Best Footballer At EVERY Age From 16 to 40 (2023)

From wonderkids like Endrick and Jude Bellingham to veterans including Luka Modrić and Thiago Silva, HITC Sevens takes a second look at some of the world's finest footballers at every age from 16 to 40 and beyond - having first done so five years ago.
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[@lalitthapa101]

I had a Video Suggestion: HITC Sevens 2023 Awards,maybe? Would love to see Alfie giving out awards to the best,worst & absurd happenings in the world of football in 2023 & above them, all the nomination categories you come up with complimented with that Alfie-esque Humor. Happy Holidays Alfie!🥂 #thepeopleschannel

[@soundscape26]

Good idea actually.

[@A-se2ur]

I could imagine them now. “Loophole abuser of the year 2023”

[@michaelmearney5721]

He used to do this!

[@Don_Dewitt]

Good shout

[@joachimhovgaardramlau3064]

He did it in 2020 I think, it could be cool, if he did it again

[@hugoafonso2102]

"Pepe has matured and moderated his temper"!?! He's already been sent off twice this season, both times for hitting opponents! 😂 Oh, btw, Joao Neves' name translated into English is John Snows. So, be careful about how you address the true King.

[@HITCSevens]

Only twice by Christmas?! As I said, matured and moderated!

[@hugoafonso2102]

@@HITCSevens 😄Yes, he's aging like a fine wine! And also like wine, he'll knock you out if you're not careful...

[@plozky123]

It's crazy that the first few years only features Real Madrid's and Barca's Players, the future is super bright for these team

[@davinnicode]

Real had one of the best transitions of every top team with these incredible signings.

[@-AxisA-]

Who knows if they will stay in these clubs.

[@plozky123]

that's true, these kids still have tremendous potential nonetheless@@-AxisA-

[@jacklynch7802]

​@@-AxisA-if they are good enough for those clubs they wont leave

[@-AxisA-]

@@jacklynch7802 Messi was good enough for Barca. In fact he was the best player ever to play in Barca, definetly the best of his era and arguably the best player of all time. Why did he leave Barca? Cristiano Ronaldo was the best player at Real, Second best player of his era and one of the greatest players to ever play the game. Why did he leave Real?:D Those are just 2 phenomenal players who definetly were good enough for those 2 teams and there's many more amazing players who were good enough for those clubs who have left those clubs. Why did they leave?:D

[@shivamsingal7740]

Greatest players to have been relegated

[@kageryu311]

This would be a good one.

[@No1LukasGrahamFan]

Pavel Nedved and Gigi Buffon

[@michaelmetcalfe4882]

Michael Laudrup, Franco Baresi, Roy Keane, Tom Finney, Gabriel Batistuta, Rio Ferdinand... off the top of my head. I can only think of English and Italian league players though.

[@shivamsingal7740]

@@No1LukasGrahamFan good ones but I think only performance based relegations would be more interesting

[@archstanton6102]

Plenty of great players in bith relegated Newcastle teams incl Owen

[@adamdickinson2894]

Can tell Alfie was fighting the urge to pick Liam Delap over Bellingham for age 20

[@stormriderrs]

Honourable mention to Luis Suarez being the best player in the Brazilian league with amazing numbers for Grêmio! If it wasn’t for his best friend being Messi, he should deffo be on the list!

[@RoyMatzem]

Even only Mention woulbe absurd, Suarez had over 50 goals contribuition and was MVP of the league. Muller only started 4 games and scored only 1 gol. The whole list seems was done by the past of the players or something like that...

[@FearsomeVoid]

For real? Big disrespect to Suárez.

[@FearsomeVoid]

@@RoyMatzem "Muller only started 4 games and scored only 1 gol" You spelled Messi wrong.

[@yeezyskeezy8039]

@@FearsomeVoidno. I don’t think he did

[@jessikamiranda2306]

​@@RoyMatzemSuarez is 36, not 34...

[@areebsiddiqui758]

Agree with most of your picks although I'd go for Pedri over Camavinga. Also, Endrick may be more talented and with higher potential, but Zaire Emery has been doing it in the Champions league for one of the biggest teams in Europe which is more impressive at 17.

[@callumpartridge625]

Suggesting the anyone at PSG has been “doing it in the champions league” is a tad generous.

[@bernhardsonn7758]

I agree with you

[@jacklynch7802]

​@@callumpartridge625 they qualified from the toughest group in the comp

[@callumpartridge625]

@@jacklynch7802 if they didn’t it would’ve been a disaster, they ought to qualify from that group with ease given the players and resources they have. They got through by the skin of their teeth. PSG have never “done it” in the champions league

[@jvillanueva2978]

@@callumpartridge625 other than mbappe, Emery has been PSGs most consistent players which is crazy to say. And yes his stats in champions league matches are really good regardless of the teams overall performance.

[@EgoPanikBG]

Since you mentioned Neuers influence on the goal keeping position, I think it would be a fun idea to look at 7 footballers who would have been better in another era. People in the past who could benefit from current day standard of professionalismc players from today who could benefit outdated tactics, etc.

[@crobisbobis]

HITC Sevens continues to be the only Football KZbinr on the planet that actually watches Football. Wonderful list !

[@T.E.S.S.]

what a dumb thing to say

[@shaqul222]

@@T.E.S.S.yeah you are right, others watch it too, they just don’t understand anything from it 🤣

[@RoyMatzem]

If that was true, he would know that Muller and Modric started 80% of the season on the bench and barely contribued to any goals at all...

[@drillnewsandclips3798]

​@RoyMatzem who's he meant to pick over Mueller then?

[@RoyMatzem]

@@drillnewsandclips3798 Henryk Mikhtaryan, started every game, and made 2 goals 5 assists

[@Tre_Vor194]

Really great video man, had my attention at every second. You football knowledge and your thoughts about certain players are really accurate, can tell you love football. Keep it up!

[@mr7teen922]

Osimhen really dragged Napoli to a super season and capped it off with winning Africa POTY but loses his place to Englishman Declan Rice. No shocker there.

[@anubis8586]

Ehh he’s amazing and helped Napoli to a historic league win but he shouldn’t have won the Africa POTY. Proves how there’s a bias for whatever/whoever is trending. I agree picking him over Rice tho 100%

[@willyvonfalknerheim4128]

@@anubis8586 it a striker issue

[@morkujinirukandji4820]

@@anubis8586then who should have won the African POTY?

[@smallietv4662]

he is just racist

[@FearsomeVoid]

@@morkujinirukandji4820 Salah.

[@mellowado6184]

Merry Christmas Alfie. You've kept me entertained all year. Long may it continue!

[@randomdudd2611]

Surprised Kendry Paez didn't get mentioned for the 16 year old category. Lamine deserves it, but Paez is looking very gifted as well

[@briangomez2214]

Seeing the age of the players 22-30 is fascinating, we've seen them play for years, but i always think most of them are 22-25. These past 7 years have blown by.

[@MastinoNapoletano420]

Happy Holidays Alfie! Hope you and your family have safe and happy new year as well!

[@karlosmarcos5587]

You forgot a honorable mention for Nico Williams at 21 😊

[@michaelforrest3370]

Love to see a video on the rise of Barrow, seem to really be punching well above their weight, very well run club

[@josejimmy7920]

Reus not even getting a shoutout at 34 is criminal

[@paulschroder2829]

@@Abhishek.Singh0098 at least this season he ist undoubtely better then Müller, he has still become a bundesliga legend even though he was injured so frequently

[@blackhole1315]

Very good list, but I wouldn't put Lautaro over Frenkie and Dias; Dias is arguably the best CB in the world right now, and was instrumental in City's treble-winning season, while Frenkie facilitates nearly all of Barça's attacks, is indubitably the best ball-carrier in the world right now, and is immensely versatile, with my only criticism of him being his inability to function as a single pivot (although that is not his main role in the team). Lautaro is obviously a world class player, and people who solely judge him based on his world cup performance are probably the same people who believe that Higuain was an average player, but Frenkie and Ruben are better in their respective positions imo

[@No1LukasGrahamFan]

Dias has been kinda mid this season tho, Lautaro is more consistent

[@arielayo]

Exactly. Lautaro is not better than Frenkie De Jong

[@rhysgiudici5797]

Dias is nowhere near being the best CB in the world at the moment

[@ScheppundFries]

lautaro is top 3 strikers in the world atm. Of course he is the right choice for 26.

[@retrobebop3437]

@@rhysgiudici5797he is A bad two three games but he’s still better than saliba

[@I_enjoy_some_things]

Lamine Yamal is one of the only 16 year old "top prospect" footballers who actually looks 16 lol. Most of these guys look 21+ by the time they're 16/17.

[@master17r]

How about a best 11 for Brazil with players at the peak of their powers? If that goes well, there's a few countries that would warrant a video like that

[@Don_Dewitt]

Surprised I didn't get a mention at 29. Sure I haven't played 5 a side in years but on raw talent alone

[@thomasrisbjergschrder9341]

Video Idea: The expansion of the World Cup to include 48 teams, and it's impact, for better or worse, on the sport.

[@bidhangtm1250]

7 best premier league debut seasons

[@David-qq9bk]

28:25 matured and moderated 40 year old pepe: sent off for aggression in BOTH clássicos he’s played this season (vs benfica and sporting)

[@danieIantonio]

Merry Christmas Alfie!

[@JuanVega-dz4lc]

Declan rice better than osimhen is criminal

[@raulvidal2343]

I expected Kendry Paez with 16yo to be at least mentioned.

[@pesiganfrancisluisd.1461]

Best 16 Yr old prospects for me, Lamine Yamal and Kendry Paez

[@wasdrankings1518]

I love you alfie but picking endrick over zaire-emery is insane

[@user-uv8lr1zl9j]

You should do the ‘Best footballer from every country’ made over 5 yrs ago

[@xtralarge4]

Regarding Pepe and Thiago Silva... Maldini and Nesta + cafu and costacurta would like a word, Alfie.

[@Cancun771]

Have you done the seven best scouting teams already? (And remember, Z is always pronounced like 'ts' in German...)

[@ultrainstinctshaggy669]

Theo Hernandez is a good LB for his age. He could have gotten an honourable mention

[@RyuzakiTaiyou]

Best German players in the premier league of all time. (Day 588) I will not give up until the video is made or Alfie himself tells me to stop. Everyone else telling me that will be ignored. If you don't believe my number, just go back to the previous videos. I'm at the bottom most of the time, but I'm there.

[@RegzalTG]

588?

[@RegzalTG]

588

[@RegzalTG]

Ok 588

[@RegzalTG]

This is day 558?

[@RegzalTG]

Ok so this is day 588

[@waffle.supply]

Hi Alfie, i'd love a video on Elton Johns time at Watford

[@me_m2004]

Hey sevens am a ugandan and have love your videos big fan and i personally love your "what on earth is going on" series

[@animeking5068]

Make a video about best german players in the premier league of all time. Got inspired by RyuzakiTaiyo's comment

[@123jackod]

Do the where are they now video! Love these vids

[@ceronibalsamar5352]

The english tax is real... This video is proof.

[@TheRealOTK]

I'd love to see a video about the best MLS prospects that you think will be in Europe within the next few years.

[@thecommentguy8366]

I laughed way to hard at "eddie howe" at the end of the video

[@ganaed9954]

I would've gone with Saliba dude is a wall one of the best CBs I seen in years. And he's only 22. I don't get it some of these players are injured or were injured for a long time Neuer and Gavi come to mind, calling them the best when they're not even playing seems off. Great list either way!

[@JozeP1973]

Pepe moderated his temper… just racked another red card in his last match 😂

[@pratikraj4384]

Alfie, kroos being snubbed over gundo is borderline criminal.

[@RedCloudGawdian]

Nah not on the past 3 years it isn't. This isn't about who has the best career it's who's better now. Kroos isn't a guaranteed starter if everyone's fit at Madrid but Gundogan is at Barca

[@ceronibalsamar5352]

​@@RedCloudGawdian You genuinely believe that Gundo is better than Kroos now? 😂😂

[@rohit.thestructuralengineer]

Toni Kroos is most consistent player in world and not just consistent, consistent at world level

[@pratikraj4384]

@@RedCloudGawdian kroos is competing for that spot in the midfield against tchouameni, bellingham, camavinga and valverde. Add modric to the mix. It isn't exactly fair to say that kroos isn't a regular starter at madrid. Whenever he plays he's much more effective than gundogan.

[@RedCloudGawdian]

​@@pratikraj4384Gundo competes with De Jong, Pedri and Gavi and was starting when everyone was fit my guy 😂

[@GreekHouseEffect]

I'd put Griezmann over De Bruyne. He's completeley killing it while KDB is injured

[@daverobotics7064]

Yes, however, if he is going over this entire year (Jan 2023 - Now), KDB has been better because last season counts, however, the season, Griezmann has definitely been better

[@antoviamonte3429]

if it was based off the 23/24 season, sure. But this is off the 2023 calendar year, in which KDB was probably the best attacking midfielder itw.

[@HistoricFootballnews]

Pre video predictions(I also haven't watched the original video Toni Kroos, Lionel Messi, Luka Modric,Kylian Mbappe, Thomas Müller and Kevin De Bruyne

[@arielayo]

Lautaro Martinez is not better than Frenkie De Jong

[@MildlyEducational]

A where are they now video sounds like a great idea!

[@barrotboom2542]

do the bloody where are they now video for these lot 5 years back!

[@kaelin2475]

Do an updated version of the best player from every country in the world please

[@stevecrowe1489]

Suprised Lewis Miley didn't get a mention at 17, already played champions league football and would be fast tracked into the England set up if we had someone more competent.

[@mezykin]

Was expecting Lewis Miley to get an honourable mention too

[@christianthe18]

I can't believe that Kylian Mbappe is 25

[@chlcrk]

We're all getting too old. He'll be 35 before we know it

[@marlinbundo6045]

One that shocked me the most was Kimmich's age

[@glencurtis6052]

He's played in two World cups, why would that be a surprise?

[@anubis8586]

@@glencurtis6052 there was always this feeling for the longest time even until recently that he’s still a youngster. There were running jokes and memes about it even lol

[@FearsomeVoid]

​@@chlcrk it's crazy how time passes so fast. I still can't believe that I'm 30 now, and that I'm going to be 31 next year.

[@slvijohannessen5395]

Not even giving Dante a shout at 40 is simply outrageous... He has been one of the best central defenders for about a year and a half for a very defensively solid OGC Nice team

[@Ditchdigger2005]

Seems his current run has come too late for Cole Palmer to get a mention for 21. Hopefully in 5 years he'll a) still be at Chelsea and b) improved even more, so he'll appear on the next list.

[@fotamilis98]

You are amazing

[@ashleyw6728]

Cant wait to see some of these teenagers in 10 years

[@cuginoeddie8677]

You could have started at 15 with Francesco Camarda from Milan

[@rohank1982]

Difference in quality between 25 and 26 is crazy

[@Callum-nb5cf]

Gnabry should NOT be an honourable mention 🤣

[@nashanestewart5830]

Modric is not even playing for Madrid nowadays while Ronaldo is the top scorer in 2023

[@Spidersox1989]

One is playing for real madrid and the other is playing for Al nasser

[@nashanestewart5830]

@@Spidersox1989 a Madrid player that's not playing

[@madalitsomaluwa7944]

You shouldn't engage with these Ronaldo haters. They are losers already enough in their personal lives. They wont listen to logic

[@RoyMatzem]

What? This isnt about right now? Because Muller and Modric barely plays anymore. Suarez/Reus and Ronaldo are insanely better right now.

[@jakobsmith4046]

I was wondering if you'd put Trent for 25, completely forgot Mbappe is also 25 lmao

[@DeathTheKid4]

I'm sorry Alfie but I have to call you out on the England/Prem/Ex-prem bias here. First at 31 you pick Salah because Neymar has been injured, then immediately at 32 you pick De Bruyne over Griezmann despite De Bruyne being injured all season and Griezmann being a top 5 player in Europe this season. And then at 33 you pick Gundogan over Kroos despite one struggling with Barca and one being top of the league. Admittedly you said it's close, but still I wouldn't pick all these Premier/Ex Premier League players. Saka over Kvara or Rodrygo is also pretty crazy as well as Rice over Osimhen. Because you kinda changed the goal posts, sometimes you only talked about this season, other times about the last 5 years, other times about their whole careers.

[@anubis8586]

Lol I agree with everything else but are you actually saying Salah isn’t ? Cause he 1000% is every day of the week and twice on Sundays. Salah has been performing this season and his whole career. No bias no changing of goalposts

[@ChronicTheHempHog-mf3nh]

I agree Griezzman has been incredible this season

[@daverobotics7064]

Salah recently since Neymars injury era has been a lot better than Neymar, and he didn't say Rice over Osimhen, he said that they were the same, but if he had to do best eleven, he would pick Rice because CDMs would probably be harder to get as other than him, there's only Rodri and Camavinga

[@jamaicastrong3368]

Yes, please do the where are they now.

[@shtbutt]

Frenkie De Jong but Lautaro has been on fire recently

[@edenbeeden9876]

Dante Bonfim should've been an honourable mention for 40 you missed badly on that one Alfie

[@junbek05]

Alfie I reckon Dante over Pepe he is probably in his prime at 40 at Nice

[@vascomarinho]

nope pepe scored in champions league this season (oldest goalscorer of all time)

[@kujo366]

Ronaldo's last 10 games for Man Utd were played while he was 37, not 38, and with all due respect, Modric isn't really even a starter anymore for Real Madrid he's one of my favourite midfielders but half his matches are off the bench. I don't think Ronaldo's bad start to the 2022-2023 season (in which he was 37) is reason enough for Modric to overtake him, as the EPL is tougher, Ten Haag also only let him play 520 mins of the 10 games, which is not even 6 games' worth of playing time. Because he and the camp thought Ronaldo was skipping training and lied about his dead child and sick mother. Even though he is usually 1st to training & last to leave.

[@matthewcoates1775]

I didn't have a lot of problems with the players in the video until gundogan over kroos. Honestly tho, excellent vid apart from that

[@KanJonathan]

Feel like looking back two third of my football fans' life.

[@RegzalTG]

Make a video about best German players in the premier league of all time 😊

[@RegzalTG]

Ryuzaki Taiyou 😊

[@adamdickinson2894]

The first video on this was 5 years ago? Man time flies

[@lukasklausson4007]

7:57 this voice crack 😂😂😂

[@mcbassinfaas7285]

indeed rodri is a disgusting piece to any puzzle in any team dude is brilliant

[@LuigiLuigi728]

From 5 years ago: 16: Ryan Gravenberch 17: Rodrygo 18: Jadon Sancho 19: Gianluigi Donnarumma 20: Kylian Mbappe 21: Ousmane Dembele 22: Leroy Sane 23: Joshua Kimmich 24: Raheem Sterling 25: Harry Kane 26: Neymar 27: Kevin De Bruyne 28: David De Gea 29: Gareth Bale 30: Robert Lewandowski 31: Lionel Messi 32: David Silva 33: Cristiano Ronaldo 34: Giorgio Chiellini 35: Dani Alves 36: Petr Cech 37: Aritz Arduiz 38: Xavi 39: Stefano Sorrentino 40: Gianluigi Buffon

[@LuigiLuigi728]

Still the best in his age group: Mbappe, Harry Kane, Kimmich, KDB, Lewandowski, Messi Doing well but not the best anymore: Rodrygo, Donnarumma, Sane, CR7 Fallen well below expectations: Gravenberch, Sancho, Ousmane Dembele, Sterling, Neymar, De Gea, Gareth Bale Retired: David Silva, Chiellini, Cech, Adruiz, Sorrentino, Buffon Now a manager: Xavi In prison: Dani Alves 💀💀

[@heme9321]

You missed Dante (Nizza) for 40 - at least as an honorable mention. He played every single minute this season for Nizza as their captain (2nd in Ligue 1).

[@MustafaAshah-el9nc]

No mention for Julian Alvarez Alfie ??

[@alisagman362]

38 is Ronaldo

[@christopherreynolds9254]

Can’t wait for the Sky Sport and TalkSport versions

[@oaie7111]

Liked only for your age 38 choice.

[@benji8215]

I want you to know how happy I am I have this video uploaded

[@depekthegreat359]

Good video of course but you are ever wrong for listing Luka Modric boss instead of Cristiano Ronaldo boss which for sure,going to be a riot!!!An advanced Merry Christmas to you,your family and good friends,good friend Alfie Potts Harmer!!!I know that you are disappointed with your beloved Hull City's away defeat to Bristol City by 3-2 to remain at 6th in the English Championship with 36 points but you can celebrate the festival well before your team's next match at home against Sunderland this coming Tuesday,good friend!!!🏋‍♂️

[@antoviamonte3429]

Ronaldo’s stats for being 38 is ridiculous regardless of the league, but Modric is still one of the best midfielders itw in a top league. Not to mention he had another world class tournament at Qatar, this guy could play till he’s 45 at the level he’s playing at

[@chemiczny_bogdan3467]

That would be interesting.

[@TheBallProphet]

Lmao Just knew he’d leave Ronaldo off his list. “It’s Saudi” but why isn’t the 2022 balon d’or winner scoring the same Number of goals??

[@chucklevine6502]

I got 4/6 What about every premier league team’s best player either at the end of the season or just through this point in the year

[@Dr.Yakub22]

Best players who have never been injured

[@artie8561]

The full list:

[@glencurtis6052]

​@@artie8561actually made me laugh out loud

[@Trueangel555]

Best footballer from every country again!!! Plsss

[@christianspanggaard]

No way it's been 5 years 😲

[@bernhardsonn7758]

13:30 that is insane

[@kennethwepiaakibate8724]

I won’t lie, I lost my shit when you put Camavinga over Pedri. It just hurt, it’s all

[@Danjohnson666]

I know it was an honest mistake Alfie but you forgot Pedro Neto at 23

[@sm6996.]

Amazing player! Is he returning anytime soon?

[@Danjohnson666]

@@sm6996. yeah he’s almost back he was meant to be on the bench today but he was left out last minute probably just a precaution

[@sm6996.]

@@Danjohnson666 omg VAR just screwed you guys over again. How was that not a penalty.

[@andycilamoh2444]

You always hate Cr7

[@jackm8807]

I watch ur videos while I eat

[@cindella204]

Dang, got 5/6 on the players who crossed over from last round. I had Neuer in over Kimmich.

[@mbx90]

"Sky sport premier league" channel copied this again just now

[@samiralhajeed1239]

lewandildo lowkey been playing like hes finished this season tho

[@rodrigoandrade256]

Even though I feel these lists are always subjective and every person would have wildly different opinions on each entry, I simply cannot overlook the fact Griezmann was THIRD in his age when he's arguably the best player in the world this season

[@Joe-MT]

Can we please have a video about Maltese Football ⚽ Thank you

[@Sarchis]

It is pretty outrageous that you put Gundogan over Kroos.