Top 50 igrača

HOW IT WORKS

We have selected the best players in the world and will be counting down from 50 to one throughout the summer. Every day until Friday, August 7 we will reveal the next player on the list, along with the reasons why we rate him.

HOW WE MADE THE LIST

The list, obviously, is subjective. All the number-crunching in the world will not tell you whether Gianluigi Buffon is better than Samuel Eto'o. Their functions are so different it is like trying to decide whether you prefer an orange or a tin opener.

We basically picked the team using the playground system. If all the players in the world were lined up and you had to pick them to play a match, in what order would a 'team captain' select them?

Our fictional playground captains are not trying to build an actual team, they are just picking the best player available. So there is no effort to balance players from every position.

In our estimation, good attackers win more matches than good defenders. They are the ones who command the big transfer fees, they are the ones who people pay to watch, and they are the ones who win the individual awards.

So we make no apology that the list is weighted in favour of attacking midfielders and strikers. No matter how much you admire Jamie Carragher's contribution to Liverpool, you would never say he was a better or more important player than Steven Gerrard or Fernando Torres. The list reflects this.

Form is crucial. There are players who missed out on a top-50 place who might have been in the top 10 last year, but have seen their stock fall either through injury or poor form. There is no doubt Ronaldinho is a stunningly talented player, but we could not say - on current form - he is one of the 50 best in the world.

Age is irrelevant. Players are judged entirely on their current ability, not their potential. A 35-year-old is not marked down because he is at the end of his career, and an 18-year-old does not get extra credit because of the player he is expected to become. Only one thing matters - how good is the player now?

THE PLAYERS WHO MISSED OUT

Whittling the world's best players down to a final list of 50 required us to make some tough decisions. All of the following players came close to making the cut but, for one reason or another, were discarded:

Emmanuel Adebayor, David Beckham, Dimitar Berbatov, Antonio Cassano, Gael Clichy, Ashley Cole, Patrice Evra, Ryan Giggs, Gonzalo Higuain, Vedad Ibisevic, Philipp Lahm, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Lucio, Diego Milito, Joao Moutinho, Andrea Pirlo, Sergio Ramos, Ronaldinho, Marcos Senna, Wesley Sneijder, Dejan Stankovic, John Terry, Carlos Tevez, Francesco Totti, Rafael van der Vaart, Ruud van Nistelrooy.

50 - Robinho (Manchester City / Brazil)

The £32 million man did just enough in his debut season at Eastlands to earn his place in the top 50. Robinho secured immediate legend status by snubbing Chelsea and then scoring on his debut - against the Blues. Inconsistency and rumours of a bust-up with Mark Hughes blighted his season as City stuttered to a mid-table finish, although a return of 14 goals in 30 Premier League games is not to be sniffed at. He might be averse to tracking back, but nobody can question the 25-year-old's lavish talent and the fact he is also a key player for his country.

49 - Filippo Inzaghi (Milan)

Picture Inzaghi and you probably conjure an image of a man with his hands pressed together in a praying motion, on the brink of tears after being caught several yards offside. You ought to picture a man wheeling away after scoring the 300th goal of his career. Loved and hated in equal measure, Inzaghi remains one of the most potent strikers in Europe, even at 35. What does he do except score goals? Nothing. Does it matter? Not a bit. He revelled in David Beckham's supply line, inspiring Milan's late-season surge with a run of 11 Serie A goals in eight matches.

48 - Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich / Germany)

We're not supposed to give away the identity of the players higher up the list, but here is a remarkable fact: Schweinsteiger is the only German in the top 50. The country that gave us Beckenbauer, Mueller, Klinsmann and Matthaeus has nobody better than the Bayern midfielder. It would be a cause for concern, except: a) It's Germany, and b) They still do better than England at every international tournament. The 24-year-old Schweinsteiger is skilful, powerful and versatile. He needs to take leadership of Bayern more often to prove he is truly world-class

47 - Darijo Srna (Shakhtar Donetsk / Croatia)

Depressingly few people on these shores noticed, but Srna captained Shakhtar Donetsk to UEFA Cup glory in May. It was validation for Srna, who has long been the subject of interest from clubs west of the Ukrainian mining town, but has stayed loyal. The Croatian has often caught the eye in international football, where he usually plays on the right side of midfield. He is a superb free-kick and corner taker, while his pace and stamina make him a formidable defender. Has played at three major international tournaments and is tipped to become his country's next captain

46 - Julio Cesar (Internazionale / Brazil)

When Gianluigi Buffon says you are the best goalkeeper in the world, you know you must be doing something right. An outstanding season for Inter turned the 'Buffon v Julio Cesar' head-to-head from a laughable mismatch into a genuine debate (we still rate the Italian more highly). He has finally exploded the myth that Brazilian keepers are eccentrics who crack under pressure. Almost single-handedly saved Inter from a real drubbing at the hands of Manchester United in the Champions League, and has now supplanted Heurelho Gomes as Brazilian first-choice between the sticks.

Ovo će trajati...

45 - Juan Roman Riquelme (Boca Juniors)

Many fans in Europe might have forgotten about the brilliant Argentinian, but Riquelme continues to excel in his homeland, even if he quit international football in March after falling out with Diego Maradona. The decision caused the impossible to happen - the fans of Boca Juniors sided with him ahead of 'El Diego'. The elegant playmaker only knows one pace at which to play the game - his - and his critics say you have to build a team around him. But when you have a player of his ability, why wouldn't you do exactly that? Villarreal did, and they nearly won the Champions League.

ehehe. Srećom došli su do broja 38. Svaki dan se objavi novi igrač. Ide se od 50 prema 1.

44 - Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus)

It says something about the current state of Italian football that we still rate Del Piero and Filippo Inzaghi as the fourth and fifth-best players in the country. Del Piero is now 34, and you cannot help but marvel at his continued brilliance as he prepares for his 17th season with Juventus. He shows no sign of slowing down, having broken the 20-goal mark for the last four seasons; he remains one of the most creative, intelligent and hard-working players in the game. And if that were not enough, he is mates with The Rolling Stones and Oasis.

43 - Xabi Alonso (Liverpool / Spain)

How good are Spain at the moment? So good that Xabi Alonso struggles to get a game for them. The Liverpool midfielder would surely walk into any other national team, boasting a combination of slick passing, superb reading of the game and a physical edge that is a positive consequence of his time in the Premier League. There is a touch of Paul Scholes about Alonso, so pure a striker of the ball is he, while his penchant for shots from the halfway line owes more to David Beckham. Last summer Rafa Benitez was shopping him around, but now he faces a fierce fight to keep him.

42 - Tuncay Sanli (Middlesbrough / Turkey)

Watching Tuncay toil away in a dismal Middlesbrough side was like seeing a great white shark confined to a duck pond. Nevertheless, the versatile attacker did himself no harm at all, performing brilliantly and without complaint, and coming within a few lucky breaks of keeping Boro up. He scored a succession of spectacular goals including a magnificent overhead kick against Aston Villa. He will be a worthy acquisition for whoever picks him up now. Tuncay also captains Turkey and was a standout performer in their thrilling Euro 2008 campaign, although World Cup qualifying is not going well.

41 - Vagner Love (CSKA Moscow)

The Brazilian's 32 goals in 37 games last season made him almost as prolific on the pitch as he is in the bedroom; the second part of his name is a self-appointed tribute to his amorous reputation. The dreadlocked lothario was the top scorer in last season's UEFA Cup, finding the net 11 times. Vagner Love's pace, movement and finishing make him one of the most deadly strikers in the world, although doubts over his professionalism explain why he has not moved to England or Spain. Brazil coach Dunga is not a fan; the 25-year-old has not played for his country since 2007.

40 - Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea / France)

Having pouted his way through the first half of his career, Anelka has finally settled down and developed into the superb player he always promised to become. He may have had a few clubs, but there is a reason the Frenchman has accumulated £85 million in transfer fees throughout his career. He is pacy, skilful and a superb finisher. Despite the occasional grumble, he adapted well to life on the wing extremely well when exiled from his favoured central role, and still managed to claim the Premier League's golden boot award with 19 goals. Has even returned to favour in the French national team.

39 - Mohamed Aboutrika (Al-Ahly / Egypt)

Despite their mystifying inability to qualify for World Cups, Egypt are a powerhouse of African football and have won the last two continental championships. Their playmaker Aboutrika has been the catalyst for their recent success, earning second place in the 2008 African Footballer of the Year award. Aboutrika is known as 'The smiling assassin' although of he ever came to the Premier League his place of birth would guarantee he was called 'The Geezer from Giza'. He is probably the best player at an African club, and has helped Al-Ahly to three African Champions League triumphs and five straight Egyptian titles.

38 - Karim Benzema (Lyon / France)

The fact that Real Madrid and Manchester United are battling it out to sign the France striker for £25 million should tell you a thing or two about how good he is. The 21-year-old shares Zinedine Zidane's Algerian heritage but plays more like a pre-injury Ronaldo, combining pace, physicality and unerring finishing off both feet. Benzema has scored 54 goals in two seasons for Lyon although he is not yet a regular in the France team, faced with competition from Thierry Henry and Nicolas Anelka. Has the potential to crack the top 10 of this list given a couple of seasons at Real or United.

super tema,rep +

37 - Shay Given (Manchester City / Republic of Ireland)

If Shay Given played for England, he would be talked about in the same breath as Iker Casillas and Gianluigi Buffon, but for some reason he is strangely overlooked. Had it not been for him, Newcastle United might have been relegated by the time he left for Eastlands in mid-season. Given's supreme reflexes and athleticism have made him one of the Premier League's most important players, and was a bargain when normally free-spending City bought him for a mere £6 million. Still only 33, Given has some of his best years ahead of him and is closing on 100 caps for the Republic of Ireland.

36 - Giuseppe Rossi (Villarreal / Italy)

Might Alex Ferguson view the New Jersey-born Italian as the superstar he let slip between his fingers? Manchester United decided there was no room for Rossi in summer 2007 after they signed Carlos Tevez on loan, selling him to Villarreal. But would United rather have Rossi or Michael Owen? Since leaving Old Trafford, Rossi has matured into one of La Liga's best strikers, combining a natural eye for goal with selfless team play. He has made himself an indispensable part of Marcello Lippi's Italy side, too, and scored twice against the country of his birth in the Confederations Cup.



35 - Alexandre Pato (Milan / Brazil)

Pato is easily the best teenage footballer in the world and his presence at Milan partly explains why the Rossoneri were willing to let Kaka leave. Like his countryman, Pato generates tremendous power and pace from a slight frame, complementing his natural skill and poise. Pato plays like a second striker but has the scoring record of an out-and-out goalscorer, with 24 Serie A goals during the season-and-a-half he has been eligible to play for them. Milan have called the 19-year-old 'untransferable', but Chelsea are making a concerted effort to make him Carlo Ancelotti's main summer signing.



34 - Robin van Persie (Arsenal / Netherlands)

Injuries have prevented the Dutchman from fulfilling his true potential, but he is nonetheless quite a player. Despite having a reputation - acquired early in his career - for being a difficult character, Van Persie is a thoughtful and versatile forward. In an Arsenal side lacking spark during Cesc Fabregas's injury-enforced absence last season, he often made telling contributions, particularly in the Champions League. And you have to like a man who produces quotes like this: "No one would have said a few years ago that a black man could be US President. No one thinks that Arsenal, with our budget, can win trophies."



33 - Esteban Cambiasso (Internazionale / Argentina)

There is nothing glamorous about the bald Argentine, but he is the heartbeat of the Inter side that have become the dominant force in Italian football. Just the kind of determined, hard-running midfielder Jose Mourinho loves, Cambiasso has flourished and recently signed a new five-year contract. Originally a destroyer, the 29-year-old has become increasingly adventurous and weighs in with six to eight goals per season. Not an automatic choice for Argentina, what with Javier Mascherano's status as captain, but he scored one of the great World Cup goals in 2006, finishing a 24-pass move with a deft finish against Serbia.

32 - Edin Dzeko (Wolfburg / Bosnia and Herzegovina)

The hottest striker in European football. Dzeko scored 21 goals in 15 games over the second half of the season as Wolfsburg won their first Bundesliga title. Between them, he and his strike partner Grafite scored 54 league goals, as Germany's defences had no answer to the deadly duo. Still 23, Dzeko might just be the next Didier Drogba, as he boasts a similar range of skills to the Ivorian. Tall (6'4"), powerful and selfless, but also a ruthless finisher, Dzeko insists he is staying put despite attracting Milan's attention. He is also the second-highest scorer in European World Cup qualifying

31 - Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal / Spain)

Fabregas would be ranked higher but for a turbulent and injury-disrupted 2008/09 season with Arsenal, while the embarrassment of midfield riches at Vicente Del Bosque's disposal make him a less-than-automatic choice at international level. Nonetheless, Fabregas is a brilliant player and still only 22. A brilliant passer with quick feet and a quicker brain, Fabregas has all the technical tools for greatness. The remaining question is whether he can cope with the mental demands of captaining Arsenal at such a young age. The Gunners face a tough battle to keep him at the Emirates Stadium in light of interest from his former club Barcelona

30 - Yuri Zhirkov (Chelsea / Russia)

A new £18 million signing at Stamford Bridge, Zhirkov promises to become one of the most exciting players in the Premier League. Rather misleadingly, he has been described as the Russian Ronaldinho. If he must be compared to a Brazilian star, it must surely be Roberto Carlos, given his pace, stamina, surging touchline-hugging runs and set-piece ability. Zhirkov could be the genuine wide player Chelsea presently lack. He operated as an attacking full-back for his country at Euro 2008, but Ashley Cole's presence means he may feature further forward at Stamford Bridge. Either way, Carlo Ancelotti will surely find a place for him



29 - Daniele De Rossi (Roma / Italy)

The all-action De Rossi is arguably the complete central midfielder. Strong, determined and as comfortable winning the ball as he is using it, De Rossi is the kind of player every team should have. Aged 25 and still improving, he is closing in on a half-century of caps for his country. Scored a penalty in the 2006 World Cup final but missed most of the tournament through suspension after elbowing USA's Brian McBride, for which he later apologised. Has taken Francesco Totti's number 10 shirt for the national team and will surely inherit the captain's armband at Roma when Totti hangs up his boots.



28 - Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid / Uruguay)

From laughing stock to feared assassin in the space of a few years. Having taken 27 games to get on the scoresheet for Manchester United, Forlan's consistent performances for Villarreal and then Atletico have yielded 117 goals in five seasons. Now 30, he is coming off his best season to date, which included 32 goals in 33 Liga games for Atletico and saw him win his second European Golden Boot award - his club recently said they would rather have him than Karim Benzema and it is easy to see why. Earlier in the summer he was linked with a £20 million move to Liverpool - a far cry from Diego Forlorn.



27 - Yoann Gourcuff (Bordeaux / France)

It is a sign of the Bordeaux playmaker's progress that he is no longer referred to as 'The New Zidane' - Yoann Gourcuff alone will do. The 23-year-old has made his own reputation as a skilful, creative attacking midfielder. Gourcuff enjoyed a simply inspirational season as Les Girondins ended Lyon's seven-year stranglehold on the Ligue 1 title, and he has signed a four-year deal to make his loan from Milan to Bordeaux permanent. Is now a regular in the French set-up, and along with the likes of Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema, he should ensure Les Bleus are a force to be reckoned with at the 2010 World Cup.

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