The Asian soccer players’ existence in top-flight European soccer is continuously growing, thanks to their high level of work rates and displays. Some of the best Asian soccer players are currently plying their trades with the best soccer clubs across the world, especially in Europe.
Soccer in Asia is very engaging, and incessantly emerging to be popular among global soccer fans. As a result, there is an under-the-arm competition among the top Asian Soccer players who are leading on every front in their respective playing fields. On that note, let’s understand the top best Asian Soccer players right now.
Ranking Factors
- Consistency
- Goals & Assists contribution
- Performances
- Influence in major tournaments
List of the 10 Best Asian Soccer Players Right Now
| Rank | Player name | Nation | Current Club |
| 1 | Son Heung-min | South Korea | Tottenham Hotspur |
| 2 | Takefusa Kubo | Japan | Real Sociedad |
| 3 | Kim Min-Jae | South Korea | Bayern Munich |
| 4 | Lee Kang-in | South Korea | Paris Saint-Germain |
| 5 | Kaoru Mitoma | Japan | Brighton |
| 6 | Sardar Azmoun | Iran | Al-Ahli |
| 7 | Mehdi Taremi | Iran | Inter Milan |
| 8 | Kyogo Furuhashi | Japan | Celtic FC |
| 9 | Wataru Endo | Japan | Liverpool |
| 10 | Salem Al-Dawsari | Saudi Arabia | Al-Nassr |
10. Salem Al-Dawsari (Saudi Arabia)
Remember Saudi Arabia’s historical victory over Argentina in the 2022 FIFA soccer World Cup! Salem Al-Dawsari was the chief architect behind that famous achievement in the country’s own backyard as his thunderous strike sealed the deal for the Asian nation. The 2022 Asian Player of the Year for the players playing in the continent led A-Hilal to the Saudi Pro League title by edging Al Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo with 14 goals. One of the best Asian soccer players ever, Al-Dawsari is going strong again this season with three goals and seven assists in the league.
| Player name | Salem Al-Dawsari |
| League matches (2024/25) | 14 |
| No of goals | 3 |
| Assists | 7 |
9. Wataru Endo (Japan)
The next name on the list of the best Asian soccer players right now is Wataru Endo, a household name in Japan’s soccer community. The defensive midfielder holds the distinction of showing leadership skills in the middle and it does not come as a surprise that Liverpool bought the young Japanese soccer star in 2023 for £16.5 million including add-ons. Since joining the Reds, the captain of Japan’s international men’s team has adapted beautifully in midfield, providing a much-needed balance in maintaining the defensive line alongside the Reds’ high-pressing attacks. Currently, there are not many Asian players who understand the in-game tactics so well and deliver even coming from the bench most of the time.
| Player name | Wataru Endo |
| League matches (2024/25) | 8 |
| No of goals | 0 |
| Assists | 0 |
Also read: Top 10 Best Asian Soccer Players of All-Time
8. Kyogo Furuhashi (Japan)
Another Japanese superstar in this fray is Celtic FC’s Kyogo Furuhashi. The former Vissel Kobe striker has been a fruitful signing for the Scottish outfit since his arrival in 2021 on a £4.8 million deal. A consistent performer for the Hoops, Furuhashi has already netted 74 goals for his club in just 135 games, with seven of them coming against Rangers FC, the arch-rivals of Celtic FC. Despite not being a regular for Japan, Furuhashi has already been termed as a legend of the Scottish club by the fans.
| Player name | Kyogo Furuhashi |
| League matches (2024/25) | 22 |
| No of goals | 10 |
| Assists | 3 |
7. Mehdi Taremi (Iran)
Mehdi Taremi, the scoring trailblazer of Iran, is one of the finest and best Asian Soccer players currently, given his impressive presence on the field in recent years. The former FC Porto striker came to Inter Milan in 2024 after striking 91 times for the Portuguese outfit in 182 games. The professional forward, who won the Iranian Player of the Year award for two consecutive years in 2016 and 2017, has already netted 49 international goals for his country. One of his best performances on the international level was against England in the Qatar World Cup where he scored a brace in a 2-6 loss.
| Player name | Mehdi Taremi |
| League matches (2024/25) | 15 |
| No of goals | 0 |
| Assists | 1 |
6. Sardar Azmoun (Iran)
Sardar Azmoun is probably one of the most unfortunate Asian Soccer players who chose a wrong playing arena for far too long. The former Zenit St. Petersburg striker spent over nine years in Russia before joining Bayer Leverkusen in 2024. Azmoun scored 52 goals in just 79 appearances for his last Russian team, but couldn’t find enough rhythm to get the acceleration in Germany. The Iranian forward is currently flying high in Saudi Pro League with Al-Ahli as he has already netted eight goals in just nine matches this season.
| Player name | Sardar Azmoun |
| League matches (2024/25) | 9 |
| No of goals | 8 |
| Assists | 2 |
5. Kaoru Mitoma (Japan)
The attacking midfielder of Brighton and Hove Albion, Kaoru Mitoma has seen a meteoric rise in his career after moving to the English Premier League club. The 27-year-old attacker began his career at Kawasaki Frontale in 2018 but started to excel in England. The Brighton fans will always keep him in their heart for his standout performance against Liverpool in the 2022-23 FA Cup. Mitoma has recently developed a keen interest in bailing his country Japan out of difficult situations in major international tournaments, thanks to his quick-thinking ability and quick feet.
| Player name | Kaoru Mitoma |
| League matches (2024/25) | 22 |
| No of goals | 5 |
| Assists | 3 |
4. Lee Kang-in (South Korea)
The South Korean versatile forward is not only the current best midfielder in his country but also one of the best Asian Soccer players right now, thanks to his impressive displays for Paris Saint-Germain at a young age. Coming through the ranks of Valencia, Lee Kang-in came to Paris for just €23 million. Despite being involved in some controversial incidents during the last Asia Cup, the winger has no shortage of talent to be in his prime. He has already racked up six goals and three assists for PSG this season, having hinted at a long calendar year ahead.
| Player name | Lee Kang-in |
| League matches (2024/25) | 18 |
| No of goals | 6 |
| Assists | 3 |
3. Kim Min-Jae (South Korea)
In 2023, Inter Milan won the Serie A title, first time after 23 years, and Kim Min-Jae was pivotal in that historical campaign of the Italian club. The “monster” at the back joined Bayern Munich in 2023 on an expensive deal, making him the most costly Asian Soccer player ever.
Strong physical attributes, fast pace and agility make Kim a great asset in the defense for the Bavarians and South Korea. The 2022 Asian Soccer player of the year is certainly head and shoulders above other defenders in the continent.
| Player name | Kim Min-jae |
| League matches (2024/25) | 17 |
| No of goals | 1 |
| Assists | 0 |
2. Takefusa Kubo (Japan)
Takefusa Kubo was once hailed as the “next Lionel Messi” at a tender age due to his incredible performances. The Japanese winger, who has the ability to play up front and in the wide attacking midfield, can catch the attention of the world when the ball is at his feet. After failing to make inroads at Real Madrid, Kubo, one of the best Asian Soccer players, is enjoying his life at Real Sociedad where he is truly exploiting his attacking talents.
| Player name | Takefusa Kubo |
| League matches (2024/25) | 20 |
| No of goals | 4 |
| Assists | 0 |
1. Son Heung-min (South Korea)
The legend of Tottenham Hotspur, Son Heung-min is one of the best Asian Soccer players in history, if not the best ever. The former Bayer Leverkusen attacker has already featured in more than 500 games in his entire club career, having scored 166 goals for the North London club so far. After Harry Kane’s departure for Bayern Munich, Son took charge at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to bring glory for the club’s fans. In 2022, the South Korean won the Premier League golden boot, setting a standard for other attackers in the club. Despite not winning any major trophy with Spurs, Son Heung-min is already at the top of this ranking, thanks to a consistent scoring record.
| Player name | Son Heung-min |
| League matches (2024/25) | 19 |
| No of goals | 6 |
| Assists | 6 |
Also Read: Top 10 best strikers in the world 2025 – Current
FAQ’s
Who is the current best Asian Soccer player?
Son Heung-min of South Korea is the best Asian Soccer player right now.
Who is the most influential Asian Soccer player right now?
Son Heung-min is probably the most influential Asian Soccer player right now.
What is soccer called in Asia?
Soccer is called football in Asia just like Europe.
Which Asian country has the highest number of soccer fans?
India has the highest number of soccer fans surpassing the previous record holder China, according to GlobalData.
Who is the richest Asian soccer player ?
The richest Asia soccer player is Faiq Bolkiah with an estimated net worth of $20 billion.