The 2025/26 season is now well underway, and while team success always takes precedence, there is endless major discussion around who the best player in the world is, with eyes towards the Ballon d'Or 2026.
In a new Flashscore feature that will be updated once a month, we rank the top 10 players in the world, looking at their performances for club and country, and purely based on events in the ongoing season.
The stats quoted below are accurate up to, and including, Sunday, September 28th.
Want to follow the best players in the world more closely? Now you can in the Flashscore app!
10. Christian Pulisic - AC Milan (New entry)
There has always been little doubt about the talent of Christian Pulisic. However, injuries and general inconsistencies have seen him fail to fulfil his potential. But this season, the American has started like a house on fire, guiding AC Milan to the top of the table.
The 27-year-old is the leading goalscorer in Serie A with four goals, and also has two assists to his name. His display on the weekend to help Milan beat champions Napoli was magnificent, getting on the scoresheet as well as producing a wonderful assist.
With no European football this year, can Milan be title challengers? They will need Pulisic to continue playing at this level if they want to get their hands on the Serie A crown.
9. Ryan Gravenberch - Liverpool (New entry)
Liverpool sit atop the Premier League despite not always looking convincing, yet one player who has been consistently brilliant is Ryan Gravenberch. The Dutchman has made the number six role his own in the last 12 months, becoming one of the most dominant midfielders in the country.
While being a physical powerhouse, the 23-year-old is also technically flawless. His job has often been made harder this season due to Liverpool's defensive troubles, but he still manages to impact both ends of the pitch to an extremely high level.
Gravenberch has two goals already this season, including a stunning strike against Everton in the Merseyside derby. Last campaign, he didn't score once in the Premier League.
8. Lamine Yamal - Barcelona (New entry)
There is no doubt at all that Lamine Yamal would be significantly higher on this list had he not suffered an injury which kept him out for four games. The 18-year-old wonderkid - who recently finished second on the Ballon d'Or podium - was irresistible to start the season, dominating for club and country.
In his first five games, Lamine Yamal had two goals and five assists before getting injured on international duty. He returned on the weekend against Real Sociedad, supplying a brilliant assist off the bench for Robert Lewandowski's winner.
Lamine Yamal is an utter joy to watch, and everyone can acknowledge that we are all witnessing an all-time great in the making. Don't be surprised to see him towards the top of these power rankings very soon.
7. Luiz Diaz - Bayern Munich (New entry)
Luis Diaz has been flying since his big-money move from Liverpool to Bayern Munich, solving their left-wing issues, which had been lingering for a few seasons. A real livewire for the Bavarians, he has completed 12 dribbles at the time of writing - the third most in the Bundesliga.
The Colombian has become a key part of a fine front three alongside two other players on this list, causing all sorts of problems for Bundesliga defenders. He has three goals and three assists for Bayern in the league to date, and also shone in his country's World Cup qualifying wins over Bolivia and Venezuela.
6 . Jeremy Doku - Manchester City (New entry)
Someone you certainly wouldn't expect to have seen on this list before the start of the season, Jeremy Doku, has been almost unplayable for Manchester City. There has never been any doubt about the Belgian's unmatched pace, skill and dribbling ability, but he looks to finally be adding consistency and end product to his game.
Doku has completed the second most dribbles in the Premier League this season (18) behind Mohammed Kudus (24). However, he has played 157 minutes less than Kudus, illustrating just how electric he has been.
Only Jack Grealish (4) has more Premier League assists than Doku (3), while the 23-year-old netted a stunning solo goal for City against Napoli in the Champions League. On international duty, he also scored a brace against Kazakhstan in World Cup qualifying.
5. Michael Olise - Bayern Munich (New entry)
Michel Olise had a great debut season with Bayern Munich, but he already looks like he is going up another level after taking on the mantle of chief creator in the absence of the injured Jamal Musiala.
The 23-year-old has four goals and four assists for Bayern in all competitions already this season, and also scored for France in their World Cup qualifier against Ukraine.
No player has made more successful final third passes than Olise in the Bundesliga (114), 18 ahead of the person in second.
4. Pedri - Barcelona (New entry)
Is Pedri the best midfielder in the world? It is hard to argue against it. The Spanish wizard has started this season in typically wonderous touch, running the show in the middle of the park for the LaLiga champions.
Often spoken about for his ability on the ball, Pedri is really an all-action midfielder and has put in consistently exceptional performances as Barcelona sit at the summit of LaLiga. He was also supreme in his side's Champions League victory at Newcastle, and scored twice in Spain's excellent thumping win over Turkey in their World Cup qualifier.
No player has completed more passes than Pedri in LaLiga (647), and he also has the most successful passes into the final third (111). What's more, he has created the joint most chances from open play (18), alongside Kylian Mbappe.
3. Erling Haaland - Manchester City (New entry)
By his astronomically high standards, Erling Haaland had an 'off' season in 2024/25, scoring 'just' the 34 goals in all competitions. However, he is up and running in incredible style this campaign.
The Norwegian already has eight goals in six Premier League starts for Manchester City, and 15 in nine for club and country, including five goals in a single game against Moldova.
He is the most frightening force of nature in football, and a goalscorer of the likes we have arguably never seen. What seems to be helping him is that City look to be playing in transition more often, feeding into his strengths: his relentless pace and power. It is scary to think of how many goals he could end the season with.
2. Kylian Mbappe - Real Madrid (New entry)
While Kylian Mbappe scored 44 goals in his debut season for Real Madrid, it did feel a little underwhelming on the whole, purely due to the club's lack of success. The Spanish giants finished second in LaLiga and fell in the Champions League quarter-finals. Several heavy defeats at the hands of rivals Barcelona also made matters worse.
But the Frenchman looks to have kicked on even further this season, with eight goals in seven league games already, 12 in 10 in all competitions. A pair of penalties against Marseille in the Champions League helped Los Blancos get off the mark there, too.
A humbling 5-2 loss at the home of local rivals Atletico Madrid on the weekend did see Real drop into second place in the table, though, behind Barcelona. However, that doesn't take away from the irresistible form Mbappe has started in.
1. Harry Kane - Bayern Munich (New entry)
After winning his maiden trophy last season as Bayern Munich regained their Bundesliga crown, Harry Kane is clearly determined to drive the Bavarians to yet another title. The England captain has made an astonishing start to the season, making him the outstanding player in Europe over the opening weeks.
Bayern have won all eight of their games this campaign, and Kane's form has been a major contributing factor. In just five league matches, the 32-year-old already has 10 goals, while scoring 16 in 10 in all competitions for club and country. Kane also bagged a brace against Chelsea in Bayern's opening Champions League match.
While being a modern great centre forward who continues to score at a relentless pace, he is also a complete footballer, illustrated by the fact that he has three assists and has created five big chances in the Bundesliga - the second most out of anyone.