In a Flashscore feature updated monthly, we rank the top 10 players in the world based on their performances for club and country across several competitions, using only events from the 2026/27 campaign. Team success and participation in the Champions League are also factored in.
The stats quoted below are accurate up to and including Wednesday, September 16th.
Want to follow the best players in the world more closely? Now you can in the Flashscore app!
10. Nico Paz - Como (NEW)
What Cesc Fabregas is doing at Como is truly spectacular, turning the club into an extremely competitive side at the summit of Serie A. At the heart of it all is 22-year-old Nico Paz.
There was a lot of speculation over the Argentine's future this summer, including whether he would stay at Real Madrid. However, he is back at Como, and the Italian side have made a near-perfect start to the campaign.
Paz has a goal and two assists as Como sit third in Serie A with three wins and a draw, while they also smashed Leipzig 4-1 on their Champions League debut.
The number 10 is a joy to watch, and looks to be developing well in a fantastic environment. With Lionel Messi retiring from international duty, could Paz be the man to take up his mantle?
9. Declan Rice - Arsenal (NEW)
After looking completely lifeless at the World Cup, many expected Declan Rice to get some time off after a marathon 2025/26 season. However, the Englishman returned to action straight away, with no sign of fatigue as he aims to take the Gunners to back-to-back Premier League titles for the first time ever.
Now playing in a deeper midfield role, everyone knows how good Rice is defensively due to his athleticism and freakish ability to win back possession. However, he is being tasked with getting on the ball and being more proactive for a side that have won every game so far this campaign - something many don't associate with him.
No midfielder or attacker has completed more forward passes than Rice in the Premier League (104), and on Matchday 1 of the Champions League, no single player completed more (46).
Arsenal have looked imperious this season, and are likely to be a major factor in all four competitions deep into the season. Rice's fitness and management will be huge if they want to achieve something special.
8. David Raya - Arsenal (NEW)
A goalkeeper on this list may come as a surprise, but it is simply impossible to ignore how good David Raya is and the impact he has on the Arsenal team.
Mikel Arteta's men have the best defence in Europe, conceding just one goal in five games in the Premier League and Champions League.
He produced a stunning stop from the penalty spot against Sunderland when the score was still 0-0, illustrating his importance. He has a joint-high league save percentage of 87.5%.
But while he is an exceptional shot-stopper, his all-round attributes are what make him unique. He is the best cross-claimer in the league, astounding with his feet, and often starts all of Arsenal's attacks with his exceptional distribution.
7. Jude Bellingham - Real Madrid (NEW)
Jude Bellingham had a quieter 2025/26 after a memorable debut season, but the Englishman seems to be thriving under Jose Mourinho.
Playing back in the 10 role, Bellingham has three goals and two assists in LaLiga, but his all-action displays in midfield make him stand out.
Only Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe have completed more dribbles than Bellingham (16), which is impressive because they receive the ball in more open areas.
Off the ball, he has won the second-most duels in LaLiga (41), proving his worth in more ways than one.
6. Michael Olise - Bayern Munich (NEW)
While Harry Kane and Luis Diaz aren't yet fully firing, Michael Olise has started the season as Bayern Munich's main man.
The Frenchman registered a goal and an assist in their German Supercup victory over Borussia Dortmund to kickstart the campaign, and has scored four goals and provided an assist since then.
He bagged a brace in the 5-0 win over Bodo/Glimt in Europe, and created seven chances - more than anyone else in the competition during that Matchday.
Bayern's main goal this season is to win the Champions League. If Olise can keep going from strength to strength, then they have a real chance.
5. Erling Haaland - Manchester City (NEW)
What else can we say about Erling Haaland that we don't already know? This guy scores goals.
Following a quiet performance in the Community Shield and failing to score in their opening Premier League game, Haaland is now up and running in some style.
The Norwegian centre forward has seven goals in his last four games, including the controversial winner in the Manchester derby, and a brace in the Champions League against Porto. Incredibly, he has 59 goals in 59 appearances in Europe's premier competition, and he tops this season's Premier League goalscoring charts (4).
It will be a difficult job for City to stop Arsenal this season, but with this machine up front, they always have a chance.
4. Kylian Mbappe - Real Madrid (NEW)
One of the players looking to win next month's Ballon d'Or, Kylian Mbappe's quality is unquestionable, and he has started the season in electric fashion after becoming the all-time top scorer at the World Cup.
Real Madrid haven't looked totally convincing under Mourinho so far, but they will do all they can to end a two-year trophy drought, and they know Mbappe has to be the man to lead them to glory.
Mbappe has already scored eight goals, including a strike against Inter Milan in the Champions League and a hat-trick against Real Sociedad. He has also had a league-high 40 shots, to no one's surprise. He often gets into lots of goalscoring positions because of his pace and explosiveness.
However, it'll ultimately come down to whether he can win LaLiga or the Champions League; otherwise, the noise will continue about his fit alongside Vinicius Junior.
3. Martin Odegaard - Arsenal (NEW)
After two years of injury problems and a lack of inspiration, Martin Odegaard is back to his very best - and possibly playing the best football of his career for the Premier League champions.
The Arsenal captain has been sensational as his side's creative hub, running the show in the heart of midfield with effortless ease. No player has created more chances from open play in the Premier League than Odegaard (11).
The Norwegian has four goals this season - already more than he did in the entirety of 2025/26! But in truth, his goals are secondary. His ability to make Arsenal tick and conduct proceedings is what makes him a superb midfielder at his peak.
When Odegaard plays well, Arsenal do too.
2. Lamine Yamal - Barcelona (NEW)
Lamine Yamal may have had a poor World Cup by his incredibly high standards, but he has started the new season in scintillating style for a Barcelona team that just cannot stop scoring.
Barca have scored five or more goals five times already this campaign, and have 28 goals in six league games, illustrating their attacking prowess. They have won all their games and sit top of LaLiga.
Lamine remains an irresistible attacking force, a remarkable footballer hoping to win the Ballon d'Or in a month's time. The Spaniard has eight goals and four assists in seven games, while also creating a league-high 21 chances from open play. In the Champions League, he completed seven dribbles on Matchday 1 - more than anyone else.
Teams simply have no answer for Barcelona and the 19-year-old.
1. Raphinha - Barcelona (NEW)
Two seasons ago, Raphinha was a real Ballon d'Or contender. Now, he is set to be one again, after a jaw-dropping start to the campaign.
Playing up front after Robert Lewandowski's departure, the Brazilian has taken to his new position like a duck to water, and no player fits Hansi Flick's system better. His work ethic and pressing from the front, along with his directness and decisiveness in the final third, make him a complete forward.
The Barcelona captain already has 11 goals in all competitions this season in just seven games, most recently bagging a hat-trick in the 7-2 victory over Racing Santander. He is the LaLiga top scorer with nine goals.
Barca were linked with Julian Alvarez all summer, but with Raphinha up front, they may have stumbled upon an even better option...