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
melbvictory87
Guest
whos adler? and why would you put mertersacker there, you must be german
albe
Guest
personal taste as i mentioned... picking a 100pc "best XI" is pretty subjective... its clear i don't watch EPL from my selections, Mertesacker i take your point but he is a mountain of a kid and give him a couple of seasons to harden up. Like i said, its all opinion ...
Freud of Football
Roar Guru
Have you ever seen Ferdinand play, his touch is impeccable, he doesn't dribble like Messi and there is a difference between dribbling and touch so that's obviously where you're getting confused. Yes he gave Bellamy that goal but if you want to bend stuff around then you could say Messi gave Man utd the Semi-Final for them to go on and win the CL as he was ordinary, their best player was nowhere to be seen in that game. That's not how you judge a player, same as John Terry won't be simply remembered for missing a penalty in a CL final shooutout. If you think Ferdinand is so ordinary, name a more technically gifted defender and I'm sure we can find a balls up from them too.
Damir
Guest
------------Julio Cesar--------------- --Maicon---Vidic---Terry---Evra--- --Iniesta--------Xavi--------Ribery-- --Messi----David Villa----Ronaldo- Given--Pique--Kaka--Gerrard--Eto'o--Ibrahimovic
DiCanio
Guest
'for someone at 6′2 he controls like a taller version of Messi' Wow. Just wow. That is possibly the most outrageous footballing statement I've seen in years. And then to go on talking about the mystic and intangiables that we need to consider. Lets consider the intangible of coughing up possesion for the 2nd Bellamy goal. I think the only person who beleives in Rio's ball playing brilliance more then you is Rio himself -------------- Lionel Messi. A shorter Ferdinand.
Colin N
Guest
How can Ibrahimovic be a superstar when he hasn't done it in Europe?
Sam
Guest
Franck Ribery a honorable mention? He is in the top 10 for everyone else I would think. Zlatan is a superstar and deserves his spot, not sure Ferdidnand deserves a top 15 gig and pretty sure Kaka should be higher.
Colin N
Guest
"but i just think dribbling past three defenders and smashing it in the top corner" Didn't Ferdinand smash the ball into the top corner against Liverpool? Anyway, I see your point, but I agree with Freud, you can't compare the skill of a defender to an attacking midfielder. It's seriously flawed logic.
Freud of Football
Roar Guru
You don't compare the "ability" of a central defender with a winger or attacking midfielder. Ferdinand, from a technical standpoint is as sound as you can get, indeed he could have been a central midfielder such is his prowess on the ball but being such a good tackler and with his height he is a brilliant defender. Its his ability as a defender which you should have looked at as he is simply the most gifted technical defender in the world. You can say the same about this ability as Messi's, he has talent which you can't teach, Ferdinand has a touch that you can't teach, for someone at 6'2 he controls like a taller version of Messi, his vision is excellent and he reads the game as well as anybody, all things you can't teach. It's his awareness of the game that makes him so classy, he knows whats going to happen before it does and rarely makes mistakes. It's those intangible things that you need to take reference of when looking at ability/skill.
Freud of Football
Roar Guru
Would absolutely thrash Albe's. Best defensive partnership in the world, full backs who constantly charge forward. Xavi and Iniesta to knock the ball around or up to Drogba, Messi will link up nicely and Gerrard would play a Paul Scholes type run coming late in the box. Just let Ronaldo do what he wants. Seriously Albe, you picked a team with no balance and inferior players just because you watch La Liga. Most Real Madrid fans wouldn't put Mertesacker in their best XI, nor would many Germans, I don't see your logic at all.
sam.gilbert
Roar Rookie
alrighty, my first XI: Casillas Dani Alves Vidic Ferdinand A Cole Ronaldo Gerrard Xavi Iniesta Messi Drogba
sam.gilbert
Roar Rookie
also, yes- it was tough to leave van der sar out. but as i said in the article, the fact van der sar went so many minutes without conceding was as much due to the players in front of him as his own abillity. i think casillas is better. john terry- no, not for me. has lost all pace and can get shown up, even though he's still a good organiser. i think his best years are behind him. pepe reina- class keeper, but if i cant include van der sar theres no way i can put reina in.
sam.gilbert
Roar Rookie
yes, both great players, and i've acknowledged their influence on their team, but i just cant agree that they have greater ability than a messi, ronaldo or xavi. as a defender myself, im the first to acknowledge class defensive play, but i just think dribbling past three defenders and smashing it in the top corner (for example) is a rarer skill than heading the ball clear, tackling tough, kicking the ball away from attackers' feet and tracking strikers around the pitch. of course you can disagree, but thats just my opinion. you can train strength, tacklling, marking and defensive play, but what messi can do- you cannot teach that.
sam.gilbert
Roar Rookie
sorry guys i shouldve been more precise about the 'achievements' rating. i used the season just passed only as a reference. if i used your way freud then ronaldo would definitely be first, closely followed by kaka. in fact if i considered all achievements maldini probably would be in the list, and i cant agree that he is among the best 15 in the world. but as kaka did nothing last season (comparatively) and messi made himself the most important player (arguably) on the best team in the world and had an influence on the champions league final that ronaldo couldnt, i placed him higher. of course youre entitled to your opinion, but thats how i did it. nice to see everyone's arguing.
Freud of Football
Roar Guru
You're obviously just a La Liga fan. "The proof for guys like Gerrard or Lampard or even Rooney would be for more (or even some) of them to head to Serie A or La Liga" - Serie A is an inferior league to the EPL, La Liga is on a similar level but as we've seen over the last 3 years with the CL being dominated by english teams without them always winning it, England posses some of the best teams in the world. Gerrard probably wouldn't suit spanish football, Lampard and Rooney would be fine whereas Xavi or Iniesta, they'd be like Modric, you see the flashes of brilliance and know what they're capable of but they are good enough physically and when they aren't surrounded by class players they look inferior. Mertesacker - You have to be joking, I mean seriously? Abidal - Again, I'd take Evra or Clichy over Abidal ANY day of the week The rest, well I'd love to see pretty much anyone's world XI against yours, you'd get trounced.
Freud of Football
Roar Guru
I second that, Ferdinand is extremely gifted from a technical standpoint while Vidic can do just about everything defensively.
Colin N
Guest
Re: the article, why are Vidic and Ferdinand rated as 4 for ability, when they're two of the best defenders in the world. It seems like you rated them as 4 just because they are defenders, and aren't the 'pretty' boys.
Colin N
Guest
"The proof for guys like Gerrard or Lampard or even Rooney would be for more (or even some) of them to head to Serie A or La Liga and try and make an impression there." The same could be said for anybody in world football. How would Xavi and Iniesta play in a team like Liverpool or Chelsea etc?
albe
Guest
Ibrahimovic didn't do a whole lot at Inter, so if he doesn't make a go of it in a team like Barca (which he's probably more suited to over Inter) then its off to the glue factory for him. I dunno if i'd go for Gerrard either. I reckon most the supposed top English players would be decidedly average where they not surrounded by such imported quality. The proof for guys like Gerrard or Lampard or even Rooney would be for more (or even some) of them to head to Serie A or La Liga and try and make an impression there. Or to go all the way in South Africa! its a tough time trying to quantify with figures - or some sort of index - who the "best 15" in the world might be... i prefer the good old 'Best XI' ... your own personal dream team. its all down to personal taste so forgive me if i leave out some obvious ones... (like 'CR9' who i just cannot bring myself to include :P) Adler Maicon - Vidic - Mertersacker - Abidal Fabregas - Xavi - Iniesta Messi - Torres - Ribery Subs: Casillas, Alves, Sneijder, Essien, van Persie, Drogba
Freud of Football
Roar Guru
You're right, you're gonna get slated from all directions. At least you provided us with your formula, so let's use it to make corrections. You only give Ronaldo a 4.5 for his achievements? Ronaldo is as you say current world player of the year, we can only speculate Messi will win it this time around which means Ronaldo has the upperhand there. He has also won a CL and been Runner-up, both times being the catalyst for the team to actually get there. Messi has only got Barca there once, 2006 he did nothing. Domestic honours well they're both level but remember when C. Ronaldo was establishing himself, Man utd weren't number one in the land unlike Barca. Further, Ronaldo was a Runner-Up in Euro 2004 and 4th place at the 2006 WC. Ronaldo is dominant in a way Messi will never be. Sure he has brilliant feet etc but in a physical game he is nothing, he is too short and lacks strength. He counters it with his pace but Ronaldo cant be kicked off the ball, has pace to burn, an incredible leap and shot and probably the most lethal free-kick in the world. If he wouldn't whinge and dive so much he'd be unplayable. Don't forget he was injured for the start of last season, he still hit over 20 goals as a Winger. Gerrard at three according to your reasoning is also wrong, 5 for influence on his influence Liverpool team, 4.5 for skill and a 2 for achievements, he is certainly not as talented or technically gifted as places 4-8 and by your rules shouldn't have made the top 10. Particularly as you give Kaka a 3 for achievements, do you even watch football? Here's what he has won since playing in Europe * Serie A: 2003–04 * Italian Super Cup: 2003–04 * UEFA Champions League: 2006–07 * UEFA Super Cup: 2003-04, 2007–08 * FIFA Club World Cup: 2007 * FIFA World Cup: 2002 * FIFA Confederations Cup: 2005, 2009 Ho do you give that a 3 and Gerrard a 5? Gerrard was never the best footballer in the world, he's never won a world cup or even a domestic league. Ibrahimovic you've just totally overrated. Did you watch Man utd-Inter in last years CL. One of my very good mates is an Inter fan and he was embarassed as hell, having talked him up so much only for him to flop. On the big stage he is a failure and doesn't belong in the Top 10, he has bags of ability but it's no good if he chokes. As with most "Top X" lists you've put all the forwards and attacking midfielders in at the top. Ferdinand and Vidic are the reason Man utd are so dominant, Ferdinand is probably the most technically gifted defender in 20 years and Vidic wins games single-handedly. Didn't even mention John Terry? Or Pepe Reina or Van Der Sar?