15 Best South American Footballers Right Now (Ranked)

South American football players often dominate the respective leagues they represent with their flair, passion and physicality. Countless players from the continent have become football icons, such as Pele, Diego Maradona, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Kaka to name just a few.

The sport is more than just that within the continent. As many people will tell you, it is a religion. That is part of what helps make South American players some of the most enjoyable and entertaining players as they seek to express themselves via their art form. This list celebrates the current crop of these artists, with the likes of Lionel Messi, Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr and Barcelona’s Raphinha all included in the best 15 South American footballers in 2025.

Ranking factors

• Key statistics (goals, assists, clean sheets)
• Impact for club and country
• Difficulty of the league
• Longevity

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15

Matheus Cunha

Wolves & Brazil

It has not been a pretty 2024/25 campaign for Wolves, with the Black Country outfit only outside the relegation zone and with no real hope of breaking into mid-table by the end of the season. However, if one player can keep their head held high, it is frontman Matheus Cunha. The former Atletico Madrid man has been a rich source of goals at Molineux despite their poor form.

The Brazilian seems destined for bigger and better things in the near future, especially if Wolves do end up getting relegated. Links to the likes of Manchester United persist, but he can go into the summer of 2025 knowing that he is at least among his continent’s most elite, regardless of what his future holds.

14

Ederson

Manchester City & Brazil

Already established as one of the best Brazilians to have ever played in the Premier League, Ederson would likely rank higher on this list if Manchester City weren’t struggling so much at the time of writing. The sweeper-keeper has revolutionised what it takes to make it between the sticks at the highest level, but ever since interest from Saudi Arabia came along, his focus appears to have wavered.

As a result, the number 31 has at times been replaced by American Stefan Ortega in big Premier League and European contests. However, he is still capable of the extraordinary, which is why he still manages to slot in just outside the top 10.

13

Luis Diaz

Liverpool & Colombia

Another case of a winger being transformed under a new manager. Luis Diaz has always been capable of the spectacular at Liverpool, but consistency was the one thing the former Porto wizard lacked ever since arriving at Anfield. However, that has all seemed to change under Arne Slot.

Not only has the 27-year-old’s form seen his value shoot up to become one of the most valuable players on the entire continent, and he is now filling the void of Sadio Mane that he was brought in to do almost three years ago. Should Liverpool seal a Premier League title that looks to be in their hands, Diaz will have played a massive part in guiding them there.

12

Rodrygo

Real Madrid & Brazil

Another Real Madrid player who really impressed during the 2023/24 campaign. Rodrygo notched 26 goal contributions in 53 appearances for the club, including 18 goals.

The forward scored in every competition the club was involved in, including five goals and two assists in the 2023/24 Champions League en route to winning. Sadly, he has found himself somewhat of a scapegoat as Carlo Ancelotti tries to make room for the newest Galactico, Kylian Mbappe. As a result, the winger’s importance has lessened slightly, but he is keen to stay at the Bernabeu and when he does get an opportunity, it is rare that he fails to impress.

11

Emiliano Martinez

Aston Villa & Argentina

Just as we say that Alisson is the best goalkeeper in the Premier League, we go ahead and select another of the division’s finest just above him. However, that is why it is important to caveat that this ranking is based on their most recent form. Given that the Liverpool man has been out of action for so long, it has allowed Emiliano Martinez to leapfrog him here.

To the Argentine’s credit, his form since the turn of the decade has been inspirational. On more than one occasion, he has saved his country en route to international success, and he has also been pivotal to Aston Villa’s recent resurgence. The two-time Kopa Trophy winner is in the form of his life and is quite simply undeniable at this very moment.

10

Bruno Guimaraes

Newcastle United & Brazil

Many were surprised when, at the time, relegation-threatened Newcastle United managed to fight off Arsenal for Bruno Guimaraes’ signature. The Magpies are thankful the Brazilian decided to make the move to Tyneside, given his importance to the team. The midfielder was vital in Newcastle’s Champions League push during the 2022/23 season, and Newcastle’s form backed up his importance to the side without him. During that campaign, Newcastle won just once without Bruno in the side and did not lose a game in the Premier League when the Brazilian started.

Guimaraes has continued to impress for club and country and is one name touted to replace the injured Rodri at Manchester City, but his influence and passion in celebrating the Magpies’ tremendous Carabao Cup triumph shows that his heart is still very much on Tyneside.

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9

Alexis Mac Allister

Liverpool & Argentina

After a period of adaptation at Anfield under Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool are now seeing the best of Alexis Mac Allister, with Arne Slot at the helm. The Argentine had previously starred for both Brighton and his national team en route to World Cup glory but was forced to play a more conservative role in his first year on Merseyside.

In his new boss’s system, the 26-year-old has been given more freedom to show off his attacking flair and creativity, with the likes of Ryan Gravenberch anchoring the midfield. This has led to more impressive performances from the midfielder, as he acts as the middleman between defence and the ever-lethal Liverpool attack, and his box-to-box nature has seen him net vital goals, including in the Merseyside derby in the final ever game against Everton at Goodison Park.

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8

Alisson Becker

Liverpool & Brazil

When fully fit, Alisson is the best goalkeeper in English football. While Ederson may be better with the ball at his feet and the likes of David Raya may be more adept at claiming crosses, nobody encapsulates all the key ingredients to build the ideal model for a goalkeeper quite like the Liverpool number one does.

The former Roma man has been imperious ever since he moved to Anfield, and the only thing that lets him down, both in his career and in this list, is his injury record. He has already missed a substantial part of the 2024/25 campaign, although this is perhaps not a surprise given the sheer amount of strain he is putting his body through due to the number of games he is playing.

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7

Julian Alvarez

Atletico Madrid & Argentina

Julian Alvarez was in incredible form for Manchester City during the 2023/24 season, with 32 goal contributions in 60 appearances in all competitions for the club. The Argentina international surpassed the 2022/23 season’s total of 22 goal contributions and ended the campaign with some impressive numbers.

The former River Plate star is now arguably enjoying his best campaign of his career thus far, becoming the focal point of Diego Simeone’s attack with his relentless pressing and eye for goal. Already as of April 2025, he has bagged 26 goals in 48 games across all competitions, including netting in seven in Atletico’s Champions League run that eventually saw them fall to local rivals Real Madrid.

6

Gabriel Magalhaes

Arsenal & Brazil

Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes has struck up a formidable partnership with William Saliba at the heart of their defence. The pair have been key to the club’s title challenge in recent years. That thought is backed up by the fact that Saliba has helped keep a number of clean sheets alongside the towering Brazilian.

Gabriel has also been an important player at the other end of the pitch, playing a pivotal role in the club’s recent set-piece success. When he’s not available, the Gunners look far less of a threat aerially. But when he is in and around the penalty area, very few have been able to stop him from slamming the ball home amid the chaos.

5

Federico Valverde

Real Madrid & Uruguay

Federico Valverde has become a vital cog in Real Madrid’s well-oiled machine. An impressive pass success rate of 91% keeps Carlo Ancelotti’s side in possession of the ball, while also contributing with key passes in terms of assists. Valverde had seven assists to his name during the 2023/24 season. His importance to Real Madrid was confirmed further by the club announcing the midfielder had extended his stay at the club until 2029.

With the ability to score the most ridiculous of goals and also dictate the tempo, Valverde has shown incredible versatility and is easily one of the best in his position. With Toni Kroos retiring and Luka Modric not far off, Los Blancos’ reliance on the Uruguayan will only grow over the next couple of years.

4

Lionel Messi

Inter Miami & Barcelona

It’s hard to have ever imagined writing a list based on the quality of players, with Lionel Messi in it but not topping the charts. As they say, father time catches up with everyone, and it is just about doing so with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. Messi has achieved almost everything there is to — with the exception of the MLS, which still eludes him.

However, he has conquered Europe, conquered international football, and is continuing to leave his mark and weave his magic stateside. The 37-year-old won’t be gracing our pitches and television screens for much longer, so now is the time to enjoy his magnificence while we still can.

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3

Vinicius Junior

Real Madrid & Brazil

Vinicius Junior proved once again why he is an elite performer in the 2023/2024 season, hitting the back of the net 25 times and recording 12 assists as he helped Real Madrid claim La Liga and Champions League titles.

He was left frustrated by the fact he agonisingly missed out on the 2024 Ballon d’Or, but he vowed to come back stronger and he is continuing to put up incredible numbers in his quest for the famous trophy. While Madrid have stuttered since adjusting to life with Mbappe, their Brazilian talisman is continuing to be the reliable figurehead up top.

2

Lautaro Martinez

Inter Milan & Argentina

Lautaro Martinez comes in second on the list after leading Inter Milan back to the top of Italian football. The Argentina international finished the 2022/23 season with 39 goal contributions in 57 appearances for the Serie A side and continued his fine form with 28 goal contributions for Inter during the 2023/24 campaign. In just the league alone, he bagged 23 goals, leaving him as the top scorer by a distance ahead of the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Victor Osimhen.

He celebrated this by signing a new contract extension that will see him stay at the San Siro until at least 2029. His form this term has seen him fire his beloved Inter to the Champions League semi-finals, having struck vital goals in the quarter-final stage against Bayern Munich.

1

Raphinha

Barcelona & Brazil

Not many Barcelona fans would have backed this call at the start of 2024, but by the end of it, Raphinha has most certainly earned his spot as one of the leading contenders of the Ballon d’Or. In the 2024/25 campaign, the winger has come to life and become one of Los Cules’ most productive players as part of a formidable front three with Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal.

If there is one thing that Hansi Flick has definitely done right at Camp Nou since his arrival, it is whatever he has instilled in the former Leeds United man, as Raphinha now finds himself delivering week-in and week-out. His performances in the Champions League in particular have been something to behold, nearing the top of the charts for both goals and assists in the competition this season.

All stats sourced from Transfermarkt (Correct as of 18/04/2025)