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One of European football's youngest powerhouses, the 21st century has been truly transformative for Paris Saint-Germain. The €70 million (£58m/$76m) takeover by Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) in 2011 propelled the club to become French football's dominant force, usurping rivals Lyon, and regular contenders in the Champions League.
Their success has come at a cost, with QSI spending unprecedented amounts on innumerable star names, including dropping what remains the largest transfer fee of all-time on Neymar in 2017. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-cm/lists/psg-project-total-failure-irrelevance-beckons-qsi-kylian-mbappe-epic-champions-league-embarrassment/blt3722f1979a59333a" target="_blank">However, a Champions League crown still remains elusive to this day</a>.
Throughout the QSI era, and even before, some outstanding players have passed through the doors of Parc des Princes in the pursuit of glory. Below, GOAL ranks the 25 best in what has been an extraordinary period in the club's short history...<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>
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Kylian Mbappe, Zlatan Ibrahimovic & the 25 best PSG players of the 21st century so far - ranked

Ligue 1

Paris Saint-Germain

Toulouse

Once considered the heir apparent to Gianluigi Buffon, Italian goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu may well feel hard done by in terms of how his PSG career played out after close to 200 appearances.An early QSI signing, he broke the Ligue 1 clean-sheet record in his second season and was ever-reliable between the sticks, helping the club to multiple trophies, including a domestic treble in 2014-15. However, he was effectively made second-choice that summer as PSG signed Kevin Trapp.

Salvatore Sirigu

PSG's final star of their pre-takeover era, Brazilian journeyman Nene spent two-and-a-half seasons at Parc de Princes, with his flair and set-piece ability earning him plenty of plaudits.He was was Ligue 1's top scorer in 2011-12 despite the Qatari purchase of the club and a raft of new arrivals, but he was forced down the pecking order the following season and departed for Al-Gharafa in January 2013.

Nene

It's incredibly rare that you find Lionel Messi towards the bottom of any 'ranking' list, but his spell at PSG will not be particularly fondly remember by club or player. The Paris side capitalised on Barcelona's financial debacle to sign the Argentine megastar in 2021, but <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/messi-neymar-donnarruma-10-reasons-psg-season-disappointing/blt85b840325ebef164" target="_blank">their attempt to build one of the most fearsome attacks in the history of football by lining him up alongside Kylian Mbappe and Neymar would fall flat</a>.<a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/lionel-messi-psg-transfer-admission-inter-miami-forced-out-barcelona/blte9fad4992fdfa941" target="_blank">Despite being unhappy off the pitch</a>, Messi still dazzled on it; in 75 appearances, he made 67 goal contributions - with his second and final season particularly fruitful despite him being 35 years old, as he scored 21 times and laid on 20 assists on his way to winning the Ballon d'Or.

Lionel Messi

A man who was initially an impact sub, the versatile Christophe Jallet became increasingly important for PSG following his arrival in 2009, going on to make close to 150 appearances amid the transition to Qatari ownership. The right-back-cum-midfielder was renowned for his consistency and was named club captain by Carlo Ancelotti in 2012."Jallet is a player with great regularity. There is no tactical error, he is always focused, dynamic. I did not know Jallet but his performance has always been good. He is very professional," the Italian tactician said at the time.

Christophe Jallet

Ezequiel Lavezzi was a statement signing for PSG in 2012 as they landed him from Napoli at the peak of his powers. Although he struggled to settle initially, spending a long spell out of the team, he would eventually become a reliable performer and help PSG to a first Ligue 1 title in 19 years.However, Lavezzi endured a less productive second season where he was often substituted and eventually fell down the pecking order before leaving in 2016, with the sense that he was more popular off the pitch then he was on it. Nevertheless, he will be fondly remembered by the fans.

Ezequiel Lavezzi

Gianluigi Donnarumma certainly has the potential to climb this list, with the 25-year-old still short of his peak. It was seen as a huge coup when PSG convinced the Italian to leave AC Milan in 2021, but the move was initially a slow burn as he battled to be No.1 with Keylor Navas.He has finally established himself as first choice, although he perhaps hasn't hit the heights expected of him. Nevertheless, Donnarumma - an astute shot-stopper - has kept clean sheets in a quarter of the matches he has played for Les Parisiens. He looks set to be a reliable No.1 for years to come.

Gianluigi Donnarumma

If you've ever wondered <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/from-ligue-1-to-superstardom-ronaldinho/a923gay7xll91e31c1df43klh" target="_blank">where Ronaldinho cut his teeth in European football, the answer is PSG</a>. The club was the sensation's first outside of Brazil as he signed from boyhood side Gremio in 2001 for what ended up being less than £3m.Although he made a slow start and clashed with then-manager Luis Fernandez over his lifestyle, Ronaldinho would eventually start demonstrating his world-class potential with his repertoire of outrageous flicks and tricks, as his showboating grabbed the attention of the football world. Although inconsistent, he was still impactful - making 42 goal contributions in 77 appearances before Barcelona came calling in 2003.

Ronaldinho

A man who would go on to become something of an unsung hero for both Manchester United and Real Madrid, it was at PSG that Gabriel Heinze made a name for himself in Europe - the club he made the most appearances for (132) throughout his career.The no-nonsense defender was a key man for Les Parisiens across three years in Paris and an ever-present at the back. He was a central figure in the 2004 Coupe de France triumph, although he would miss the final. His performances earned him a move to United that summer.

Gabriel Heinze

The man so good they named him twice. Ridiculously enough, PSG had Jay-Jay Okocha and Ronaldinho in the same team in 2001-02, although the former was just coming to the end of his time in the French capital before going on to become <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/what-is-a-barclaysman/blt8d5e63a71ebf2634" target="_blank">a certified 'Barclaysman'</a> at Bolton. He reckons he deserves some credit for the Brazilian's development: "Ronaldinho tried to imitate some of my skills and dribbles," Okocha told On Time Sports.<a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/jay-jay-okocha-nigeria-fantasy-footballer-wowed-ronaldinho-skills/blt7db7cc1bcc8e807c" target="_blank">Okocha was PSG's original noughties entertainer</a>, endearing himself to the Parc des Princes faithful with his outrageous catalogue of skills and dazzling dribbling ability. But despite arriving from Fenerbahce for a hefty transfer fee, he would leave in 2002 after four years and 113 appearances with just an Intertoto Cup in his trophy cabinet.

Jay-Jay Okocha

One of the first signings of the QSI era in Paris, Javier Pastore would become a fan favourite despite his problems with injury. The tricky attacking midfielder scored 16 goals in his first season at PSG to endear himself to the fans - numbers he wouldn't be able to replicate, although he did contribute 17 assists in 2014-15.Incessant niggling injuries and PSG's big spending on players in similar positions ultimately took their toll, but the Argentine will always be remembered fondly by the fanbase for his effortless class and guile.

Javier Pastore

Amid all the big-name arrivals following the Qatari-backed takeover of PSG, the ideal situation was surely to have the cream of the academy crop playing alongside the stellar signings. Many, many graduates have been sold off down the years, but ball-playing, tough-tackling defender Presnel Kimpembe has held his own.Now 29, the centre-back has racked up more than 250 appearances for his boyhood club, despite struggling with injuries, and has acted as a beacon of hope for others coming through Les Parisiens youth setup, with many more now part of the first-team picture as the club heads in a new direction.

Presnel Kimpembe

Snapped up from the Scudetto-winning Inter side of 2021, Achraf Hakimi has enhanced his reputation as one of the best attacking full-backs in the business in Paris.A near ever-present, he immediately established himself as a key player and he has made 37 goal contributions in his 128 appearances to date despite nominally being a defender. He's plied his trade at Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid and Inter, but he seems most at home at PSG.

Achraf Hakimi

The official Ligue 1 website sums it up quite nicely when describing Maxwell: a quiet legend. The left-back retired at PSG after five seasons of loyal service to the club, helping them to the Ligue 1 title in each of those campaigns (as well as a host of cup triumphs) except the last, and remarkably becoming the most decorated club footballer of all time.A reliable figure in defence, he made more than 200 appearances and became a club legend for his likeability, contributing a handy 25 assists and 13 goals in that time. The Brazilian was held in such high regard that he would return to the club, currently serving as assistant sporting director.

Maxwell

PSG's treatment of Keylor Navas will always be something of a mystery, but for a time he was one of the best goalkeepers on the planet while plying his trade at Parc des Princes. Signed from Real Madrid in 2021, Navas was the prototype of the modern goalkeeper with his agility and shot-stopping combined with ball-playing ability.However, PSG's decision to go after AC Milan sensation Donnarumma in 2021 meant the two 'keepers had to role share before the Costa Rican was eventually forced out of the picture. Navas was given a hero's goodbye as he departed as a free agent in 2024.

Keylor Navas

One of the most underrated defensive midfielders of his generation, Thiago Motta was a stalwart of the post-takeover PSG sides - winning five league titles and countless cup competitions in six-and-a-half years in the French capital. Having signed for just €10m from Inter, he was an absolute bargain.The Italian oozed class despite being a midfield destroyer, hanging up his boots at Parc des Princes in 2018 after making more than 230 appearances for Les Parisiens - significantly more games than he played anywhere else in a glittering career.

Thiago Motta

Arriving among the first wave of QSI signings in 2011 for just €8m, Blaise Matuidi would prove to be a roaring success in Paris as he became a key part of the midfield alongside Motta. An all-action player with endless energy, Matuidi had a nifty habit of coming up clutch for PSG - bagging big goals against the likes of Lyon, Marseille and Barcelona (twice) down the years.The Frenchman quickly became a fan favourite and he repaid that support with close to 300 tireless displays, 33 goals and 29 assists. He would win 16 honours in his time with the club before joining Juventus in 2017.

Blaise Matuidi

One of the greatest wingers to ever grace the game, Angel Di Maria spent the largest chunk of his career with PSG, where he managed a, quite frankly, ridiculous 212 goal contributions in 295 appearances for Les Parisiens. He made a flying start after his ill-fated Manchester United spell, with 40 of those goal involvements coming in his first season.Di Maria remained a consistent performer until the latter part of his seven-year stay in Paris, causing all sorts of problems with his dribbling ability, crossing and long-range shooting predominantly from the right flank. He became a first favourite, thanks in no small part to a host of clutch performances - including in the 2019-20 Champions League semi-finals, when he scored and provided two assists.

Angel Di Maria

Still only 31 years old, Marco Verratti dedicated the very best years of his career to PSG, spending more than a decade at Parc des Princes and establishing himself as one of the finest defensive midfielders around.Endearing himself to the fans by biting into challenges and picking up more than his fair share of yellow cards while still oozing class, the Italian was a lynchpin of the side throughout the 2010s and beyond, racking up 416 outings to rank second in the club's all-time list of appearance-makers. Verratti finally moved on in 2023, with no fewer than 22 major trophies to his name.

Marco Verratti

PSG's pre-QSI era hero, Pauleta was their main marksman in the 2000s before the big hitters arrived. The former Portugal international plundered 109 goals in what was a relatively fallow era for the club, becoming their all-time record goal-scorer before eventually being surpassed by some of the new ownership's big-money purchases.He finished as Ligue 1's top scorer on three occasions, loyally sticking with the middling Parisiens for five years despite transfer interest from elsewhere. He will always be considered a hero at Parc des Princes, with his goal ending a six-year trophy drought in the 2004 French Cup final, also scoring in the Coupe de la Ligue final in 2008.

Pauleta

The man who has become 'Mr. PSG' over the course of more than a decade in the French capital, Marquinhos will be considered one of the very best signings in the history of the club when all is said and done.The Brazilian has emerged as a top-level centre-back and has captained the side for the past five years, coming up with the goods in some crucial moments, such as the 2020 Champions League semi-finals, before PSG lost out in the showpiece. He's hit 450 appearances and counting, meaning he has played for the club more times than anyone else.

Marquinhos

Low-key one of PSG's biggest statement signings, Thiago Silva helped to propel the club to becoming the force it is today in European football. A club legend wherever he's played, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-au/news/thiago-silva-greatest-ever-psg-president-chelsea-move/17leg08q04z6n1tjxumhzurvyd" target="_blank">his status is no different in Paris</a>.O Monstro collected a plethora of individual and team honours with countless characteristically monstrous performances in the heart of defence, playing more than 300 games and winning seven Ligue 1 titles as captain. The Brazilian icon was one of the best centre-backs on the planet throughout his time in Paris.

Thiago Silva

PSG have been blessed with some serious attacking talent in the 21st century, and Edinson Cavani was among the very best. A dead-eye in front of goal, his 200 strikes in just 300 appearances rank him second in the list of the club's all-time record scorers.Always prolific, his best season came in 2016-17 as he bagged a ridiculous 35 league goals in 36 league games, adding 14 more in the cup competitions. Like so many of his team-mates and those who have played for the club since the Qatari-backed takeover, Cavani left with innumerable winners' medals and as a firm fan favourite.

Edinson Cavani

A man who could very easily have been top of this list in another timeline, Neymar is one of the greatest players ever to wear the famous dark blue shirt despite <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/neymar-admits-hell-play-with-kylian-mbappe-ex-psg-star-sends-warning-brazilian-colleagues-real-madrid/blt921deb6922f4e13d" target="_blank">his acrimonious exit in 2023</a>.The Brazilian was the statement signing of the QSI era, as he was <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/neymar-threw-away-barcelona-great-saudi-arabia-transfer-psg-failure/blt4b2702bdafc3f4b3" target="_blank">somehow lured away from Barcelona in 2017</a> by the prospect of being the main man at Parc des Princes, with PSG remarkably triggering his €222m (£185m/$241m) buyout clause.Although he would delight over the course of seven years with moments of individual brilliance, extraordinary flair and sublime goals, his time in Paris was ultimately marred by injuries and falling short of the overarching dream of winning the Champions League. He would leave for Al-Hilal in 2023 after his relationship with the club and its fans had soured, with 195 goal contributions in just 173 appearances to his name.

Neymar

The man who arguably launched PSG's superstar era as he drew the eyes of the world, Zlatan <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-sa/news/ibrahimovic-i-put-france-on-the-map/fxkgc36ssy941xgy3p9yvyio6" target="_blank">Ibrahimovic 'arrived a king and left a legend'</a> as he built up a catalogue of outrageous goals as long as your arm in the French capital.He was top scorer in Ligue 1 on three occasions, scoring a ridiculous 38 times in the league in his final season in France, during which he also became the club's all-time record goal-scorer. The Swede ended his time there with 156 goals and 56 assists in just 180 appearances, claiming the league title in each of his four campaigns.Signed from AC Milan for as little as €20m (£17m/$22m), Zlatan is comfortably the best-value signing in PSG's modern history and is a bonafide legend at Parc des Princes.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

No.1 spot was always going to be fiercely contested as a result of the elite talent PSG have had at their disposal over the past quarter of a century, but Kylian Mbappe is the man who has delivered most in terms of goals, longevity and consistency. Boasting searing pace and devastating finishing ability, he is the deadliest forward French football has ever seen.Mbappe's numbers in a PSG shirt are obscene: France's captain plundered 256 goals in 308 appearances to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/history-kylian-mbapp-psg-all-time-goalscoring-record-nantes/bltc7e99db905e61012" target="_blank">become the club's all-time top scorer</a> ahead of Cavani by a margin of 56 - a mark that will be ridiculously difficult to match or surpass. His 108 assists should not be sniffed at, either.However, like Neymar, he was <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/kylian-mbappe-psg-career-failure-without-champions-league/blt489145b83e10053b" target="_blank">unable to deliver that elusive Champions League</a> and <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/kylian-mbappe-psg-football-fairy-tale-descended-farcical-soap-opera/blt0101036ba8833454" target="_blank">his relationship with the club deteriorated as he headed towards an inevitable free transfer to Real Madrid</a>, having flirted with the move for some time. Nevertheless, anyone associated with PSG would argue he was worth every cent of the €180m (£150m/$195m) they paid Monaco for his services in 2017. He left with 17 pieces of major silverware to his name.

Kylian Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe, Zlatan Ibrahimovic & the 25 best PSG players of the 21st century so far - ranked | Goal.com

GOAL ranks the best 25 PSG players of the 21st century, including Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Lionel Messi