The 21st century has seen some of the greatest players in football history. Since the year 2000s, generational talents have blossomed into the best footballers the world has to offer. In particular, Europe has produced many world-class players who have enjoyed wonderful careers in the beautiful game.
While Lionel Messi is widely regarded as the greatest of all time, the Argentine is better compared to those from his own continue, which also boasts incredible talent. That said, below is a list of the 10 best European players to have featured in the 21st century. A lot of football is opinion-based and subjective.
Therfore, in order to come to the below conclusions, the following factors have been taken into consideration. For a time, was a sheer force of nature for both club and country. For a short period while at there was a mean joke doing the rounds about him – with Bale playing 24 Premier League games before even winning a game for the north London club.
He soon showed his class, perhaps most memorably at Spurs with a stunning hat trick at San Siro against Inter Milan. The nine seasons he spent at Real Madrid brought an onslaught of high points, particularly in the Champions League, a competition the Welshman had a huge affinity with given he won it five times – scoring three goals in two finals. His first goal in the 2018 final against Liverpool, , will live long in the memory.
Bale was also a huge part of the Welsh side that reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016, the .
