๐Ÿ† The 25 greatest players of the last 25 years: Ruthlessness in 12th place

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๐Ÿ† The 25 greatest players of the last 25 years: Ruthlessness in 12th place

Welcome to OneFootballโ€™s definitive ranking of the 25 greatest players of the last 25 years.

Over the course of 25 days, we will be counting down our top 25 menโ€™s footballers of the 21st century so far, before revealing the winner on 1st January 2025.

Check out the list so far here

Today, our countdown continues withโ€ฆ


12th: Karim Benzema (337 points)

  • Nationality: French (97 caps, 37 goals)

  • Main clubs: Lyon, Real Madrid

  • Major titles won: LaLiga (x4), Ligue 1 (x4), Champions League (x5), UEFA Super Cup (x4), Nations League (x1)

  • Major individual awards: Ballon dโ€™Or (x1), Champions League Top Scorer (x1), LaLiga Player of the Year (x2), LaLiga Top Scorer (x1), Ligue 1 Player of the Year (x1)

  • Highest ranking by voters: 5th (one voter)

Benzema was the unstoppable goalscorer at the focal point of a Real Madrid attack from 2009 until 2023 โ€“ a side which were one of the most dominant of the 21st century.

During that 14-year spell he won five Champions Leagues, four LaLiga titles and racked up 354 goals.

His incredible form over the course of 2021/22 was finally acknowledged with a famous Ballon dโ€™Or success.

Fun fact

๐Ÿ“ธ Florencia Tan Jun โ€“ 2023 Getty Images

During a clash with Barcelona in 2011/12, the Frenchman fired himself into the record books by scoring after just 21 seconds โ€“ the fastest goal in Clรกsico history.

Watch him in action


How we voted

Thirty-eight members of OneFootballโ€™s global editorial team ranked their top 25 players of the 21st century so far. Players ranked at #1 earned 25 points, second place earned 24 points, and so on. In the event of a tie, the player with the highest individual ranking was placed higher on the list.


๐Ÿ“ธ Florencia Tan Jun โ€“ 2023 Getty Images

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