Football fans worldwide are familiar with legends like Maradona, Pele, Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo. They have had illustrious and remarkable careers. World-class football stars are universally recognized. However, alongside them, many underrated players also exist. Of course, they are not necessarily performing poorly; on the contrary, they often excel. However, their achievements are not particularly outstanding. If you're not familiar with who Wintips mentions, let's take a look at the 12 most underrated soccer players in the world right below.
The most underrated soccer players all of time
1. Wissam Ben Yedder
Wissam Ben Yedder (born August 12, 1990) is a French footballer who currently plays as a forward for Ligue 1 club AS Monaco and the French national team. He began his career at the amateur club UJA Alfortville before joining Toulouse in 2010. He scored 71 goals in 174 appearances for Toulouse, surpassing André-Pierre Gignac to become the club’s all-time top scorer of the 21st century.
He moved to Sevilla for €10 million in 2016 and scored 70 goals in 138 games during his three seasons at the club. A €40 million transfer to Monaco in 2019 led to him becoming the top scorer of Ligue 1 in his first season with the club. On the international stage, Ben Yedder has represented France at the U-21 level and also played futsal for the national team. He earned his first senior cap for France in March 2018.
2. Davor Šuker - One of the underrated soccer players
Davor Šuker's legacy in Croatian football is truly remarkable, yet often underrated. Despite his undeniable talent and significant contributions to the sport, he often doesn’t receive the recognition he deserves in Croatian football history.
One of Šuker’s greatest achievements came during the 1998 FIFA World Cup, where he captivated the world with his outstanding performances. He played a pivotal role in leading Croatia to the semi-finals of the tournament, marking a historic achievement for the young nation. Throughout the tournament, Šuker displayed his remarkable skill, scoring goals with finesse and precision.
3. Gheorghe Hagi - One of the underrated soccer players
Hagi is an iconic figure in Romanian football, widely regarded as one of the country's greatest players ever to grace the sport. His influence extended far beyond Romania’s borders, earning him recognition as one of the world’s finest footballers of the 1980s and 1990s.
Known affectionately as 'The King' by Romanian fans, Hagi built his reputation on his exceptional skillset and mesmerizing performances on the pitch. His style of play was characterized by creativity, flair, and an innate ability to dictate the tempo of the game with remarkable control. One of Hagi's most distinctive attributes lay in his dribbling prowess. With remarkable close control and agility, he had a knack for weaving through opposing defenses with remarkable ease.
4. Luis Muriel
Since joining Atalanta in 2019, Colombian forward Muriel has scored an astounding 51 goals in 110 appearances for the Serie A club. This is an impressive feat, considering the competitive nature of the Italian league. His agility, vision, goal-scoring ability, and dribbling prowess against defenders have earned him a regular starting berth in the team.
However, if you asked most football fans to name the top players in Italy’s Serie A, Muriel's name might not be the first to come to mind. Despite his impressive performances and goal-scoring record, he often goes unnoticed compared to some of the league’s more high-profile stars. Nevertheless, his impact on the pitch and his importance to Atalanta’s success cannot be overstated, making him a valuable asset to the team.
5. Georginio Wijnaldum - Among the underrated soccer players
During his time at Liverpool, Wijnaldum was a key midfield anchor for the club and played a crucial role in its success. Yet, he remained one of the most underrated midfielders in the game.
His achievements were often overshadowed by the world-famous duo of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane. This trend continued when he moved to PSG. Despite Wijnaldum's significant contributions, his name is rarely mentioned in a star-studded team featuring Neymar, Mbappé, and Lionel Messi.
6. Keylor Navas - One of the underrated soccer players
For many years, Navas has been an underrated player. Despite not always receiving the highest acclaim, he has consistently delivered outstanding performances for both club and country. The Costa Rican goalkeeper first made a name for himself at Levante before joining Real Madrid.
At Real Madrid, the Costa Rican goalkeeper won three UEFA Champions League titles and was twice named CONCACAF Player of the Year, becoming the first Costa Rican to achieve such accolades. Despite all these achievements, Keylor's market value is estimated at a modest $11 million.
7. Gerard Moreno
Gerard Moreno's journey in football is a testament to resilience, talent, and determination. Despite being one of the most underrated players in 2022, Moreno's impact on the pitch and his ability to deliver crucial performances for Villarreal and the Spanish national team cannot be overlooked.
Born in Santa Perpètua de Mogoda, Spain, Moreno began his professional career in the youth ranks of RCD Espanyol. He made his debut for Espanyol’s first team in 2010 and gradually established himself as a key player. At Villarreal, Moreno truly flourished and showcased his exceptional abilities.
8. Danny Ings - One of the underrated soccer players
Danny Ings's impact on both Burnley and Southampton proves his ability to be a game-changer. His journey—from playing a crucial role in Burnley's promotion to the Premier League in 2014 to establishing himself as a key player at Southampton—highlights his consistency and goal-scoring prowess.
In 2014, Ings played a crucial role in Burnley’s promotion campaign, scoring key goals that helped the club secure a place in the Premier League. His ability to score under pressure and in decisive moments earned him recognition as one of the standout performers in the Championship that season.
9. Tomáš Souček - One of the underrated soccer players
Tomáš Souček stands out as one of the most dedicated and exceptional players for both West Ham United and the Czech Republic national team. Although primarily a defensive midfielder, his ability to contribute at both ends of the pitch has made him one of the most complete box-to-box midfielders in modern football.
Souček's versatility allows him to excel in multiple facets of football. He not only provides defensive stability in midfield but also possesses a keen eye for scoring chances and contributes effectively to his team's attacking play. His tireless work ethic, aerial prowess, and ability to win duels make him a valuable asset at both ends of the pitch.
10. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, honored as the Netherlands Football Talent of the Year in 2003-2004, is perhaps best known for his performances in the Eredivisie. However, his progress in international football with the Dutch national team is also noteworthy, as he scored 42 goals in 78 appearances.
With 400 career goals, he is approaching the ranks of the world's top 10 strikers. Although he may not have reached global superstar status, his role for both Ajax and the national team has been invaluable, shaping his career as a striker.
11. Raphael Guerreiro - One of the underrated soccer players
Raphael Guerreiro’s versatility and technical ability make him a standout player for both Portugal and European football. His key contributions to Portugal’s EURO 2016 triumph highlighted his ability to thrive under pressure on the international stage. Guerreiro’s versatility in playing multiple positions—left-back, left midfielder, or left wing-back—makes him an invaluable asset to any team.
One of Guerreiro's notable traits is his well-rounded skillset. He possesses strength, balance, and speed, making him effective at both ends of the pitch. Whether he's tracking back to defend or making attacking runs down the flank, Guerreiro consistently demonstrates his athleticism and tactical awareness.
12. Olivier Giroud - Among the underrated soccer players
Although Olivier Giroud has not always received the recognition he deserves, the French striker has played a crucial role in the success of every team he has represented. The 36-year-old forward has scored 258 goals for clubs in 640 appearances and has won more than 10 league titles.
Giroud once again demonstrated his value against Poland on Sunday, netting his 52nd goal to become France’s all-time leading scorer. With this remarkable achievement, he surpassed the record previously held by Thierry Henry, the legendary striker who left his mark at clubs like Arsenal and Barcelona.
Conclusion
Most players on this list of underrated footballers are either retired or past their peak. Few current players are featured in this article. Simply put, in today’s game, very few players are truly underrated relative to their abilities. So, you should just view this article as interesting content for reference purposes. The football betting site will continue to post other content daily, thank you.
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