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Obviously when making a list of this sort one has to be subjective. I did approach it with apprehension as I’m likely to get slated from all directions. However, I have tried to be as objective as possible.
I have done this by providing a loose criteria for selection.
The criteria is the influence a player has on a team, how important he is to that team, his ability in his position, his skill and also his achievements.
All the scores I have given are completely based on opinion and, as such, don’t give me too hard a time about it.
I wanted to do a top ten but there were players I just could not leave out. However, I did have to make the cut somewhere and I’ve listed my ‘Honourable Mentions’ at the bottom of the list.
Do you agree? Great but boring. Do you disagree? Of course you do. Here it is:
1. Lionel Messi
The best player on the best team in the world. The unpredictable Argentinian is a brilliant dribbler, good passer, deadly finisher and almost always makes the right decisions. So difficult to dispossess, he dominates defences with ease. Beaten by Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008 to both the World and European Player of the year awards, expect things to change in 2009.
Influence/importance: 5
Ability/skill: 5
Achievements: 5 (Winner-Champions League, Copa del Rey, La Liga; Champions League top scorer; Runner up FIFA world player of the Year and Ballon D’or)
Overall: 15
2. Cristiano Ronaldo
Very unlucky not to nab the top spot. Combines unbelievable dribbling and close control with raw power; he is the prototype of the modern winger. His tally of 42 goal in season 07-08 playing as a winger won him the golden boot and this year he lead United to the title and Champions League final.
Influence/importance: 5
Ability/skill: 5
Achievements: 4.5 (Winner-English Premier League; Runner-up-Champions League; Current FIFA World Player of the Year; Ballon D’or winner)
Overall: 14.5
3. Steven Gerrard
I don’t think it’s unfair to say that Liverpool would be nowhere near the team they are without him. A clever passer with pace and a thunderous shot, Gerrard seems to lift his game even higher in important games when his team is under pressure. Squeezes in ahead of Xavi and Eto’o because of his unbelievable importance to his club and the intangibles he brings to his team.
Influence/importance: 5
Ability/skill: 5
Achievements: 4 (Runner up-English Premier League)
Overall: 14
4. Xavi Hernandez
A key player in Barca’s treble winning season and Spain’s Euro 2008 triumph. His partnership with Iniesta has become the best in the world and that was on show during the Champions League Final. His passing and ability to retain the ball were vital in his sides flowing football.
Influence/importance: 4
Ability/skill: 5
Achievements: 5 (Winner-Euro 2008, Champions League, Copa del Rey, La Liga, Euro 2008; Euro 2008 player of the tournament)
Overall: 14
5. Samuel Eto’o
Barcelona’s top scorer, his early goal in the Champions League final allowed Barca to dictate the game, which is when they play their best football. Not just there for goals, his work rate and willingness to run was key to Barca’s successful high pressing game.
Influence/importance: 4.5
Ability/skill: 4.5
Achievements: 5 (Winner-Champions League, runner up European Golden Shoe and ‘Pichichi’)
Overall: 14
6. Andres Iniesta
Another Champions League and Euro 2008 winner, he formed a dominant midfield partnership with Xavi. His clever passing, quick feet and good finishing make him one of the world’s most dangerous midfielders.
Influence/importance: 4
Ability/skill: 4.5
Achievements: 5 (Winner-Champions League, Copa del Rey, La Liga, Euro 2008; Man of the Match Champion’s League Final)
Overall: 13.5
7. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
A brilliant and unpredictable talent has been accused of being erratic and inconsistent. But when he’s good, he’s very, very good. His pace, dribbling, trickery and finishing make him a deadly and entertaining striker. His 6’5” frame also made him a good aerial option for Inter in 2009.
Influence/importance: 4.5
Ability/skill: 5
Achievements: 4 (Winner-Serie A; Serie A top scorer)
Overall: 13.5
8. Fernando Torres
Arguably Liverpool’s best signing in decades, also their most expensive. His debut season at Liverpool brought him 33 goals, beaten only by Ronaldo’s freakish haul. His speed, touch and uncanny ability to find the net combined with his strength and toughness make him ideally suited to the Premier League. His combination with Steven Gerrard came close to winning Liverpool the title in 2009, despite time out with injury and the comparative weakness of the Liverpool squad. Scored the winner in the Euro 2008 Final.
Influence/importance: 4.5
Ability/skill: 5
Achievements: 4.5 (Winner-Euro 2008; Runner up-English Premier League)
Overall: 13.5
9. Wayne Rooney
Showed how important he is to United all throughout the 2008-09 season. His tireless running and work ethic combined with great ball control and a powerful shot mean that he can dominate matches on his own. His attacking play often suffered at the expense of Ronaldo, who he selflessly did extra running for and played out on the left for, but he was still able to contribute a respectable 20 goals. Expect Rooney to take centre stage at United this season as they are relying on him more than ever.
Influence/importance: 4.5
Ability/skill: 4.5
Achievements: 4.5 (Winner-English Premier League; Runner up-Champions League)
Overall: 13.5
10. Iker Casillas
His freakish ability to keep the ball out of the net has saved Madrid time and time again. He has been a regular in the Real Madrid first team since 1999, going virtually unchallenged since then. He has also been first choice for Spain since 2002 and became captain when Raul was left out of the squad for Euro 2008, where he lead them to victory. His incredible reflexes, agility and leadership make him almost unbeatable and arguably the best ‘keeper in the world.
Influence/importance: 4.5
Ability/skill: 4.5
Achievements: 4.5 (Winner-Euro 2008; Runner up-La Liga)
Overall: 13.5
11. Kaka
Despite a very unsuccessful season with Milan, Kaka is still one of the best players in the world. He is a unique player because he brings qualities from both the Brazilian and European games. He combines the technical brilliance and flair of a Brazilian with the physical make-up of a European; he has height, strength and incredible speed. He combines this speed with wonderful ball control and great passing and finishing skills to be a very dangerous player. He will be vital for Madrid this season.
Influence/importance: 5 (at Milan)
Ability/skill: 5
Achievements: 3
Overall: 13
12. Rio Ferdinand
Possibly the best ball playing centre-back in the world, but his best qualities are his aerial presence, speed and reading of the game. Although he had a poor Champions League Final due to injury, throughout the year he showed great consistency and class in a successful domestic season. His partnership with Serbian Nemanja Vidic was as important to the 14 matches they went without conceding a goal as goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar.
Influence/importance: 4.5
Ability/skill: 4
Achievements: 4.5 (Winner-English Premier League; Runner up-Champions League)
Overall: 13
13. Nemanja Vidic
The Serbian has proved the perfect foil for Rio Ferdinand in United’s defence. Vidic brings his strong tackling, great physical presence, bravery and intimidation to the partnership that has become arguably the best centre-back pairing in the world. His aerial ability in both defence and at attacking set pieces has also been very valuable to United.
Influence/importance: 4.5
Ability/skill: 4
Achievements: 4.5
Overall: 13
14. Didier Drogba
Drogba is the complete striker. Whether he is running behind defenders, playing back to goal as a target man or dropping deep to run at defenders, Drogba can trouble any defence. This multi-functional ability has led to him being described as a strike partnership in one.
His amazing strength is perhaps his best quality, but he also has pace, a nice touch, good passing, aerial ability and a very powerful shot. Drogba has proved over the years that he is invaluable to Chelsea. They don’t look like the same team without him. Despite a drop in form early last season and an apparent attitude problem, Drogba remains one of the best strikers in the world.
Influence/importance: 4.5
Ability/skill: 5
Achievements: 3.5 (Winner-FA cup)
Overall: 13
15. Frank Lampard
Frank Lampard is one of Chelsea’s most important players. A very clever midfielder, he can dictate the pace of a game with his wonderful touch, vision and passing. He is also wonderful in the penalty box, always seems to know where the ball will fall and has a good shot. His new role at the point of a midfield diamond will bring out the best of his many skills.
Influence/importance: 4.5
Ability/skill: 4.5
Achievements: 3.5 (Winner-FA cup)
Overall: 12.5
Honourable Mentions:
Michael Essien: Great versatile box-to-box midfielder. Solid tackling, high energy and strong physical presence. His great goal almost took Chelsea to the Champions League Final. 12
Dani Alves: Brilliant wing-back/attacking fullback. Great speed, dribbling and crossing. His amazing energy lets him dominate the right flank like Cafu. He’s also a good free-kick taker. 12.5
Marcos Senna: The Spanish holding midfielder was many experts’ player of the tournament at Euro 2008. He’s strong in defence with a good passing range and shot. 10.5
David Villa: One of the world’s best strikers, he can do anything. Makes clever runs, has a good shot, speed and dribbling ability. Good set-piece taker, he was Euro 2008’s top scorer. 11
Cesc Fabregas: The head of a 32 year old on the body of a 22 year old, Fabregas always seems to be thinking two moves ahead. Knows what he’ll do before he gets the ball. Great passer. 11.5
Franck Ribery: Great French dribbler for Bayern Munich, his goals and wonderful skill on the ball make him a vital member of the Bayern squad. Has moved into a central role this season. 11
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