot. Born on December 13, 1984, in Llanera, Asturias, Santiago "Santi" Cazorla González is a Spanish footballer currently playing for Al Sadd in Qatar's top division.
Cazorla is most often deployed as a winger, but he can play anywhere across the attacking line or even excel in defensive midfield. He was part of the Spanish squad for two UEFA European Championships, 2008 and 2012, helping Spain win the title in both tournaments. Cazorla joined Arsenal from Málaga on August 7, 2012, for a transfer fee of approximately £15 million. After joining, he was named in the squad for Arsenal's friendly against FC Koln. Spanish media outlets such as Marca and AS have referred to him as a “legend.” Even coach Robert Moreno praised the 35-year-old, stating, "Given the injuries he has overcome, Cazorla's goal today was truly special."


7. Pedro
Pedro Eliezer Rodriguez Ledesma, born on July 28, 1987, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain, is commonly known as Pedro or Pedrito. He currently plays as a winger for A.S. Roma. Though naturally right-footed, Pedro is highly proficient with his left foot. He is also renowned for his excellent positioning and powerful, accurate shots, particularly from long distances. Pedro joined Barcelona’s youth academy at the age of 17, and from 2008 to 2015, he made 321 appearances, scoring 99 goals for the Catalan club, winning 20 titles, including five La Liga championships and three UEFA Champions League trophies. In the 2009-2010 season, he became the first player in history to score in six different official competitions in a single season. Pedro left Barcelona for Chelsea in August 2015, where he added Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Europa League titles to his collection. In the summer of 2020, Pedro moved to A.S. Roma on a free transfer.
For the Spanish national team, Pedro made his debut in May 2010 and went on to win the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 UEFA European Championship. His goals played a key role in Chelsea's march towards the Premier League title. His trademark curled shots, often coming from both feet, became a fan favorite. Those who watched Pedro during his time at Barcelona would not be surprised, as he regularly showcased his ability with both feet. Pedro scored his first goal of the 2019-2020 season in a 7-1 win over Grimsby Town in the third round of the EFL Cup. On March 8, 2020, he netted his first Premier League goal of the season in a 4-0 victory over Everton. This marked his first Premier League goal in over a year. Pedro’s final appearance for Chelsea came in the 2020 FA Cup Final, where he was substituted in for Christian Pulisic. He suffered an injury in stoppage time and had to be carried off on a stretcher after requiring oxygen. Over nearly five years at Chelsea, Pedro played 201 games and scored 43 goals.


8. Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo, born on February 5, 1985, is a Portuguese footballer currently playing as a forward for Juventus and captaining the Portugal national team. Considered one of the greatest players of all time, Ronaldo is the holder of five Ballon d'Or awards and four European Golden Shoes, both records for a European player. Over the course of his career, he has amassed 32 titles, including seven domestic league titles, five UEFA Champions League trophies, a UEFA European Championship, and a UEFA Nations League. Ronaldo holds the record for most international goals (109, tied with Ali Daei), most goals in the UEFA Champions League (134), and most assists (42) in the competition, along with the most goals in the UEFA European Championship (14). He is one of the few players to have surpassed 1,100 career appearances, scoring over 780 goals for club and country. He is also the second player to reach 100 international goals, and the first European to achieve this feat.
Ronaldo's skillful legs allow him to do virtually anything with the ball. His powerful shots challenge Europe's top goalkeepers, and both of his feet are incredibly precise. His ability to score from nearly any position is undeniable. In 2015, the Portuguese Football Federation honored Ronaldo as the greatest Portuguese player of all time. He made his international debut in 2003 at the age of 18, and now has over 170 appearances for the national team, becoming Portugal's most-capped player and all-time top scorer. Ronaldo scored his first international goal at Euro 2004, helping Portugal reach the final. He was appointed team captain in July 2008 and led Portugal to its first major international title with the Euro 2016 championship, earning the Silver Boot as the tournament's second top scorer. He also guided Portugal to victory in the UEFA Nations League in 2019, and claimed the Golden Boot as the top scorer of Euro 2020.


9. Manuel Neuer
Manuel Peter Neuer, born on March 27, 1986, is a professional footballer from Germany, playing as a goalkeeper and captaining both Bayern Munich and the Germany national team. He is considered one of the greatest goalkeepers in football history. Neuer is renowned for his unique playing style as a 'sweeper-keeper,' using his exceptional speed to venture outside the penalty area and clear the ball. In 2020, the International Federation of Football History and Statistics recognized him as the best goalkeeper of the decade (2011-2020). Neuer took over Schalke 04’s starting goalkeeper role from the experienced Frank Rost during the 2006/07 Bundesliga season. On March 5, 2008, in a UEFA Champions League knockout match against FC Porto, Neuer made a series of stunning saves and helped Schalke win in a penalty shootout, saving two key shots to send his team to the quarterfinals. He played every Bundesliga match during the 2007/08 season.
In June 2011, despite having a contract with Schalke until 2012, Neuer transferred to Bayern Munich. In the 2011-2012 season, Neuer led Bayern to the UEFA Champions League final, though they lost to Chelsea on penalties after a 1-1 draw. The following year, Bayern defeated Barcelona 7-0 on aggregate in the semifinals and triumphed over Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in the final, with Arjen Robben scoring the winning goal. Neuer played a crucial role with several key saves in the final, with the only goal conceded coming from a penalty by İlkay Gündoğan. Neuer also won the 2014 World Cup with Germany and earned the Golden Glove award for best goalkeeper at the tournament.


10. Toni Kroos
Toni Kroos, born on January 4, 1990, in Greifswald, is a German footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Real Madrid. He joined Bayern Munich's youth academy in 2006, where his extraordinary talent quickly shone through, earning him a place in the first team at just 17. However, it was after a successful loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen that he became a regular starter. During his time at Bayern, Kroos won numerous titles, including 3 Bundesliga titles and a UEFA Champions League trophy in 2013. Kroos has been praised by the media and fellow players for his exceptional qualities as an attacking midfielder. His international debut came in 2010, and after helping Germany win the 2014 World Cup, Kroos announced his move to Real Madrid in the summer transfer window for a reported fee of €30 million.
In his first season at Real Madrid (2014-2015), despite a successful individual campaign, the club only secured two minor trophies: the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup. The following season (2015-2016), Real Madrid had a slower start but managed to win the prestigious UEFA Champions League, marking the historic 'Undecima' title for the club. Toni Kroos truly became the 'master' of Real Madrid's midfield, known for his calm and composed style of play. His passing range and crossing ability are of the highest quality, and his trademark curling shots from distance have often caused problems for goalkeepers.

