A New Wave of Rivalry: Footballers Who Can Challenge Messi and Ronaldo’s Rank

November 10, 2024

Lionel Messi and Christiano Ronaldo have been on top of the soccer realm for years, leaving no room for others to challenge their status. Even online betting websites have no doubt in their footballing influence. However, there is currently a rise of new stars in the world of soccer who have substantial potential to rival the long-running soccer diamonds.

Jadon Sancho

Jadon’s mouth-watering close control and ability to find weak spots of the opposite team make him a remarkable winger of today. His excellence at 1v1 situations leaves any defender speechless, being an absolute menace in any attack. Being just 24, his effortless movements are impossible to get eyes off.

This outstanding footballer was hunted by many European clubs and ended up in Manchester United along with Ronaldo himself. Although Christiano has left the club, he definitely gave Sancho a chance to learn from him.

João Félix

Goal-scoring talent combined with dribbling and speed can be easily attributed to Felix as he has it all to be the best. Originally from Portugal, he entered professional soccer at the age of 18, leading Benfica to win the league title the same year. Felix quickly caught the attention of the fans due to his Golden Boy and U21 player awards. Top football clubs in Europe are chasing him to sign the contract, which he did for a record breaking €126 million in 2019. Being a trophy to the national team, this bright soccer player are about to prove a similar potential to that of Messy and Ronaldo.

Vinicius Junior

Brazilian pacy winger Vinicius Junior, who found himself playing for Real Madrid, resembles the fate of Ronaldo. Junior’s partnering with his team and especially Karim Benzema make up a strategy destined for success. Vinicius has also displayed a great degree of tirelessness on the field, proving his goal-scoring potential and defensive vigour. Although being in his 20s, he can be a solid rival to the legends of soccer.

Erling Haaland

As young as Haaland is, he is already considered among the best players on the globe. His striking and goal-scoring of any kind coupled with physical strength and rapidity make him a threat for defenders.

His professional path started in Norway, playing for Bryne. After that, he moved on to RB Salzburg, leading him to excel at UEFA Champions League matches in the 2019/20 season.

Borussia Dortmund became his next destination to set new records. Now, Manchester City boasts having him as an electrifying striker that brings victory after victory.

Kylian Mbappé

Kylian Mbappé is a modern genius of today’s football. His young stages of career were no challenge for him, with a world cup title at age of 19. There was no doubt in him scaling higher than this. His finishing abilities blended with extraordinary pace are second to none. In 2018, he made a historic step, which was signing a contract with PSG (worth €180 million without add-ons). The most expensive teenager player in history back then is surely an intimidating figure to challenge the renowned Messi and Ronaldo.

Playing now for Real Madrid, the 25-year-old striker is an indispensable part of the French national team and of the most valuable players after Ronaldo and Messi.

Updated Dec 6, 9:28 PM UTC