The renowned ex-Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has listed his top five favorite players currently active in global soccer for the year 2025—highlighting remarkable talents from clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool.
Speaking in a TikTok video with @goalglobal , FIFA’s Head of Worldwide Football Development was requested to rank the five players whose games he most admires at present.
Wenger aimed for impartiality when he said he wouldn't single out any Arsenal players, but we're confident Bukayo Saka would have been included had he done so.
These are the five players selected by Wenger.
5. Lamine Yamal
Recall the 2006 UEFA Champions League final when Barcelona defeated Arsenal under Arsène Wenger. Yamal would not come into this world for another year.
Actually, the prodigy from La Masia was just 10 years old when Wenger left Arsenal in 2018.
He’s already among the top attackers globally, performing exceptionally well during the knockout stage of the Champions League. The remarkable goal and assist Yamal delivered against Benfica showcase his extraordinary abilities.
4. Cole Palmer
Chelsea’s talisman might be enduring a bit of a dry spell when it comes to goals and assists right now, but there can be no questioning his quality after 18 exceptional months at Stamford Bridge.
Since leaving his childhood club Manchester City in pursuit of more frequent game time, this 22-year-old player has established himself as one of the most gifted athletes of his era.
Palmer has achieved an impressive record of 39 goals and 21 assists in only 78 matches for the Blues. Given such productivity, it’s easy to understand why he makes Wenger rise from his chair.
3. Vinicius Junior
Wenger mentioned the Brazilian player as one of those expected to vie for this year’s Ballon d'Or.
Since failing to win football's top individual honor in October, Vinicius hasn't been at his peak performance. However, don't count him out when it comes to shining in the later rounds of the Champions League.
In recent times, he has shown an ability to deliver outstanding performances when the stakes are highest in club soccer, as evidenced by his crucial goals in two separate UEFA Champions League finals.
2. Kylian Mbappe
The sole representative from France among Wenger’s peers in this lineup is both sturdy and an evident choice.
You likely won't be surprised to learn that Wenger attempted (but ultimately unsuccessful) to bring Mbappe onboard when he was still a young player.
"We can discuss Mbappe; I visited his house when he was unsure about renewing his contract with Monaco," Wenger said to beIN Sports.
He had the opportunity to join Arsenal at no cost. I believe almost every club has numerous stories similar to this one.
If only…
READ: An outstanding list of players that Arsene Wenger almost brought to Arsenal.
1. Mohamed Salah
Salah's tenure at Liverpool coincided with Wenger's lengthy period as Arsenal's manager for just one season. However, he holds significant admiration for the ex-Arsenal boss and once benefited from valuable counsel provided by him.
“I agree with that,” Salah said, nodding to Steve McManaman’s point about what sets good players apart from great ones: the capacity to net decisive goals during their interviews. TNT Sport .
I believe I received that guidance from Arsene Wenger before. I posed the same query to him, as he had exceptional players throughout his career.
He said to me, 'For top players, their performance during the match doesn’t matter as much. They remain focused and wait for the right opportunity. They’re constantly engaged.' I took this advice to heart several years back.
The respect works both ways. Salah was Arsenal Wenger’s top choice, and he has consistently praised Salah's play this season.
"What I admire the most about his career is how he continually improved each year, becoming increasingly efficient," Wenger stated. BeIN Sports .
He produces smaller quantities these days, yet maintains high standards, which demonstrates that he is both an exceptional talent and highly intelligent.
He has achieved a healthy equilibrium between his desire to score goals and distributing the ball effectively. There was a phase when he and [Sadio] Mane experienced some tension, as both players tended to focus on scoring rather than passing.
He realizes that to achieve true greatness, he must make significant contributions, and he has excelled at doing so.
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TRY A QUIZ: Could you list all the players that Arsene Wenger brought to Arsenal during his tenure?
