🏆 The 25 greatest players of the last 25 years: A saint in 23rd place 😇 | OneFootball

Welcome to OneFootball's definitive ranking of the 25 greatest players of the last 25 years.

Over the course of 25 days, we will be counting down our top 25 men's footballers of the 21st century so far, before revealing the winner on 1st January 2025.

Check out the list so far here

Today, our countdown continues with...

23rd: Iker Casillas (163 points)

Spain's greatest ever goalkeeper, Iker Casillas became an icon between the sticks and one of the most beloved players to those in the stands. He shot to stardom, quickly rising from playing in the lower categories at Real Madrid to being a focal point for the Galácticos in just a few months.

After his debut at San Mamés in 1999, Casillas became a regular starter for Real Madrid until his departure from the club in 2015.

His reflexes, agility and talent made him one of the all-time greats. These qualities he also developed with the Spanish national team, whom he led from the back to the best period in its history and became affectionately known among fans as San Iker, or Saint Iker.

Fun fact

The reason Casillas wanted to become a football player was due to a different kind of Real legend. Real Sociedad to be exact. He has often confessed that their goalkeeper Luis Miguel Arconada was his hero growing up and inspiration to pick up the gloves himself.

Watch him in action

How we voted

Thirty-eight members of OneFootball's global editorial team ranked their top 25 players of the 21st century so far. Players ranked at #1 earned 25 points, second place earned 24 points, and so on. In the event of a tie, the player with the highest individual ranking was placed higher on the list.

📸 LLUIS GENE - 2010 AFP