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  4. RANKED: The 23 best footballers in the world right now

RANKED: The 23 best footballers in the world right now

18: 22-year-old Marseille midfielder André-Frank Zambo is an expert tackler with great positional awareness.

RANKED: The 23 best footballers in the world right now

=17: Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane, 24, has scored one goal for every 77 minutes he has played so far this season.

=17: Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane, 24, has scored one goal for every 77 minutes he has played so far this season.

=17: Heung-min Son, a 25-year-old winger for Tottenham Hotspur, scored seven goals in four games from late February to mid-March.

=17: Heung-min Son, a 25-year-old winger for Tottenham Hotspur, scored seven goals in four games from late February to mid-March.

=17: 24-year-old AC Milan winger Suso is one of the best dribblers in Italy.

=17: 24-year-old AC Milan winger Suso is one of the best dribblers in Italy.

16: Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini, 33, is one of the most intelligent centre backs in European football.

16: Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini, 33, is one of the most intelligent centre backs in European football.

15: 30-year-old Juventus forward Gonzalo Higuaín scored 10 goals and provided three assists during a 10-game stretch between late January and mid-March.

15: 30-year-old Juventus forward Gonzalo Higuaín scored 10 goals and provided three assists during a 10-game stretch between late January and mid-March.

14: Liverpool defender Joël Matip, 26, has an 89% pass completion rate.

14: Liverpool defender Joël Matip, 26, has an 89% pass completion rate.

13: Gerard Piqué, a 31-year-old FC Barcelona defender, is an intelligent player who is strong in the air.

13: Gerard Piqué, a 31-year-old FC Barcelona defender, is an intelligent player who is strong in the air.

=12: 32-year-old Napoli player Raúl Albiol is a highly-focused defender.

=12: 32-year-old Napoli player Raúl Albiol is a highly-focused defender.

=12: Paris Saint-Germain defender Thiago Silva, 33, is one of the most consistent players in Europe.

=12: Paris Saint-Germain defender Thiago Silva, 33, is one of the most consistent players in Europe.

11: 30-year-old FC Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitić completes 90% of his passes and averages 72 per league game.

11: 30-year-old FC Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitić completes 90% of his passes and averages 72 per league game.

10: 30-year-old Manchester City defender Nicolás Otamendi is one of the best players in his position in the Premier League.

10: 30-year-old Manchester City defender Nicolás Otamendi is one of the best players in his position in the Premier League.

=9: Napoli full back Mário Rui, 26, is an expert tackler with a good passing range.

=9: Napoli full back Mário Rui, 26, is an expert tackler with a good passing range.

=9: 24-year-old AC Milan midfielder Hakan Çalhanoğlu is a constant threat from set piece scenarios.

=9: 24-year-old AC Milan midfielder Hakan Çalhanoğlu is a constant threat from set piece scenarios.

8: 21-year-old Tottenham Hotspur defender Davinson Sánchez has been a big-game player this season.

8: 21-year-old Tottenham Hotspur defender Davinson Sánchez has been a big-game player this season.

7: Tottenham Hotspur's Mousa Dembélé, 30, is one of his club's key players in the heart of midfield.

7: Tottenham Hotspur

6: 30-year-old Napoli midfielder Marek Hamšík has created 40 goal-scoring opportunities this season.

6: 30-year-old Napoli midfielder Marek Hamšík has created 40 goal-scoring opportunities this season.

=5: Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Christian Eriksen, 26, has scored or created 15 goals from 29 Premier League starts.

=5: Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Christian Eriksen, 26, has scored or created 15 goals from 29 Premier League starts.

=5: 25-year-old Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah has scored or created one goal for every 67 minutes he has played so far this season.

=5: 25-year-old Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah has scored or created one goal for every 67 minutes he has played so far this season.

4: Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly, 26, is the best player in his position in Italy right now, according to CIES.

4: Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly, 26, is the best player in his position in Italy right now, according to CIES.

3: 33-year-old Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has scored or created one goal for every 67 minutes he has played so far this season.

3: 33-year-old Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has scored or created one goal for every 67 minutes he has played so far this season.

2: Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos, 28, is a pass master with an average accuracy rate of 93%.

2: Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos, 28, is a pass master with an average accuracy rate of 93%.

1: 30-year-old FC Barcelona winger Lionel Messi is the most in-form footballer on the planet, according to CIES.

1: 30-year-old FC Barcelona winger Lionel Messi is the most in-form footballer on the planet, according to CIES.

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