By The Clint -
December 8th 2009 @ 2:17am
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Loading ...The top ten footballers of the decade
It’s that time of the decade where we look back at sport over the last ten years and ponder the best we’ve seen. This is my list of the top 10 footballers over the last decade.
I have taken into consideration individual performance and success, team success at club and international level, as well as overall influence and talent in the world of football.
Leadership was also a contributing factor.
It was a daunting process, with a lot of the best having injury and form issues in the last 10 years.
But here it is.
10 – Fernando Torres (Spain)
Starting in 2001 as a 17 year old, Fernando Torres looked all class from the get-go for his then club Atletico Madrid. He was scoring at a decent rate in the La Liga as a teenager, and then into his early twenties. But he really kicked off when, in 2007, he was transferred to English giants Liverpool. Since then, he has shown that he is one of the top strikers in the world.
9 – Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine)
Even after a torrid time with Chelsea, Andriy Shevchenko still makes it into my top 10. Shevchenko’s first half of the decade was sublime, with AC Milan scoring over 100 goals, even with the club in a defensive minded league. He was a huge part of the success at the San Siro between 2002 and 2005. On top of that, he lead Ukraine to a World Cup finals birth in 2006.
8 – Frank Lampard (England)
Frank Lampard has been the cornerstone of Chelsea’s recent success. Even not being captain, he still is a huge leader at Stamford Bridge. Lampard has also scored over 100 goals this decade. As a midfielder, this is a great feat.
7 – Fabio Cannavaro (Italy)
The two best fullbacks of the decade were John Terry and the Italian great Fabio Cannavaro. There is no question I had to have at least one defender in my top 10 and this man was the best. He was the only fullback to win FIFA world player of the year and the Ballon d’Or this decade.
6 – Lionel Messi (Argentina)
If this man played 2 or 3 more seasons this decade, he could well have finished number 1. Even still, at 22, he has achieved so much at club level.
5 – Zinedine Zidane (France)
Quite simply, one of the greatest players of all time. And quite possibly, the player of the decade last decade. Zidane was an absolute midfield maestro that could dominate any opponent, create chances, and even score himself. Alongside Christiano Ronaldo, he one of my favourite midfielders to watch.
4 – Kaka (Brazil)
Kaka was always going to be in my top 5. Since crossing over from Sao Paulo to AC Milan in 2003, he has proven that he really is one of the world’s finest. Even now at Real Madrid, he’s adapted perfectly fine to Spanish football. And has already notched up over 70 caps for Brazil.
3 – Ronaldinho (Brazil)
Ronnie, at his best, is one of the world’s best. But a form slump over the last couple of seasons has cost him the number 1 or 2 spot. However, he still one of the greatest this decade.
2 – Christiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
An absolute masterclass and equal best in the world with Messi. But if you ask him, he’ll tell you that he is probably better than Lionel Messi. Ronaldo will also be a contender next decade if he stays fit.
1 – Thierry Henry (France)
Despite Henry’s infamous handball recently against Ireland, he wins my player of the decade. I know not many will agree with this, but the reason I have elected Henry as number one is his goal-scoring dominance, brilliance, consistency, and leadership ability. Henry has stayed virtually injury free for the whole decade and has barely had a form slump.
So that’s my top 10. Let me know what you think.
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(18)
scott b said | December 8th 2009 @ 3:20am | Report comment
Gianluigi Buffon has been much better than no. 8 -10 , to say the least
Juventus
Serie A: 2001–02, 2002–03
Supercoppa Italiana: 2002, 2003
Serie B: 2006–07
UEFA Champions League: 2003 Runner-up
International
UEFA Under-21 European Championship: 1996
FIFA World Cup: 2006
Individual
Bravo Award: 1999
UEFA Champions League Most Valuable Player: 2003
UEFA Club Football Awards Best Goalkeeper: 2003
FIFA 100
Yashin Award: 2006
2006 FIFA World Cup All-Star Team
European Footballer of the Year (Silver Ball): 2006
Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year: 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008
Onze d’Or (Best Goalkeeper): 2003, 2006
UEFA Team of the Year: 2003, 2004, 2006
FIFPro World XI: 2006, 2007
IFFHS Best Goalkeeper: 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007
UEFA Euro 2008 Team of the Tournament
The clint said | December 8th 2009 @ 6:54am | Report comment
I did have an extended list of close misses which buffon was in, but was edited out on publish. Also there was a list of achievements and awards for each player i elected. Also some of the achievements you pointed out for buffon came in the nineties. But still he and Khan were by far the best keepers with buffon being best. I just went with outfield players this time round. However you are dead right i probally should have had buffon ahead of torres. I just enjoy watching torres at full flight. But i still think shevchenko and lampard are worthy particularly andriy as he took ukraine from zero’s to hero’s.
Wayne of Windale said | December 8th 2009 @ 6:11am | Report comment
“The two best fullbacks of the decade were John Terry and the Italian great Fabio Cannavaro”. Possibly. But for me, Nesta and Maldini were the best defendersof the decade.
The legacy of Maldini as a footballer is staggering compared to plastic fantastic fun boys like Ronaldinho and Torres.
The clint said | December 8th 2009 @ 6:38am | Report comment
Nesta for me just missed the 10 while i think maldini would be in my list for the 90’s. What got Cannavaro the nod was being the only defender for the decade to win fifa world player of the year and a ballon d’Or.
The clint said | December 8th 2009 @ 7:01am | Report comment
Also Henry was already inducted in the English football hall of fame in 2008. Not bad for a 32 year old still playing. Also been in top 3 of ballon d’Or twice. His whole career is what it is because of this decade hes had.
Colin N said | December 8th 2009 @ 7:22am | Report comment
“The two best fullbacks of the decade were John Terry and the Italian great Fabio Cannavaro. There is no question I had to have at least one defender in my top 10 and this man was the best. He was the only fullback to win FIFA world player of the year and the Ballon d’Or this decade.”
Fullbacks?
Wayne of Windale said | December 8th 2009 @ 7:35am | Report comment
“Fullbacks” is a generally accepted “soccer” term for aussies.
Colin N said | December 8th 2009 @ 7:38am | Report comment
For centre-backs?
Mattay said | December 8th 2009 @ 7:45am | Report comment
That’s what I thought too. Fullbacks are your left back/right back. Roberto Carlos etc.
Fisher Price said | December 8th 2009 @ 11:38am | Report comment
For people who don’t know what they’re talking about.
Mattay said | December 8th 2009 @ 7:44am | Report comment
How can Fernando Torres be in your top 10 of the decade when now, at his peak, he barely registers in the top 10 players going around at the moment???
He’s never played at a top club, he enjoyed success at the Euros with Spain (yet I see no Greek players in your list??), and um … that’s it really.
Sammy Eto’o should be there. Even the real Ronaldo, Essien, Makelele, Totti and Henrik Larsson have greater rights of being in your list than Torres. Lillian Thuram, Ryan Giggs, Van Nistelrooy, Vieira, Ibrahimovich, etc.
Also, I can appreciate why you would have Henry as number one, but then not having Zidane in the top 2 is an outrage. In 20 years time, everyone will still be talking about Zidane.
Mxjosh said | December 8th 2009 @ 8:40am | Report comment
Calm down Mattay, these were his tope 10 players not yours. I agree that the real ronaldo should be in there however
Mattay said | December 8th 2009 @ 12:05pm | Report comment
It’s my right as an Australian to be outraged by trivial things.
marinator4LYF said | December 8th 2009 @ 4:19pm | Report comment
too right mate!!
Killer_Tomatoes said | December 8th 2009 @ 11:37am | Report comment
John Terry and Cannavaro aren’t fullbacks, a fullback is a left or right back. They’re centre halves, centre backs or central defenders.
The clint said | December 8th 2009 @ 1:07pm | Report comment
My apologies i wrote this piece late last night, and i feel ridiculous for writing fullbacks instead centre half haha… This is why you shouldnt drink and write!! And as for torres i love watching him play and he carries liverpool with stevie g… However i think totti, buffon and real ronaldo should take that spot now im thinkin properly and not rushing to go to bed. And there is only 10 spots, if i did 25 every name mentioned would be there just about. It wasnt easy.
Hammer said | December 8th 2009 @ 1:23pm | Report comment
“The two best fullbacks of the decade were John Terry and the Italian great Fabio Cannavaro .. ”
Ignoring the already pointed out blip – but John Terry best of the decade ?? you’ve got to be kidding – the bloke is nothing but a lumper …. if it wasn’t for Carvalho doing the work of 2 men and covering for him – Chelsea would have been shipping goals hand over fist …
passer said | December 13th 2009 @ 11:53pm | Report comment
Where’s my Alien Ronaldo?