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Germany have always been one of the main powerhouses in world football. They're the second most successful team in the history of the FIFA World Cup as well. They have also been one of the most dominant football teams in the international realm since the turn of the millennium.
There has been a slight dip in their standards in recent times. Germany were unceremoniously knocked out in the group stages of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. At the recently concluded Euro 2020, Die Mannschaft were eliminated in the Round of 16 by England. It certainly looks like they need to up their game a bit ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
But Germany continues to be home to some of the best footballers in the world. Without further ado, let's take a look at the five best German players in the world right now.
#5 Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich)
Manuel Neuer is one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time and currently captains both Bayern Munich and the German national side. His heroics were crucial to Germany winning the World Cup in 2014. He won the Golden Glove for the best goalkeeper at the tournament as well.
Neuer is widely renowned for being the best 'sweeper keeper' in the business. His excellent anticipation and reading of the game enables him to rush off his line to thwart opposition attacks by clearing through balls and quelling the danger.
He is a complete goalkeeper whose shot-stopping, reflexes, composure and decision-making are all exemplary. Neuer used to be an outfield player in his younger days and that reflects in his control over the ball when his side are building from the back.
In September 2021, Neuer surpassed Oliver Kahn as the Bundesliga goalkeeper with the most number of clean sheets. To date, the 35-year-old has kept 206 cleansheets in the German top-flight.
#4 Antonio Rudiger (Chelsea)
Thomas Tuchel took over at Chelsea in January 2021. He immediately transformed them into one of the most formidable defensive units in the world. Critical to that process was Antonio Rudiger, who had become a peripheral figure at the club under Frank Lampard.
Rudiger's aggression, tough-tackling nature, blistering pace and decision making have made him one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League. His distribution and ability to contribute on the other side of the pitch from set-pieces also make him a very valuable asset for Chelsea.
Chelsea are looking to extend Rudiger's contract as his current deal expires next summer.
#3 Toni Kroos (Real Madrid)
Toni Kroos is one of the greatest midfielders of the 21st century. The Real Madrid man has been part of the most dominant midfield trio in the Champions League in recent times. Kroos was one of Real Madrid's chief weapons as they won the continental competition three consecutive times in the last decade.
One of the finest passers to have ever graced the game, Toni Kroos possesses incredible technical proficiency and immense tactical intelligence. He absolutely bosses games from a deep-lying position in midfield and watching him and Modric run things from the centre of the park is nothing short of a joy to watch.
Kroos' creativity, crossing, set-piece ability, passing and shooting range make him one of the most complete midfielders of his generation. What he lacks in pace, he makes up for with his positioning and spatial awareness.
Kroos has also won almost everything there is to be won. He has one World Cup, four Champions League titles, three Bundesliga titles, two La Liga titles and one Club World Cup among many others.
#2 Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich)
Although Thomas Muller is not a footballer who is very easy on the eye, he has been one of Germany's best players over the past decade. A self-proclaimed 'Raumdeuter' or space interpreter, Muller is one of the most intelligent footballers in the world.
He excels as a second striker, with his positioning and movement causing plenty of trouble to the opposition's backline. Muller is also renowned for his link-up play in the final third. He has a great understanding of the goings-on in the final third and that's one of the reasons why he racks up an incredible number of assists every season.
In the 2020-21 campaign, Muller scored 15 goals and provided 24 assists in 46 matches across all competitions for Bayern Munich. Muller scored five goals and was the recipient of the Silver Ball for the second best player of the tournament as Germany lifted the World Cup in 2014.
#1 Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
Joshua Kimmich is one of the most versatile players in the world. He can play at right-back and anywhere across midfield. Over the past few years, Kimmich has established himself as one of the finest holding midfielders in the world.
The 26-year-old can play in attacking or a defensive role and be equally effective at both. He is renowned for his work-rate and aggressiveness which makes him a difficult player to go up against. Kimmich is also excellent at orchestrating play from deep and his vision and tactical intelligence make him an elite playmaker.
The German international is the footballing equivalent of a 'swiss army knife' in that he can do a variety of things and excel at each one of them. He has started the 2021-22 season well, scoring three goals and providing four assists in seven Bundesliga matches so far.
In the 2020-21 season, Kimmich scored six goals and provided a whopping 14 assists from central midfield in 39 appearances across all competitions for the Bavarians.
