Memorable players have played football in the modern era, and fans have been treated to a golden generation of attacking talent.
Therefore, the most likely method for determining the best attacking players of the 21st century can be assessed based on the number of goal involvements recorded at the highest level.
The pinnacle of the game for many comes in the form of internationals, with only the best attacking players in the sport able to guide their respective nations to World Cup, Copa America, or EURO success. So, which players rank among the top five stars in terms of goal involvements in the 21st century?
5. Luis Suarez
Goals: 69
Assists: 39
There are few more talented players in the 21st century than Luis Suarez. Despite having the ability to be controversial, the Uruguayan was as influential on the field; after all, most geniuses are flawed.
Suarez recorded 69 goals and 39 assists for Uruguay, before announcing his retirement from international duty in 2024. His controversial behaviour was evident from the outset, as he was sent off during his international debut against the USA in February 2007.
🚨 Amid the criticism directed at Luis Suárez following the Atlanta United loss, it’s worth remembering his impact this season: 24 goals and 11 assists. Sure, there were moments he couldn’t deliver, but he pushed through with a persistent knee issue during Messi’s absence. 🖤💗 pic.twitter.com/UnC0rCAURw
— FC Barcelona Fans Nation (@fcbfn_live) November 11, 2024
The 2010 World Cup would be his coming-of-age tournament, displaying his excellence after scoring three in six, while also making controversy after his deliberate hand ball eliminated Ghana in the quarterfinals.
His best scoring year for Uruguay came in 2011 after netting ten in 13 matches, in which the national side won the Copa America, with Suarez netting in the 3-0 win over Paraguay.
4. Robert Lewandowski
Goals: 83
Assists: 35
A somewhat shocking inclusion in terms of international goal involvements comes in the form of Poland striker, Robert Lewandowski. The forward is yet to have an impact on the international stage in terms of success, but he has constantly ranked among the top scorers in the World Cup and EURO qualification campaigns.
Lewandowski made his senior international debut three weeks after turning 20, netting in a 2-0 away win against San Marino. In the Polish national team’s history, only Włodzimierz Lubański had scored at a younger age.
𝐆𝐨𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲
Robert Lewandowski Design🎨 pic.twitter.com/hHtyeXeHyi— Roni (@RV_Gfx) November 10, 2024
The striker netted a first international hat-trick against Gibraltar in 2014 and was the top-scorer in the EURO 2008 qualifiers, scoring a staggering 13 goals. However, further frustration would follow on the international stage at both EURO 2008 and EURO 2016.
However, it hasn’t been his performances that have been to blame. Lewandowski became the national team’s all-time leading scorer after scoring a hat-trick in a 6-1 win over Armenia in October 2017.
3. Neymar
Goals: 79
Assists: 59
Neymar Jr is considered to be one of the most influential players of the 21st century and is regarded by many in South America as one of the best players to have come out of Brazil. After making his club debut for Santos in 2009, and made his national team debut at the young age of 18.
Neymar would break the long-standing scoring record for Brazil, scoring an impressive 79 goals in 128 internationals. He was a key player for the team in winning the 2013 Confederations Cup, with his performances seeing him pick up the Golden Ball.
Neymar 🥶 pic.twitter.com/uFxX5Cb8jn
— Brasil Football 🇧🇷 (@BrasilEdition) November 4, 2024
However, the biggest pressure would be on the star in the World Cups, beginning in Brazil’s home tournament in 2010. His best showing came in 2014, when he was named in the Dream Team.
International success would come in the form of an Olympic gold medal in 2016, just four years after winning the silver medal. Despite failing to win a World Cup, he joined names such as Ronaldo and Pele as the only Brazilian players to have scored in three successive editions of the competition.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo
Goals: 133
Assists: 36
Regarded by many as the greatest player of the 21st century, Cristiano Ronaldo remains a key figure in the Portuguese national team to this day. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner made his international debut at the age of 18 in 2003, and would go on to win over 200 caps, making him the most capped player in Portuguese history.
Ronaldo has played in eleven major tournaments during his career, scoring in all but one. His big breakthrough came in Portugal’s home edition of EURO 2004, but the hosts would ultimately fall short in the final against surprise package Greece.
The Greatest. 👑💛💙 pic.twitter.com/NeJ6orEIQ0
— Cristiano Ronaldo News (@CRonaldoNews) November 5, 2024
However, Ronaldo was named captain of the national team in 2008 and was able to break the Portuguese hoodoo when winning EURO 2016. His role in the success was pivotal, netting in the semi-final success against Wales before limping off in the final against France in Paris.
Further international success would follow in the inaugural edition of the UEFA Nations League, winning the Golden Boot in the process. Ronaldo has also broken the records for the most caps and most goals in men’s international football.
1. Lionel Messi
Goals: 112
Assists: 57
Tied at the top of goals involvements in international football is Lionel Messi. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is the most decorated player in the history of the sport, with two of his more poignant successes coming on the international stage with Argentina.
Messi is Argentina’s all-time leading scorer, and is the nation’s most-capped player. However, he has always needed to deal with constant comparisons to fellow left-footed Argentinean sensation Diego Maradona.
🇦🇷 Lionel Messi with Inter Miami:
👕 38 games
⚽️ 33 goals
🎯 18 assists
🏆 2 trophy
🏅 1 ballon d’orbut they said Messi flopped in the MLS 🤔😂 pic.twitter.com/ZqA97D9d2e
— LM🇦🇷⁸ (fan) (@Leo_messii_8) November 10, 2024
Messi’s first success came at youth level, winning the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship and the gold medal at the 2008 Olympics. The forward became the nation’s youngest scorer at a World Cup in 2006, and would later be named national team captain in 2011.
However, national success wasn’t easy to achieve, losing in three straight Copa America finals, before gaining victory at the 2021 edition of the South American tournament. But, his crowing moment would come in the 2022 World Cup, playing an important role in Argentina’s first success at the tournament in 36 years. A second straight Copa America success was achieved in 2024.
