Happy Thanksgiving! And on this day, when we consider what we're thankful for, we think to soccer. Specifically these 15 players.
Antoine Griezmann
It was the year of Griezmann. He helped Atletico Madrid get to the Champions League final in the spring, France make the Euro final in the summer and Atleti have been the best team in Europe this fall. He did it with sweet goals, nasty dribbling and endrearingly awkward goal celebrations.
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Christian Pulisic
The future of American soccer is already the present. He's playing at a higher club level than anyone else the U.S. has and he just turned 18. We can pencil him onto this list for the next 12 years.
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Cristiano Ronaldo
Champions League: Check.
Euros: Check.
Still Ronaldo: Check.
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Sebastian Giovinco
The only time Giovinco isn't perfect is when he's hurt. Barring injury, he's the best player in MLS and single-handedly makes Toronto FC worth watching.
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Dimitri Payet
If Payet has the ball, pay attention. It doesn't matter if he's taking a free kick, shooting from 30 yards, finding open teammates or turning opposing defenders inside out, he has the best highlight reel in the world right now.
Hirving Lozano
Lozano is going to be in Europe soon enough, but for now he's busy tearing it up for Pachuca and Mexico. And it's not just that he's good — he takes joy in embarrassing opposing defenders. It's not an official Pachuca match until he puts someone on his butt.
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Claudio Marchisio
He's really good. But mainly he's really handsome.
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Ada Hegerberg
It doesn't matter if you're watching Olympique Lyon or Norway, Hegerberg is scoring goals. She'll do it any number of ways and she'll even spend some time setting up teammates. It was no fluke when she was named the best player in Europe.
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Dele Alli
Alli plays the sport entirely to embarrass opponents and ruin their lives. That must be celebrated.
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Joshua Kimmich
He's 21 and already amazing at three positions. That's cheating.
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Lynn Williams
Williams finally got her first cap for the U.S. this year. Winning NWSL MVP will get you some recognition.
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Lionel Messi
Put him on this list every year until he retires. Scratch that, until he dies, or at least until YouTube disappears.
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Paul Pogba
There isn't a thing he can't do. That he was catching flack for his first couple months with Manchester United — when he was stillplaying very good — is proof of how incredible he is. He's also the coolest human being in the sport.
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Riyad Mahrez
Leicester were good. They were really good. They won the damn Premier League. And they weren't boring either. That's because of this man.
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Luka Modric
Modric is a better passer with the outside of his boot than 90 percent of players are with the inside.
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