Top 11 Players Who Made It to the Best World XI of 2022

Ruben Dias, born on May 14, 1997, in Amadora, Portugal, is a product of Benfica's youth academy and made a high-profile move to Manchester City for a record fee of €68 million. Standing tall at 1.87 meters, he is considered the ideal central defender for dealing with dangerous attacking situations.

His strengths lie in his precise passing and ability to maintain focus in every situation. These qualities were crucial during Manchester City's defensive crisis. Besides his tactical compatibility with Pep Guardiola’s philosophy, Dias is a natural leader who helps his teammates manage defensive spaces. With few weaknesses in his game, Dias has proven to be the perfect central defender for City’s defensive needs. At the Etihad, he played a vital role in helping Pep Guardiola’s side win the Premier League title and reach their first-ever Champions League final. Ruben Dias has shown he is worth every penny of the €68 million investment. With 50 appearances across all competitions for Manchester City, the 24-year-old defender has settled in quickly, playing 32 matches in the Premier League during his debut season, scoring once, and contributing to 15 clean sheets for City in the top flight.

The Portuguese international was named the Premier League Player of the Year for the 2020/2021 season by the Football Writers’ Association (FWA). After a stellar season, Manchester City rewarded him with a new contract until 2027, and he earned his place in the Best World XI of 2022.

Kevin De Bruyne, born June 30, 1991, is a Belgian professional footballer who currently plays as an attacking midfielder for Manchester City and the Belgium national team. Widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world, De Bruyne is renowned for his exceptional passing, shooting, and crossing abilities. His all-around skill set has earned him the reputation of being a near-perfect footballer.

Over the years, his contributions have been pivotal to Manchester City's success, helping the team win 4 Premier League titles, 1 FA Cup, and 5 EFL Cups. De Bruyne has become an integral part of Pep Guardiola's tactical setup, and together with the midfield, they are one of the most formidable attacking units in football. His dribbling is smooth, and his ability to strike the ball with both feet is impressive, causing problems for goalkeepers with his powerful shots. De Bruyne's vision and passing range make him a key playmaker, and he is also a member of the PFA Team of the Year, having won the PFA Player of the Year award as Manchester City's first recipient of the honor.

In 2022, Kevin De Bruyne continued to deliver standout performances, not only at the club level but also with the Belgium national team, securing his place in the Best World XI of 2022.

Jorginho, born December 20, 1991, is a Brazilian-Italian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Chelsea and the Italy national team. He primarily operates as a defensive or deep-lying midfielder, often referred to as a 'regista' in Italian football.

As a key player for Italy's UEFA Euro 2020-winning team, Jorginho was named to the tournament’s Best XI for his outstanding performances. In 2021, he was awarded UEFA Men’s Player of the Year and finished third in the Ballon d'Or rankings. He became one of the rare players to win both the Champions League and Euro 2020 in the same year. Jorginho played a crucial role in Chelsea’s 1-0 victory over Manchester City in the Champions League final on May 29, and he also helped Italy secure a 3-2 victory over England in the Euro 2020 final after a penalty shootout at Wembley. Known for his precise passing, tactical vision, and game control, Jorginho has been instrumental in helping both Chelsea and Italy dominate possession. His performance in the 2020-2021 season included 43 appearances for Chelsea, along with seven starts at Euro 2020, where he played a pivotal role in Italy's midfield, orchestrating play like the heart of the team.

Through his immense contributions and successes over the years, Jorginho has proven to be one of the best midfielders in the world, tirelessly dedicating himself to both his club and country.

N'Golo Kanté, born March 29, 1991, is a French professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Chelsea and the France national team.

Despite his relatively small stature, Kanté is regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. A well-rounded player, he excels both in defense and attack. His exceptional stamina and tireless work ethic allow him to cover every inch of the field, acting as a relentless ball-winner despite his modest size. Kanté’s ability to read the game, anticipate opposition moves, and his outstanding tackling skills make him an invaluable presence in breaking up attacks. Furthermore, he is a key figure in initiating offensive play, using his speed and sharp vision to make counter-attacks or deliver pinpoint passes. Whether defending or pushing forward, Kanté is a dynamic force for both Chelsea and France. His standout performances in the 2020/21 Champions League campaign led many to believe he could be a strong contender for the Ballon d'Or.

Kanté’s best finish in the Ballon d'Or rankings was 8th, but this year, his impressive form has earned him a spot among the best midfielders in the world.

Cristiano Ronaldo, born February 5, 1985, is a Portuguese footballer currently playing for Manchester United in the Premier League. Known for his exceptional physical attributes, Ronaldo plays primarily as a winger or forward.

At 36, an age typically considered the decline phase for most footballers, Ronaldo still maintains a physique that millions envy. Despite his challenging time at Manchester United, expectations remain high for the Portuguese star. As a long-standing rival to Messi, fans have dreamt of a final showdown between these two legends. Ronaldo, the captain of Portugal and five-time Ballon d'Or winner, arrives in Qatar with the mission of proving he can still make a difference on the field. Undoubtedly one of the greatest forwards of all time, Ronaldo’s recent struggles with Manchester United and Portugal have raised questions about whether his illustrious career will end on a sour note. However, with 117 goals from 191 international appearances, he remains the top scorer in men’s international football. From his first goal for Portugal against Greece in Euro 2004 to his most recent double against Switzerland in June 2022, his 18-year journey continues to inspire generations of footballers.

The name Cristiano Ronaldo will forever echo in the minds of football fans, and his legacy as one of the greatest forwards of all time will always be celebrated.

Erling Haaland, born on July 21, 2000, is a Norwegian footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester City and the Norwegian national team. In the 2019-2020 UEFA Champions League, he became the youngest player ever to score in five consecutive matches.

Haaland was recently named the PFA Premier League Player of the Month for August, based on votes from fans. Earlier, he won the same honor for the month of August, voted on by fans, experts, and team captains of Premier League clubs. Clearly, Haaland is off to an incredible start with Manchester City and in the Premier League. He has become a nightmare for defenders, who must remain alert throughout the match to stop him. But sheer effort isn't always enough, as Haaland is exceptional at seizing opportunities. With 13 goals in 8 matches, averaging more than 1.6 goals per game, he continues to break records and is in outstanding form. If a forward’s value is measured by goals, the former Dortmund star is excelling. According to BBC, Haaland has posted terrifying goal-scoring stats in the 2022/23 season. In his last 11 matches, the Norwegian forward scored 17 goals and made 3 assists. In the first 8 rounds of the 2022/23 Premier League, Haaland netted 14 goals, surpassing the records of Mick Quinn, Papiss Cissé, and Diego Costa in their first 10 matches.

Haaland also became the first player in Premier League history to score a hat-trick in three consecutive home games. If we exclude home games, it took him only 8 matches to accomplish this. Undoubtedly, he claims the spot of the top forward in the world’s best lineup.

Robert Lewandowski, born on August 21, 1988, is a professional Polish footballer who currently plays as a striker for La Liga's Barcelona and serves as the captain of the Polish national team. Known for his positioning, technique, and finishing, he is widely regarded as one of the world's best forwards, having scored over 500 goals in his career for both club and country.

The all-time top scorer in Bundesliga history, Lewandowski won the 2020-21 European Golden Shoe. He is also a two-time FIFA The Best winner and was named UEFA Men’s Player of the Year in 2020. In the 2020 calendar year, the Polish striker scored 55 goals and provided 10 assists across 47 matches, outperforming Lionel Messi (31 goals, 27 assists in 44 matches) and Cristiano Ronaldo (37 goals, 7 assists in 46 matches). Regarding trophies, Lewandowski surpassed his rivals, leading Bayern Munich to 5 titles, including the Champions League, Bundesliga, UEFA Super Cup, domestic cup, and the German Super Cup. He also edged out Messi and Mohamed Salah to win the FIFA The Best 2021, making it his second consecutive win, equaling Cristiano Ronaldo's record since the award's inception in 2016.

Lewandowski remains a top pick for experts and fans alike when choosing the key striker for the world’s best team. Through his contributions at both club and national level, he continually excels in his role as captain.

While many stars are struggling with poor fitness, injuries, or fatigue, Lionel Messi continues to shine in stunning form. Fans in Argentina eagerly anticipate seeing their top superstar perform on the grandest stage of all.

This comes as no surprise, as Messi has adapted to a new footballing environment, and no longer has the luxury of focusing all his energy on the game as he once did. Age is another factor, yet Messi's current brilliance is nothing short of remarkable. Recently, Messi scored two goals and assisted two others in a single Champions League match. Some newspapers even ranked him as the number one player in form right now, surpassing teammates like Kylian Mbappé at PSG, as well as stars like Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne. This season, Messi not only continues to score and assist but also shows that he's playing with joy and inspiration at the age of 35. In 18 appearances for both PSG and the Argentina national team this season, Messi has failed to score or assist in just 3 of them. He has contributed 15 goals and 12 assists, truly remarkable numbers. It's clear that no attacking player in Europe has been more involved in direct goal contributions than Messi this season.

Of course, discussing Messi also means talking about his playing style, his technical brilliance, and his immense influence on the team, both tactically and mentally. He remains an everlasting legend, beloved by fans, and continues to be the world’s number one forward.

Gianluigi Donnarumma, born February 25, 1999, is a professional Italian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1 and the Italy national team.

The goalkeeper Donnarumma ended his memorable EURO campaign by saving two penalty kicks in the shootout, playing a crucial role in Italy’s victory over England, securing their second-ever European Championship title. Earlier, in the semi-final against Spain, he also saved a crucial penalty from Alvaro Morata, sending Italy into the final.

For his outstanding contributions, Donnarumma was named the UEFA Player of the Tournament, making history as the first goalkeeper to win the award. His achievement was even more remarkable considering he was just 22 years old at the time. In 2016, at the age of 17 years and 189 days, Donnarumma became the youngest goalkeeper to ever represent Italy, replacing Gianluigi Buffon in a friendly against France. In March 2017, he became the youngest goalkeeper to start for Italy at just 18 years and 31 days. Under Roberto Mancini’s management, Donnarumma was made Italy’s number one goalkeeper in 2018, and since then, he has been an integral part of the team. Italy has only lost one match with Donnarumma as the starting goalkeeper, a 1-0 defeat to Portugal in the UEFA Nations League. In his 33 appearances for Italy, Donnarumma has conceded just 18 goals and kept 15 clean sheets.

Donnarumma is widely regarded as the best goalkeeper in the world for the next decade, and even now, he’s firmly established himself as one of the top players in the world for 2022. His career has been marked by relentless effort and determination, and he’s now on a path to even greater success.

David Alaba, born June 24, 1992, is a professional footballer from Austria with Nigerian roots, currently playing for Real Madrid in La Liga and serving as the captain of the Austrian national team. Alaba is versatile, excelling in multiple positions, though his primary role has been left-back, more recently moving into central defense or defensive midfield.

Alaba is now regarded as one of the top defenders in the world. His strengths include aerial duels, tackling, precise passing, and his ability to control the ball under pressure. While his crossing ability has declined, his long passes forward have become a key asset. Coach Carlo Ancelotti is particularly confident in Alaba's ability to thrive in all three positions on the field, making him a highly valuable 3-in-1 player for Real Madrid. Alaba's presence has made it easier for Madrid to cope with the departures of key figures like Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane, as Ancelotti now has Alaba to strengthen the defense. Alaba's versatility was also on display during EURO 2020, where Austria’s coach Franco Foda used him in various roles across matches, ensuring top-level performances until Austria's elimination by Italy in the Round of 16 after extra time.

David Alaba is the first center-back to make it into this prestigious lineup, and he is also the only central defender from Real Madrid to be included in the World’s Best XI. The 30-year-old has accumulated years of experience at the highest levels of world football, and his qualities as a central defender have earned him high praise from experts around the globe.

Leonardo Bonucci, born on May 1, 1987, is a professional footballer from Italy who plays as a center-back. He is the captain of both Juventus and the Italian national team.

EURO 2020 was a defining tournament for Bonucci, where he not only scored in the final but also fought valiantly throughout the competition to help Italy defeat every opponent. At Juventus, he has been a key figure in defense alongside Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli, contributing to six consecutive Serie A titles. Internationally, he has over 100 caps for Italy, participating in numerous prestigious tournaments. Bonucci is known for his technical skills, excellent passing range, and ability to initiate attacks from the back. Despite his towering frame, he is quick in short bursts. He possesses great strength, sharp game awareness, and an outstanding ability to win aerial duels. Pep Guardiola has praised Bonucci as one of his favorite players. In 2021, he was recognized as one of Italy’s greatest defenders, and in 2012, The Guardian ranked him as the 88th best player in the world, later moving up to 26th place in 2016.

In addition to his defensive prowess, Bonucci is an exceptional leader and organizer, making him instrumental in the tactical structure of both Juventus and the Italian national team. Thanks to his immense contributions, he was selected for the prestigious World XI in 2022.