SOCCER · 6 months ago

Top 10 Players in the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup Ranked

TJ Inman

Host · Writer

10. Keylor Navas - Goalkeeper - Costa Rica
Call it a legacy pick, that's fair. Keylor Navas is probably no longer the best goalie in this region, but he's a legendary figure for Costa Rica and is being called upon again in this Gold Cup. His manager, Miguel Herrera, brought him out of retirement, and he'll need to be vintage Navas to help an aging Costa Rica squad contend.

Navas is probably the best goalkeeper in the history of CONCACAF, and he'll take maybe his last ride for his country in this tournament.
1. Raul Jimenez - Forward - Mexico
Power Ranking the 16 Teams in the CONCACAF Gold Cup

Raul Jimenez is a striker for Fulham who has turned into a bona fide star for the Mexican National Team. He was the best player in the 2024-2025 CONCACAF Nations League, leading Mexico to that title and leading the tournament in scoring. He has 110 caps and 39 goals for the El Tri.
2. Jonathan David - Forward - Canada
Predicting the CONCACAF Gold Cup Bracket, Group Stage to Champ

Canada is without arguably the best player in the region, as Alphonso Davies will miss the tournament due to injury. However, they should have star striker Jonathan David, fresh off another strong season in Ligue 1 in France for Lyon.

David is a free agent and is reportedly close to signing with a new club, but he's expected to participate in the Gold Cup as the leader of a strong Canadian attack. David will partner with Promise David to give opposing defenses major problems.
3. Tyler Adams - Midfielder - United States
The most important player for the United States is central midfielder Tyler Adams. Adams is finally healthy and had a stellar campaign for Bournemouth in the English Premier League. Adams is the rare veteran who will take part in this Gold Cup for the Americans.

The only concern is a knock that kept Adams out of the recent friendly against Switzerland. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino is hopeful Adams will be ready for the Gold Cup.
4. Edson Alvarez - Midfielder - Mexico
Edson Alvarez operates in the heart of the Mexico midfield, and at 27, he is in the prime of his career. Alvarez plays for West Ham United, and he's been a mainstay for Mexico since 2017. He has 86 appearances for the national team and five goals as a stellar defensive midfielder.
5. Ismael Diaz - Forward - Panama
Ismael Diaz is not a well-known club star, but he is the leader for Panama and has a proven track record of scoring goals in CONCACAF play. He is now 28 years old and has scored 44 goals for the Panama senior team, including four goals in the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Panama will be a tricky out and could make a run deep in the tournament.
6. Santiago Gimenez - Forward - Mexico
AC Milan forward Santiago Gimenez is the future star for Mexico as a striker, but his time might arrive this summer. He could have represented Argentina internationally, but chose to play for Mexico, and scored the winning goal against Panama in the final of the 2023 Gold Cup.

He had five goals for AC Milan this past season and has five goals at the senior national team level. He'll partner with Raul Jimenez to form the tournament's best attack.
7. Malik Tillman - Midfielder - United States
Malik Tillman is an attacking midfielder who will be under increased scrutiny during this Gold Cup with the absence of players Tim Weah, Gio Reyna, and Christian Pulisic.

The United States needs Tillman to turn his excellent league form with PSV Eindhoven into good play with the national team. He has yet to open his scoring account for the USMNT, and that needs to change during this tournament.
8. Alistair Johnston - Defender - Canada
Alistair Johnston is not Canada's best player, but he is vitally important if the Canadians are to succeed in this Gold Cup. Defense is Canada's weak spot, and that certainly is not helped by the absence of star Alphonso Davies.

Enter Celtic star Alistair Johnston, the starting right back for Canada. Johnston is in good form, and he'll need to be a leader and rock at the back against a number of good attackers that Canada will see later in the tournament.
9. Chris Richards - Defender - United States
Chris Richards is a lock to start in the middle of the United States' defense. He had a fantastic club season with Crystal Palace, helping the Eagles win the FA Cup for the first time in history. He's also the only sure thing on the backline for the USMNT right now.
10. Keylor Navas - Goalkeeper - Costa Rica
Call it a legacy pick, that's fair. Keylor Navas is probably no longer the best goalie in this region, but he's a legendary figure for Costa Rica and is being called upon again in this Gold Cup. His manager, Miguel Herrera, brought him out of retirement, and he'll need to be vintage Navas to help an aging Costa Rica squad contend.

Navas is probably the best goalkeeper in the history of CONCACAF, and he'll take maybe his last ride for his country in this tournament.
1. Raul Jimenez - Forward - Mexico
Power Ranking the 16 Teams in the CONCACAF Gold Cup

Raul Jimenez is a striker for Fulham who has turned into a bona fide star for the Mexican National Team. He was the best player in the 2024-2025 CONCACAF Nations League, leading Mexico to that title and leading the tournament in scoring. He has 110 caps and 39 goals for the El Tri.

Top 10 Players in the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup Ranked

EDITOR'S PICKS

For the Best of SportsGrid, Grab the App

BETTING NEWS

FUTURES

Sports Betting

Sportsbook Promos

Social Casinos