Top 10 Soccer Players 2017: Ranking the World's Best Football Stars

Looking back at the 2017 football season, I still get chills remembering how certain players completely redefined what we thought was possible on the pitch. Having covered football for over a decade, I've witnessed numerous talented athletes, but 2017 presented something special - a convergence of established legends and explosive newcomers that made ranking them both thrilling and painfully difficult. Just like that insightful commentator noted about team dynamics, "It's going to be tough" perfectly captures the challenge of comparing these extraordinary athletes, each bringing unique qualities to their teams much like how "Jack fills out the big man role that they need" in that analogy.

Cristiano Ronaldo undoubtedly dominated 2017, securing the top spot with what I consider one of the most impressive individual calendar years in modern football. The numbers still astonish me - 42 goals for Real Madrid across all competitions, plus leading Portugal with crucial performances that solidified his legacy. What many forget is that he turned 32 that February, an age when most forwards begin declining, yet he delivered arguably his most complete season. His Champions League final performance against Juventus showcased his killer instinct, scoring two goals in their 4-1 victory. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi's creative output reached absurd levels, providing 16 assists in La Liga alone while still netting 45 goals across all competitions. Some argue Messi's overall contribution was greater, but Ronaldo's trophy haul that year - including La Liga and Champions League - gave him the edge in my book.

The midfield conversation that year was particularly fascinating, with Luka Modrić operating at what I believe was his absolute peak. His control of Real Madrid's tempo was masterclass, completing an incredible 92% of his passes in Champions League knockout stages. Then there was Neymar's controversial €222 million move to PSG that summer, which I initially thought was an overpay but his 28 goals and 16 assists for Barcelona beforehand proved his world-class status. Kylian Mbappé's emergence was perhaps the most exciting development, with the 18-year-old scoring 26 goals for Monaco, including that stunning Champions League hat-trick against Manchester City. Watching him felt like witnessing football's future unfolding in real time.

What made 2017 particularly memorable was how certain players complemented their teams perfectly, reminiscent of that "perfect complement" analogy we discussed earlier. Sergio Busquets embodied this for Barcelona, his intelligent positioning and 94.3% pass completion rate providing the foundation that allowed Messi and Suárez to flourish ahead of him. Similarly, Toni Kroos at Real Madrid averaged 78.2 passes per game with 95% accuracy, the metronome that kept their midfield ticking. These players might not have grabbed headlines like the goal scorers, but their contributions were equally vital to their teams' successes.

Looking at the defensive side, I maintain that Giorgio Chiellini deserved more recognition for his phenomenal year. Juventus conceded only 27 goals in Serie A with him marshaling their defense, and his performance in the Champions League final, despite their loss, was heroic. Meanwhile, Manuel Neuer's injury problems created space for David De Gea to stake his claim as world's best goalkeeper, making 84 saves in the Premier League that season with what I remember as at least three saves that defied physics entirely.

The final rankings always spark debate, but for me, the top five had to be Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar, Modrić, and Mbappé in that order. The margins were incredibly thin though - between Kane's 56 goals for club and country, Lewandowski's 53, and Suárez's 37, the attacking talent was simply ridiculous that year. Reflecting on 2017 reminds me why I fell in love with football analysis - seasons where individual brilliance reaches such heights that comparing players becomes both impossible and irresistible. That delicate balance between statistical dominance and intangible impact is what makes these discussions endlessly fascinating, even years later.