Top 10 players with the best winning ratio in the 21st century

Neymar and Thomas Muller have ended on the winning side more often than not
Neymar and Thomas Muller have ended on the winning side more often than not

Ultimately, football, like any sport is about winning. The best in the business care about winning every game every week, whether it be a second division opponent or one of the best teams in the world.

While this mentality is harboured by many, only few have the necessary talent and work ethic to win for a considerable period of time. The likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have often been applauded for their winning mentality.

On that note, we look at:

Top 10 players with the best winning ratio in the 21st century


#10 THOMAS MULLER | 73.6% of all games won

Thomas Muller has been a fine servant for Bayern Munich
Thomas Muller has been a fine servant for Bayern Munich

A highly unorthodox player with unpredictable patterns of play, Thomas Muller has been a fine servant for Bayern Munich since his debut in 2008.

An extremely versatile attacker who can create as well as score goals, Muller's ability to find space, as well as his positional awareness, has made his one of the best forward players of his generation. The Germany international can play as a striker, a second striker, on the wings or as an attacking midfielder.

Muller might not be aesthetically pleasing to watch, but more often than not he gets the job done. The 30-year old has made 533 appearances in all competitions for Bayern Munich, scoring 199 goals and providing 193 assists.


#9 TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD | 73.9% of all games won

Trent Alexander-Arnold is a Liverpool academy graduate
Trent Alexander-Arnold is a Liverpool academy graduate

Already regarded as one of the best right-backs in the world, Trent Alexander-Arnold's rise to the top has been impressive.

The Liverpool academy graduate made his debut for the club in 2016, and has not looked back since then. A highly creative player with exceptional passing and crossing ability, many critics believe Alexander-Arnold ca play in midfield for club and country because of his unique skill-set.

The 21-year old is an extremely proficient attacker on the right-hand side for Liverpool, and has proven to be an efficient set-piece taker as well. The England international has made 134 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool so far.


#8 EDERSON MORAES | 74% of all games won

Ederson before a Manchester City game
Ederson before a Manchester City game

In a Manchester City squad laden with superstars, the performances of goalkeeper Ederson Moraes often goes unnoticed.

Manchester City paid Benfica €40 million in 2017 for Ederson's signature, and he immediately replaced Claudio Bravo in goal for the club. The Brazil international is a modern goalkeeper, good with the ball at this feet. Often, it is Ederson who initiates a Manchester City attack due to his extremely good passing ability.

While he has made a few mistakes in the season gone by, there is no denying his quality. At 26 years of age, he is yet to hit his peak. Ederson has made 144 appearances in all competitions for Manchester City.


Also Read: 5 changes Barcelona need to make to return to the top

#7 DAVID ALABA | 74% of all games won

David Alaba has a year left in his contract
David Alaba has a year left in his contract

The ultimate utility man, David Alaba has been one of the best players in the Bundesliga for some time now.

A Bayern Munich academy graduate, Alaba is well-renowned for his versatility. The Austria international can play as a left-back, centre-back, in midfield as well as on the wings. His passing, technical ability, match intelligence and athleticism is such that his quality never drops no matter which position he plays in.

The 28-year old has only one year left in his Bayern Munich contract and has been linked with moves to Barcelona, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Juventus and Manchester City. Since his debut in 2010, Alaba has made 384 appearances in all competitions for the Bavarians.


#6 THIAGO | 74.6% of all games won

Thiago has been linked with Liverpool
Thiago has been linked with Liverpool

One of the best midfielders in the world when in full flow, Thiago has been a vital component in midfield for Bayern Munich.

The Spain international joined Bayern Munich from Barcelona in 2013 for €25 million. While he has had a few injury concerns, the midfielder has been pivotal to Bayern's successes over the years. An aesthetically pleasing midfielder with good dribbling and passing skills, Thiago has been a fine player for Bayern Munich.

Like Alaba, Thiago has only one year left in his Bayern Munich contract. The 29-year old has refused to sign a new deal, with a move to Liverpool mooted. The midfielder has made 233 appearances in all competitions for Bayern Munich.


#5 ADRIEN RABIOT | 75.6% of all games won

Adrien Rabiot during his Paris Saint-Germain days
Adrien Rabiot during his Paris Saint-Germain days

While Adrien Rabiot might not be the easiest player to deal with off-the-field, there is no denying his quality on it.

A Paris Saint-Germain youth product who made more than 200 appearances in all competitions for the club, Rabiot decided to move to Juventus on a free last summer. After a slow start, the 25-year old became a vital cog in Juventus' midfield, with his strong technical as well as passing ability coming to the fore.

The France international, who was linked with Everton and Manchester United in January after a poor start to his Juventus career, looks settled now. Rabiot made 37 appearances in all competitions for Juventus last season, scoring one goal.


#4 NEYMAR | 76.3% of all games won

Neymar in action for Paris Saint-Germain
Neymar in action for Paris Saint-Germain

One of the best players in world football right now, Neymar is enjoying perhaps his finest season with Paris Saint-Germain.

The Ligue 1 giants decided to splurge €222 million to bring the Brazilian superstar to Paris from Barcelona, making him the most expensive transfer of all-time. After an injury-riddled couple of seasons, Neymar is now looking like a world-beater for the Parisiens.

The 28-year old attacker has dovetailed well with fellow superstar Kylian Mbappe, and the two look determined to bring the Champions League trophy to Paris. Neymar has made 83 appearances in all competitions since joining the club in 2017, scoring 70 goals and providing 40 assists.


Also Read: 10 players Barcelona need to sell immediately

#3 GABRIEL JESUS | 78.1% of all games won

Gabriel Jesus celebrates a goal for Manchester City
Gabriel Jesus celebrates a goal for Manchester City

While Gabriel Jesus has not been a starter for Manchester City since he joined the club, he has had some fine moments under manager Pep Guardiola.

Jesus joined Manchester City from Palmeiras in 2017 for €33 million. The striker was bought to provide competition to veteran Sergio Aguero, which he has done so far. While Aguero continues to be preferred by Guardiola, the 23-year old Jesus has had a good goalscoring record for the club.

It has been rumoured that the Brazil international is unhappy with his game-time at the club, with Juventus and Inter Milan both linked with the player. Jesus has made 152 appearances in all competitions for Manchester City, scoring 68 goals.


#2 JOSHUA KIMMICH | 78.2% of all games won

Joshua Kimmich has been everpresent for Bayern Munich
Joshua Kimmich has been everpresent for Bayern Munich

The last Bayern Munich player on this list is their utility man Joshua Kimmich.

The Germany international has been an incredibly consistent player for the Bavarians since joining them. Kimmich joined Bayern Munich from RB Leipzig in 2015 for €7 million, and in hindsight the move was certainly a bargain. A midfielder during his Leipzig spell, Kimmich started playing as a right-back for Bayern Munich, where he has flourished.

The 25-year old is now regarded as one of the best at the right-back position, while manager Hansi Flick has also utilised him in midfield. Kimmich has made 220 appearances in all competitions for Bayern Munich, and looks set to enjoy a bright future with them.


#1 PRESNEL KIMPEMBE | 78.9% of all games won

Presnel Kimpembe in action for Paris Saint-Germain
Presnel Kimpembe in action for Paris Saint-Germain

Paris Saint-Germain defender Presnel Kimpembe is the player with the best winning ratio in the 21st century.

A Paris Saint-Germain youth product, Kimpembe made his debut for the club in 2014. The centre-back has had two of the best cetre-backs in France to learn from; Thiago Silva and Marquinhos. Kimpembe is now a regular starter for PSG, alternating with the two Brazilians.

The 25-year old is also a World Cup winner, having lifted the trophy while representing France in 2018. Kimpembe has made 138 appearances in all competitions for the club since 2014.

Note: Cristiano Ronaldo is in the 34th postion (68.8% of all games won), while Lionel Messi is in the 23rd position (70.2% of all games won)


Also Read: 5 defenders who have scored the most goals this season

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Edited by Ashwin
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