Six Argentines make ESPN's FC 100: Messi tops the ranking of the world's best

Six names. That's the number putting Argentina back at the center of the global soccer conversation. The 2026 edition of ESPN's FC 100, the ranking that brings together the most outstanding players on the planet according to ESPN Research, included six Albiceleste players, a showing that confirms something already well known in South America: the national team that reached the 2026 World Cup final was no one tournament fluke, but the reflection of a squad spread across Europe's top leagues and MLS.

At the very top, as expected, is Lionel Messi, ranked among the best wingers in the world at age 39. The captain arrives at this edition with numbers that are striking even by his own standards: eight goals and four assists at the 2026 World Cup, personal bests at a World Cup, and the feat of scoring in nine straight matches of the same tournament, something no other player had ever done. With Inter Miami he added another MLS Cup and the league's Most Valuable Player award in 2025, and in October he signed a contract extension through 2028. On his future with the national team, he was clear before the World Cup even began:

I'll only play for Argentina if I'm at 100 percent physically.Lionel Messi

Below him, between the posts, Emiliano Martinez made the list again after a season that combined Europa League glory with Aston Villa and a towering performance in the World Cup final: 11 saves, the most in a World Cup final in the last 60 years. All of this while playing with a fractured finger sustained during the warmup for that continental final.

Midfield and attack, with mixed fortunes

In midfield, two very different stories stand out. Enzo Fernandez combines the ability to score decisive goals, like the equalizer against England in the semifinals, with a red card in the final that still fuels debate over his future at Chelsea. And Nico Paz, just 21 years old, debuts in the ranking after a remarkable season with Como in Serie A, where he racked up 18 goal contributions and came close to being among Europe's youngest standout wingers.

Up front, Lautaro Martinez holds his place among the world's top center forwards thanks to another 20-plus goal campaign with Inter Milan, while Julian Alvarez finds himself in the middle of a transfer saga that has yet to settle his future between Atletico Madrid and a reported interest from Barcelona. Six different stories, one same crest: Argentina continues to set the agenda in world soccer.