Welcome to OneFootball’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 men’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 with…
12th: Karim Benzema (337 points)
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Nationality: French (97 caps, 37 goals)
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Main clubs: Lyon, Real Madrid
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Major titles won: LaLiga (x4), Ligue 1 (x4), Champions League (x5), UEFA Super Cup (x4), Nations League (x1)
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Major individual awards: Ballon d’Or (x1), Champions League Top Scorer (x1), LaLiga Player of the Year (x2), LaLiga Top Scorer (x1), Ligue 1 Player of the Year (x1)
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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 – 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 d’Or success.
Fun fact
📸 Florencia Tan Jun – 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 – the fastest goal in Clásico history.
Watch him in action
How we voted
Thirty-eight members of OneFootball’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.
📸 Florencia Tan Jun – 2023 Getty Images