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#6 Toni Kroos
The inclusion of the German midfielder in this elite list may come as a shock to many, but his impact on the Real Madrid team and the German national team warrants a place for him.
At Real Madrid, Toni Kroos became a vital part of the team under head coaches Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane, as he helped Real win three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles from 2015 to 2016 to 2017–18.
Kroos played a starring role for Real Madrid, as the club captured a La Liga title in 2017 when he was also chosen for the team of the season. He also won another league title with Los Blancos in 2020. In 2014, Kroos led his country to victory in that year's World Cup, where he was the top assist provider and was named in the All-Star team and Dream Team.
In a game that has been dominated by forwards over the last decade, Kroos has orchestrated games from midfielder for club and country, making him one of the best midfielders in the world.
#5 Manuel Neuer
Many wondered if the German goalkeeper was finished due to the amount of time he spent on the sidelines, thanks to recurring injuries. Manuel Neuer has always been regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world and of all time, but his form and fitness over the last few seasons has made people question his future and relevance to Bayern Munich and the German national team.
Neuer, however, proved his doubters wrong last season, as he rolled back the years and put in a string of brilliant displays in Bayern Munich road to the treble. Neuer has rediscovered his magic and his fitness, which have helped him regain his status as one of the best shot-stoppers in the game of football.
The 34-year-old is the captain of the German national side and Bayern Munich. He will look to provide his teams with much-needed experience and solidity, as they both prepare to go through a revolution of sorts.
#4 Sergio Ramos
Much like Giorgio Chiellini, Sergio Ramos is a fighter and a general for the teams he plays for. The Spaniard has been at Real Madrid for 15 years, making 459 La Liga appearances. He is the captain for both his club and national team and is Spain's most capped player with 175 appearances.
At Real Madrid, Ramos has won 22 major honors, including five La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League titles, becoming one of La Liga's top goalscorers from a defensive position. He played a starring role in Real Madrid's four UEFA Champions League wins and was named in the competition's Team of the Season each time.
He won the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship in 2008 and 2012 and was also named in the FIFA World Cup Dream Team in 2010 and the UEFA Euro Team of the Tournament in 2012.
Ramos' goal scoring record as a defender is simply astonishing. He scored ten goals for Real Madrid last season, as he led them to their first La Liga triumph in four seasons. At 34, Ramos does not seem to be slowing down and is still an integral part of both the Real Madrid and Spanish national team.
