The CIES Football Observatory has released its annual report detailing the most decisive football players of 2025, highlighting Lionel Messi's sustained excellence on the field. At 38 years old, Messi continues to demonstrate remarkable offensive capabilities, leading the list with an impressive 59 contributions involving goals and assists, significantly outpacing peers like Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe, who secured 42 and 41 contributions respectively.

The report also introduces a "difficulty factor" which adjusts player rankings based on the competitiveness of the leagues in which they play. In this adjusted metric, Messi achieved 66.3 points, narrowly ahead of Mbappe at 65.4 points and Kane at 64.5 points. This indicates that while Messi’s raw contribution numbers are impressive, the contexts of the leagues contribute to their effectiveness and overall evaluation in the global football landscape.

Additionally, the report brings to light some surprises within the top ten rankings, notably featuring Michael Olise from Bayern Munich at fourth place with 54.9 points, signifying his rising status in European football. These insights reflect ongoing shifts in talent and influence across international football as new players emerge alongside established icons like Messi.