Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and more named in list ranking top 25 men footballers of the 21st century

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo - in that order - occupy the top two spots in ESPN's list of top 25 men's footballers of the 21st century. Thierry Henry, Zinedine Zidane and Luka Modric occupy the next three slots.

Except for Henry, all the others are Ballon d'Or winners, with Messi winning a record eighth and Ronaldo in second with five. Kylian Mbappe, Barcelona legends Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez, and Brazilians Ronaldo Nazario and Ronaldinho complete the top-10.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (#11), Kevin De Bruyne (#12), Toni Kroos (#13), Sergio Ramos (#14) and Carles Puyol (#15) are the next on the list. They are followed by Karim Benzema, Sergio Busquets, Robert Lewandowski, Kaka and Neymar. Andrea Pirlo, Wayne Rooney, Patrick Vieira, Luis Suarez and the legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon complete the top-25.

As per ESPN, the list has been collated after considering numerous votes, with Messi and Ronaldo undoubtedly taking up the top two spots. The duo are widely regarded as two of the best ever to have graced the game and are still going strong despite nearing 40.

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What former players have said about Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo (left) and Lionel Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are the two most prolific scorers in men's international football, with 130 and 109 goals respectively. Both men have scored over 800 goals for club and country and are still going strong.

Having played for some of the top clubs in the world and won big titles galore, the duo have garnered praise from some of the legends of the game. Here's what a few have said about the duo:

"This guy transcends rivalries -- even between Brazil and Argentina" - Ronaldo Nazario about Messi.

"I saw Maradona a couple of times. I never saw Pelé. But Cristiano is amazing. This man is the best. Cristiano is a goal machine. There will never be another Ronaldo." - Rob Dawson

Messi recently won a record 45th title for club and country by winning the 2024 Copa America with Argentina, beating Colombia 1-0 in extra time in the final.