Football's highest accolades are defined by those big games - the finals, the run-in of a league season and everything in between.
A big game typically boils down to the quality of teams on show or the stage of a competition in which the said match takes place. Often, we see both combine, such as when two of the best teams meet in a final. Those games are often decided by the very best. To be considered one of the elite and in the world-class bracket, players simply must produce when it matters.
All the best players in history have done so and have defining performances, whether it's a hat trick in a World Cup final, scoring the decisive goal to win a league title or even winning the penalty which leads to a victory. These types of performances can come all over the pitch, not just in attack, and certain players relish big occasions more so than anything else and the likes of Steven Gerrard, Zinedine Zidane and Andres Iniesta are all historical examples.
With that in mind, GIVEMESPORT has decided to rank 10 of the very best big-game players in world football right now - those who consistently make a significant impact on the big occasions.
Ranking Factors
Performances - Recent history of big game performances
High-level - Competing at a very high level.
Against quality opposition - Managing to produce against quality sides when it matters.
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10 Ademola Lookman
Atalanta and Nigeria
Ademola Lookman
The Atalanta attacker has enjoyed an incredible rise in recent years, earning the African Player of the Year in 2024 for his brilliant performances. His hat-trick in the Europa League final stunned the football world given his side entered as steep underdogs, and he crushed the previously unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen in the most devastating of fashions.
For the past year and a half, he has always been the go-to man for the Italian side and while his future may lie elsewhere, any club that wishes to sign him knows that he can change a game at any given instant, and he can create something out of nothing which is a high-value skill that not many possess.
9 Bukayo Saka
Arsenal and England
Bukayo Saka
For both Arsenal and England, Bukayo Saka is a talismanic figure. Capable of creating or scoring against any side at any given opportunity, the winger has grown into a senior role despite still being only 23. His injury has handicapped Arsenal, and they look a completely different side without him, further demonstrating how key he is.
Before his untimely layoff, he managed goals against Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool, while last year saw him net against Bayern Munich, a brace against Tottenham as well as a key goal to help save England at Euro 2024 against Switzerland. Prior to that, he was the Tree Lions' best player against France at the 2022 World Cup and there is a whole future ahead where he will be key for both club and country at the highest level.
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8 Raphinha
Barcelona and Brazil
Raphinha
In terms of this season, Raphinha has been the star performer for Barcelona. There aren't many players in Europe that can be considered at his level this year and his latest strike to help his 10-man side overcome Benfica away in the first leg of their Champions League clash was a clear example of his big-game nature.
He has dominated both Madrid clubs this season. With Barca set to challenge for multiple honours, including the league, Champions League and Spanish Cup, it is likely, given the form he's in, that he will have the final say in those competitions due to his incredible quality in the final third that can result in a goal.
7 Lamine Yamal
Barcelona and Spain
Lamine Yamal Barcelona
Despite the fact he is yet to turn 18, it is remarkable to think that he is a standout player for both club and country and already a European Championship winner. On the right wing for Barcelona, he is a go-to figure, and Hansi Flick has championed the youngster and given him the necessary freedom to thrive. He is deadly in the final third whether he scores or assists.
Yamal has been sensational in games such as the Euro 2024 semi-finals against France, registering an assist against both Germany and England, as well as in the two heavy El Clasico victories against Real Madrid this season. Hopefully, as fans, we can witness his greatness unfold across the years and, with Barcelona set to be involved in big games from now until the end of the season, we could see him step up once again to decide multiple major trophies.
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6 Cole Palmer
Chelsea and England
Cole Palmer
The rise of Cole Palmer has been truly remarkable. Within less than two years, he's risen from being a hot prospect to a leading star in the Premier League, which has happened due to his ability to step up in big games. Not only that, he virtually placed the entire Chelsea team on his back and carried them for the entirety of the 2023-24 season. Plus, he dazzled in small cameos at Euro 2024 for England before netting an incredible low strike to briefly bring the Three Lions level in the final against Spain.
He's stood over high-pressure penalties, settled derbies and embarrassed defenders in those big games and his ability to close off the pressure and outside noise may be the key. His confidence and unshakable belief in his ability means he is always a threat, no matter the opposition, and he will be hoping Chelsea can qualify for the Champions League next season so he can light up Europe's premier competition.
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5 Robert Lewandowski
Bayern Munich and Poland
Robert Lewandowski
Throughout the entirety of his career, Robert Lewandowski has always played a key role in big games. Fans will remember his iconic four-goal haul against the might of Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid side in the 2011-12 season, and he has always been a factor on those big occasions.
Even now, at 36, he's netted in wins over Bayern Munich and in the two victories over Madrid. The Polish forward netted against France at Euro 2024 and managed goals against Madrid and Atletico Madrid last season and his experience and clinical nature, even at this advanced stage of his career, ensures he is always a threat and capable of making his mark.
4 Vinicius Junior
Real Madrid and Brazil
Vinicius Junior
The Real Madrid star was extremely close to winning the Ballon d'Or in 2024, but he fell short of the incredible Rodri. His rise from a frustrating trickster to a leading figure in the sport has been remarkable, and it culminated in a goal in the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund in 2024 to go alongside his winner against Liverpool in the same competition final two years earlier.
While it hasn't quite happened at international level yet, the 2026 World Cup will be a chance for him to shine where it really matters. The 24-year-old netted a phenomenal hat-trick in the Champions League against Dortmund this season to help keep them in the competition early on. Last season saw him score two in the semi-final against Bayern as well as a hat-trick in the Super Cup final against Barcelona.
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3 Mohamed Salah
Liverpool and Egypt
Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah raises a fist of acknowledgement
Like any player with such an outstanding record, of course, Mohamed Salah steps up in big games. To put that into context, numbers-wise, in the Premier League era he has 88 goal contributions against the top six sides across his eight campaigns in England - which is an incredible achievement.
Whenever Liverpool takes on an esteemed rival, he always has a significant impact on the game. Be it from the penalty spot or open play, his ability to be extremely efficient means he can hurt teams at any time. On those real big occasions, however, he usually steps up. He's netted in the big games this season against Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal, Newcastle United, Manchester United, Everton and Aston Villa - and he isn't showing any signs of slowing down.
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2 Jude Bellingham
Real Madrid and England
Jude Bellingham
Ever since moving to Real Madrid in 2023, Jude Bellingham has become one of the most recognisable names and one of the best players in the world. His first season in Spain saw him collect three trophies, including the Champions League, before then grabbing the Super Cup and FIFA Intercontinental Cup, and his goals and assists helped to carry Carlo Ancelotti's side to many victories - he even decided the El Clasico with a pile-driver from 30-yards.
Then there's his efforts for England. His dramatic overhead kick against Slovenia in the dying minutes of added time saved his entire country from the embarrassment of an early exit to an underdog nation, and he ran off celebrating, gesturing 'who else?' to the crowd in another example of his big-game pedigree. He managed an assist in both the European Championship final and Champions League finals and goal contributions in all three games against rivals Barcelona in his first season, and he managed a last-minute winner against Man City in Europe earlier this year too.
1 Kylian Mbappe
Real Madrid and France
Kylian Mbappe
Given that Kylian Mbappe became just one of three men in football history to net a hat-trick in a World Cup final - it's safe to say that he is a big game player. With what can only be described as an incredible career record, we saw him shine at the 2018 World Cup as France triumphed. With a goal in the final, he has set the world alight on the international stage and could well have had back-to-back World Cup winners' medals if a certain Lionel Messi wasn't destined to win in 2022.
At club level, during his time at Monaco, PSG and now Real Madrid, we've seen countless big game moments. Take this season: He netted in the Super Cup final, managed a hat-trick in the Champions League to down Pep Guardiola's Man City side, a goal in the league game against Atletico Madrid and a brilliant opener in the Super Cup defeat to Barcelona. Now 26, we can expect more iconic moments to manifest themselves across the rest of his career. We're sure of it.
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Statistics in this article are courtesy of Transfermarkt. Correct as of 08-03-25.