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From 1990 to 2000, we've seen the rise of great footballers whose talents have captured the hearts of fans, and dominated leagues across the globe. Each birth year from this era produced footballers who impacted the sport through skill, consistency, leadership, or an uncanny ability to deliver in crucial moments.
This breakdown spotlights the best footballers born in each year from 1990 to 2002—those who not only excelled individually but often led their teams to unprecedented success. Let's dive right in.
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Toni Kroos- 1990
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Arguably one of the best central midfielders to play the beautiful game. Born on January 4, 1990, in Greifswald, East Germany, Kroos honed his technical skills early, growing up in a family steeped in athleticism—his father, Roland, was a professional football coach.
Kroos began his professional journey at Bayern Munich, joining their youth ranks in 2006 and making his Bundesliga debut at 17. Although he showed flashes of brilliance, the crowded Bayern midfield prompted a loan move to Bayer Leverkusen in 2009.
At Leverkusen, he refined his game, and when he returned to Bayern in 2010, he established himself as a key member of the squad.
Over the next four years, Kroos became integral to Bayern's dominance, which culminated in the historic 2013 treble under Jupp Heynckes.In 2014, following Germany’s World Cup victory where he shone as one of the tournament's best footballers, Kroos transferred to Real Madrid for €25 million.
At Real Madrid, he quickly became an essential component of the midfield trio alongside Luka Modrić and Casemiro. Together, they formed one of the most successful midfield units in recent football history, helping Real Madrid win three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles from 2016 to 2018.
With a playing style defined by his extraordinary vision, passing precision, and composure under pressure, Kroos has achieved a remarkable career, setting a benchmark for modern midfield play.
Kevin De Bruyne- 1991
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Kevin De Bruyne is regarded as one of the world’s most complete midfielders, he combines creative vision with technical precision and physical endurance to impact every aspect of the game.
The player was born on June 28, 1991, in Drongen, Belgium. De Bruyne’s professional career began at Genk, where he won the Belgian Pro League title in 2011. His standout performances attracted the attention of Chelsea, which he joined in 2012.
However, limited opportunities and loan spells to Werder Bremen ultimately resulted in his move to Wolfsburg in 2014. At Wolfsburg, De Bruyne flourished, leading the Bundesliga in assists and winning the German Footballer of the Year award in 2015, this convinced Manchester City to invest a then-club record of £55 million in him later that year.
He has gone on to win 6 Premier League titles and 1 Champions League title amongst other trophies at Manchester City. His crossing and passing range allow him to consistently unlock defenses, while his powerful and precise shot makes him a goal-scoring threat from any distance.
Statistically, he has consistently ranked among the top footballers in assists across Europe, having twice equaled the Premier League single-season assist record of 20, matching Thierry Henry’s record.
Kevin De Bruyne’s legacy is one of technical mastery and midfield brilliance. The Belgian International will get into the Premier League Hall of Fame once he retires from football.
Neymar- 1992
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Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, known simply as Neymar, is one of the most skillful footballers of the 21st century. Born on February 5, 1992, in Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil, Neymar has built a career defined by his creativity and flair he can easily be described as an entertainer with the ball.
Neymar’s rise to fame began in the youth ranks of Santos FC, where he quickly established himself as a generational talent. In 2010, at just 18, he won the Campeonato Paulista and the Copa do Brasil, and a year later led Santos to their first Copa Libertadores title since 1963.
At Barcelona, Neymar became part of the famed "MSN" trio alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez. His time in La Liga saw him win the treble in 2015 (La Liga, Copa del Rey, and UEFA Champions League). During his four seasons with the club, Neymar consistently ranked among the top scorers and assist leaders.
Neymar has been crucial in Brazil’s pursuit of international glory, leading them to victory in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and earning a historic Olympic gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Harry Kane- 1993
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Harry Kane, one of the Premier League’s most prolific scorers of all time, has consistently shattered records since his debut for Tottenham Hotspur. With a remarkable ability to score from almost any position, Kane became Tottenham’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing the long-standing record held by Jimmy Greaves.
Known for his clinical finishing, sharp positioning, and impressive footwork, Kane's prowess is reflected in his multiple Golden Boots, awarded to the league's top scorer. His tally of over 200 Premier League goals places him among an elite group, with only Alan Shearer ahead of him on the all-time scoring list.
He eventually left Tottenham Hotspur for Bayern in the summer of 2023 in the hopes of winning silverware.
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Bernado Silva- 1994
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Bernardo Silva, a dynamic and versatile midfielder for Manchester City, has been pivotal to the club’s recent success in the Premier League and beyond. Since joining City from AS Monaco in 2017.
His sharp dribbling, relentless work rate and creativity have made him a fan favorite and a crucial part of Pep Guardiola’s system. Silva has won multiple Premier League titles, FA Cups, and League Cups.
The Portuguese also played a key role in City’s historic treble-winning season in 2023, which included the club’s first UEFA Champions League victory.
His technical skill allows him to excel in various midfield roles and even on the wings. Known for his intricate passing and vision, he consistently helped him to contribute to both goals and assist for City.
Joshua Kimmich- 1995
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Born on February 8, 1995, in Rottweil, Germany, Kimmich began his footballing journey in the youth ranks of VfB Stuttgart before making his professional debut in 2013. His exceptional performances quickly caught the attention of Bayern Munich, who signed him in 2015.
Initially starting his career as a right-back, Kimmich showcased remarkable adaptability, eventually transitioning into a central midfield role where he has flourished.
Significant accomplishments during his tenure at Bayern Munich include several Bundesliga crowns, DFB-Pokal medals, and a 2020 UEFA Champions League triumph.
Kimmich's remarkable passing range, vision, and hard ethic define his style of play. He can join the attack and frequently dictates play from deep positions due to his deep understanding of the game.
He was a member of the team that advanced to the UEFA European Championship semifinals in 2016 and the FIFA Confederations Cup semifinals in 2017, when Germany won.
Rodri- 1996
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Rodrigo Hernández Cascante has rapidly established himself as one of the premier defensive midfielders in modern football. Born on June 22, 1996, in Madrid, Spain, Rodri's footballing journey began in the youth system of Rayo Vallecano before he joined Atlético Madrid’s academy.
Rodri made his professional debut for Atlético Madrid in 2015 and quickly showcased his immense potential, earning a reputation for his tactical awareness, and physicality, he joined Villarreal CF, where he further developed his game, becoming a key figure in the midfield and attracting attention from major clubs across Europe.
His standout performances at Villarreal ultimately led to his transfer to Manchester City in 2019 for a reported fee of €70 million, making him one of the most expensive midfielders in history.
Rodri's performances in the 2022–2023 season increased to unprecedented levels, and he played a significant role in Manchester City's historic treble-winning campaign. His game-winning goal against Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final remains memorable for City fans.
He won Player of the Tournament at the Euros 2024 and helped Spain win the competition their first since 2012. Rodri recently received the coveted Ballon d'Or in recognition of his achievements.
Lautaro Martinez- 1997
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Martínez's footballing journey began in the youth ranks of local club Liniers before moving to the youth academy of Racing Club. He made his professional debut for Racing in 2015, quickly gaining attention for his dynamic play and ability to score goals.
Martínez's breakout season came in 2017 when he helped Racing Club secure the Copa de la Superliga. His performances in Argentina did not go unnoticed, leading to a transfer to Inter Milan in 2018 for a reported fee of €22 million.
he became a pivotal figure in the club's attacking setup, forming a formidable partnership with Romelu Lukaku during the 2020-2021 season, which saw the team claim the Serie A title, ending Juventus's nine-year reign as champions.
Kylian Mbappe- 1998
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known for his blistering pace, technical skill, and clinical finishing. Mbappe was born on December 20, 1998, in Bondy, France, Mbappé's footballing journey began at a young age, influenced by his father, a football coach, and his mother, who was a former professional handball player.
He joined AS Bondy’s youth team before moving to Clairefontaine, France's national football academy, Mbappé made his professional debut for AS Monaco in 2015 at just 16 years old, quickly capturing attention with his extraordinary talent.
During the 2016-2017 season, he played a crucial role in helping Monaco secure the Ligue 1 title, scoring 15 goals and providing 11 assists. his performances secured a transfer to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in 2017. Initially joining on loan, his transfer became permanent the following year for a reported fee of €180 million.
Over the years, he consistently ranked among the top goal scorers in Ligue 1, winning multiple league titles and domestic cups.
During the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where he played a pivotal role in leading France to victory. At just 19 years old, he became the youngest French player to score in a World Cup and was instrumental in the final against Croatia, scoring one goal and providing an assist. His performances earned him the FIFA World Cup Best Young Player.
Darwin Nunez- 1999
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Núñez, who was born in Artigas, Uruguay, on June 24, 1999, came from a poor upbringing and showed an early love for football. He started in the youth division of La Luz, his local club, before transferring to Penarol's youth system to further his development.
When Núñez made his professional debut with Penarol in 2017, scouts were immediately drawn to him because of his strong build, quickness, and ability to score goals. In 2019, he moved to the Spanish team Almería as a result of his performances in the Uruguayan Primera División.
Several European clubs were interested in him because of his outstanding play in Spain, which finally resulted in a 2020 transfer to Benfica. He leaped in the 2021–2022 season, finishing as the Primeira Liga's top scorer with 26 goals and winning the Player of the Year title.
For an estimated €100 million, Núñez made a high-profile move to Liverpool FC in June 2022, becoming one of the most costly acquisitions in the team's history.
Núñez's intensity, quickness, and remarkable movement off the ball define his style of play. He has an excellent sense of direction and frequently finds himself in advantageous locations to take advantage of possibilities.
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Erling Haaland- 2000
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Erling Haaland has rapidly ascended to become one of the most formidable strikers in world football, known for his extraordinary goal-scoring ability, physical presence, and speed.
Born on July 21, 2000, in Leeds, England, Haaland comes from a sporting family; his father, Alf-Inge Håland, was a professional footballer, and his mother, Gry Marita Braut, was a former heptathlete.
Haaland began his career at Bryne FK, where he made his professional debut in 2016. His exceptional performances in the Norwegian top division caught the attention of European clubs, leading to a move to Molde FK.
In January 2019, Haaland joined Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg. His time in Salzburg proved to be a breakout period, as he gained international recognition for his goal-scoring prowess in both domestic and European competitions. In the 2019-2020 UEFA Champions League, Haaland became the youngest player to score 10 goals in the tournament, displaying his ability to perform on the biggest stages.
The Norwegian striker's impressive performances in Austria led to a transfer to Borussia Dortmund in December 2019, where he continued to flourish.
At Dortmund, Haaland quickly established himself as one of Europe’s most lethal strikers, finishing as the Bundesliga’s top scorer in multiple seasons and regularly finding the net in the Champions League
Haaland completed a much-anticipated move to Manchester City in the summer of 2022, joining the Premier League winners for an estimated €60 million. In his first season, Haaland shattered several records with his amazing speed and finishing prowess.
He became the fastest player in Premier League history to score 20 goals and he broke the record for the most goals scored in a single Premier League campaign (36 goals). He became one of the footballers to reach 100 goals for a Premier League team.
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