🏆 The 25 greatest players of the last 25 years: A conductor in 20th 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...

20th: Sergio Busquets (203 points)

Throughout his career, Sergio Busquets was overshadowed by teammates such as Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andrés Iniesta. But without the number six, the incredible successes of Barcelona and the Spanish national team would not have been possible.

Busquets organised his teams' play from deep inside, always acting reliably and calmly.

"When things get tough, he'll always be there," Messi once said aptly.

Fun fact

He isn't only reliable on the field for his teammates but off it too. When new Barcelona signing André Gomes turned up at training without his boots, Busquets kindly lent him his own pair.

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.

📸 Jasper Juinen - 2012 Getty Images