Top 50 igrača

26 - Thierry Henry (Barcelona / France)

Remember him? Henry has turned into something of a forgotten man at Barcelona, in the shadow of Leo Messi, Samuel Eto'o, Xavi and Andres Iniesta. Yet he returned to electric form in his second season at Camp Nou on the left side of Barca's attacking trident. While unable to run the show as he did at Arsenal, Henry continues to use his unique combination of skill and pace to devastating effect; he weighed in with 26 goals and plenty of assists in Barcelona's treble season. Henry is France's record goalscorer, with 48 strikes from 111 appearances, and should be at next summer's World Cup.

25 - Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United / England)

There is plenty not to like about Ferdinand. Yet behind the endless self-promotion, the lifestyle magazine and the sub-Beadle's About TV show, the Manchester United man has matured into one of the most complete defenders in world football. He has stopped trying to be Franz Beckenbauer, sharpened up his concentration and formed a world-class partnership with Nemanja Vidic. Often cast as the silk to Vidic's steel, Ferdinand has nonetheless developed a welcome no-nonsense streak to accompany his neat touch. Although he narrowly missed out on the England captaincy to John Terry, he should inherit the United armband when Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville retire.

24 - David Villa (Valencia / Spain)

Barring a mammoth late bid, Villa could be the one that got away from Real Madrid. It is easy to see why Valencia have fought so hard to keep him. Villa is a model of consistency, having found the net over 100 times in four seasons, with a career-best 31 last term. His sharpness, skill and deadly finishing offer a glimpse of what Michael Owen might be like if he still had pace. Villa is arguably even better for Spain, closing on Raul's scoring record with remarkable speed, rattling in 31 goals in 49 caps and forming a Euro 2008-winning strike partnership with Fernando Torres.

23 - Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus / Italy)

The Juventus goalkeeper was generally thought to have had an 'off' year last season, but his performances still stand head and shoulders above those of nearly any other goalkeeper. Like Peter Schmeichel, Buffon uses his imposing size to intimidate strikers. He rushes out, closes down angles and denies time to forwards. He also boasts superb reflexes, agility and catching ability. While not as immune to errors as he once appeared, many would still claim that Buffon is the best all-around goalkeeper in the world. Buffon is 31 and just five caps away from completing his century for Italy.

22 - Javier Mascherano (Liverpool / Argentina)

Most defensive midfielders struggle to get themselves noticed, but Mascherano's work rate and reading of the game impressed Diego Maradona so much he made the Liverpool man captain of Argentina. Mascherano arrived in England at the same time as Carlos Tevez, and while the midfielder's countryman hogs the headlines, his understated excellence was a major reason why Liverpool were able to contend for the Premier League title. The 25-year-old might keep things simple but that does not mean his job is easy. He suffocates opponents with his constant hassling and harrying, and has made himself a potential transfer target for every top club in Europe.

21 - Maicon (Internazionale / Brazil)

The Internazionale man is so good, he has managed to keep the extraordinary Daniel Alves out of the Brazilian national team. Like his predecessor as Inter right-back, Javier Zanetti, Maicon manages to exert a disproportionate influence over the game from a position more often occupied by solid citizens than genuine match-winners. Maicon is a more solid defender than Alves, albeit slightly less explosive going forward. Nevertheless, he was often Inter's most effective attacker last season, not least in the Champions League last sixteen tie against Manchester United. Also famous for his involvement in the spectacular brawl against Valencia in 2007.

18 - Iker Casillas (Real Madrid / Spain)

It hardly seems fair, does it? In addition to all their expensively-acquired superstars, Real Madrid have the best goalkeeper in the world, and they found him on their doorstep in the Madrid suburb of Mostoles. Still only 28, Casillas has been Real's first choice for the best part of a decade. He played in the 2000 and 2002 Champions League finals, and has already racked up 96 caps for Spain - at this rate a final total in excess of 200 is not out of the question. Casillas is an outstanding shot-stopper, boasting extraordinary reflexes, and has improved greatly on less glamorous tasks such as catching crosses.

19 - Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid / Argentina)

Fast, skilful and strong despite his diminutive size, Aguero has made Atletico Madrid fans forget about Fernando Torres, and formed one of Europe's deadliest striker partnerships with Diego Forlan. His sense of occasion means his best performances often come on the biggest stage, such as the brace he scored in the spectacular 4-3 win against Barcelona in March. In 20 years' time, don't be surprised to see Benjamin Aguero on this list. He is the four-month old son of Aguero and Giannina Maradona - Diego's daughter. Let's just say the tot has the gene pool on his side.

20 - Didier Drogba (Chelsea / Ivory Coast)

After sulking his way through the first half of last season under Luiz Felipe Scolari, Drogba exploded into life in the spring following Guud Hiddink's arrival. When on song, Drogba offers a combination of strength, power and skill that no other striker can match - he is a target man that scores 25 goals a season. Drogba at the top of his game would be worth a place in the top 10, but his increasingly suspect temperament makes him difficult to rely on. His last two Champions League campaigns have finished in shame - sent off in the 2008 final and banned for an extraordinary rant after Chelsea's exit at Barcelona's hands.

17 - Daniel Alves (Barcelona / Brazil)

Possibly the most adventurous full-back in world football. Quick, skilful and ambitious, Alves spends far more time in the opposition's half than his own, yet such is Barcelona's commitment to attack and the Brazilian's recovery speed, he somehow gets away with it. Joined Barcelona for £25 million last summer after six trophy-laden seasons with Sevilla, and promptly helped his new employers to a remarkable Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League treble. Very rarely gets the chance to show his set-piece ability with Barca, but scored a scorching free-kick against South Africa at the Confederations Cup.

16 - Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United / Serbia)

A throwback to the days when footballers were real men who used to brush their teeth with a porcupine, floss with barbed wire and then gargle iron filings instead of mouthwash. You get the idea. As well as being possibly the hardest, least compromising footballer in the world, Vidic is also a technically superb defender. The Serbian's positioning, speed and heading ability have allowed him to form the ultimate good cop, bad cop partnership with Rio Ferdinand and played a leading role in Manchester United's record-breaking run of clean sheets last season

15 - Diego (Juventus / Brazil)

Diego shot to fame when he and Robinho fired Santos to Brazilian championship glory when the pair were teenagers. Despite starting more slowly in Europe than his former team-mate, Diego is poised to overhaul him having signed for Juventus from Werder Bremen. Having established himself as the best player in the Bundesliga, the 24-year-old can do the same in Serie A. Diego scored 20 goals from his attacking midfield position, carried Bremen to the UEFA Cup final and set up the winning goal in the German Cup final in his last game for the club. A certain Kaka has limited his international options, but Diego has won 33 caps

14 - Andres Iniesta (Barcelona / Spain)

Iniesta certainly has a sense of occasion, having saved to of the finest performances of his career for the finals of Euro 2008 and the 2009 Champions League. The slick-passing midfielder seems made for the big stage, with his clever, one-touch style perfectly-suited to the delicate possession football played by both his club and country. What Iniesta lacks in pace and strength, he more than makes up with his ability to carry the ball forward and pick a pass nobody else knew existed. Along with the even-more-brilliant Xavi, Iniesta ensures that opponents who give the ball away against Spain or Barcelona may not see it again for several minutes.

Nevjerojatno je da je Iniesta tek 14

13 - Frank Lampard (Chelsea / England)

Not the fastest, not the strongest and not the most skilful; just the most effective. Lampard's brand of no-frills quality has made him a favourite of virtually every manager he has played for - especially Jose Mourinho. He is the undisputed king of the Chelsea midfield, combining tireless running and selfless play with crucial goals and assists. The England man delivers a mean set-piece, and only ever misses a penalty if it is in a World Cup quarter-final. Rarely injured and staggeringly consistent, his last five seasons have yielded 19, 20, 21, 20 and 20 goals.

12 - Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich / France)

Zinedine Zidane reckons he is better than Cristiano Ronaldo and, while we respectfully disagree, there is no doubt that Ribery has replaced Zidane as the creative maestro of the French national team. Ribery is a bit like Ronaldo in that he is ostensibly a winger but has the licence and the ability to pop up all the way across the pitch. Having endured a difficult start to his career, the Bayern star plays with a burning intensity which, in conjunction with his dribbling and passing ability, makes him virtually unplayable on his day. No wonder the Bundesliga giants are asking £70 million for him.

11 - Samuel Eto'o (Internazionale / Cameroon)

It is impossible to imagine a scenario in which the Cameroonian will not go absolutely goal crazy in Serie A. He will be the main striker for easily the best team in a league lacking strength in depth. He has the sharpness and movement around the box of Filippo Inzaghi, but with explosiveness, strength and skill reminiscent of Ronaldo (the Brazilian one) in his early years. Although Zlatan Ibrahimovic has a better all-around game, Eto'o is the ultimate livewire, and it seems amazing that Barcelona would part with him, and £40m, to bring Ibrahimovic to the Camp Nou.

10 Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Barcelona / Sweden)

What with Samuel Eto'o coming in at number 11, we now have scientific fact that a place among the world's 10 best footballers is worth £40 million plus a season of Alex Hleb. Ibrahimovic's languid style might have earned him a few critics, but to be perfectly honest it is their loss. The Swede is a joy to watch, boasting the skill and poise of a ballet dancer with the physique of a bouncer. Was Serie A's top scorer last season with 25 goals, and could go on to even greater things with Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi supplying him with chances.

9 Wayne Rooney (Manchester United / England)

Ever since his stunning winner for Everton against Arsenal as a 16-year-old, Rooney has carried the hopes of every England fan on his broad shoulders, and Fabio Capello's side is certainly a lesser team whenever he is not in it. Rooney's skill, power and tireless support of erstwhile club team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo over the past two seasons have played a major part in yet another vintage era for Manchester United, and he can look forward to an even more pivotal role next term. Three Premier League titles and a Champions League winner's medal is an exceptional haul for a player who is a) English and b) still only 23.

8 - Andrei Arshavin (Arsenal / Russia)

During Euro 2008, Arshavin was that rarest of animals in the modern game; an exceptionally-talented, fully-formed forward that not too many people had seen play. That Arsenal lured him to the Premier League after he had looked Barcelona-bound was nothing short of a coup, even if it was greatly facilitated by the Russian flying himself in on deadline day. His four-goal haul at Anfield has already assured his place in the heart of every Arsenal supporter, and the knowledge that he will be with the Gunners from the start of next season is a cause for excitement for all football fans.

Arshavin tako visoko. Dobar je on ali siugrno nije bolji od Inieste pa ni Riberyija

1- Lionel Messi (Barcelona / Argentina)

Messi hails from Rosario in Argentina but has spent nearly a decade in Barcelona and been adopted as an honorary Catalan because, well, wouldn't you want to claim him as one of your own?

When he joined the club, the 13-year-old Messi's feet did not even touch the ground when he sat on the bench, but some jaw-dropping performances hinted at potential that has now blossomed into full-blown greatness.

Like Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi is lightning quick, skilful, strong and knows how to find the back of the net from wide positions.

Unlike the Portuguese, however, he is almost universally loved, and received a standing ovation from some Real Madrid fans during the 6-2 Clasico demolition at the Bernabeu in May.

While Ronaldo demands that the team fits around his genius, Messi works for the collective good and will happily use his skills to showcase the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta or Thierry Henry if the situation demands it.

Still just 22, Messi was inspirational in 2008-09, dazzling with the ball as he hit 23 sumptuous goals in La Liga to regain the title from Real Madrid; he chipped in with six in the Copa del Rey and added nine more in a victorious Champions League campaign.

The little man somehow evaded Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic to score a towering header in the European final in Rome; a signature moment that encapsulated Barcelona's superiority over Manchester United, and Messi's over Ronaldo. Until next year...

Click the links below the photo to review the top 50 in full, and to read why we picked the players we did as we address your criticisms!

2- Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid / Portugal)

Many might take issue with the reigning World Player of the Year and Ballon d'Or coming in at number two, not least Ronaldo himself. But the Portuguese has just slipped behind you-know-who over the last season. In his desperation to repeat the 42-goal haul of 2007-08, Ronaldo's final campaign at Manchester United saw him grow increasingly selfish and petulant. On the plus side, he still impressed enough for Real Madrid to shell out a world record £80 million fee. Ronaldo excels in almost every technical and physical department - he is strong, fast, two-footed, absurdly skilful, great in the air and possesses a dipping, swerving shot that continues to make goalkeepers look foolish. Still just 24, he could have another decade at the top. If he rediscovers his enjoyment of the game in Madrid, the unofficial title of world's best footballer is his for the taking.

3 - Fernando Torres (Liverpool / Spain)

The best striker in the world. Torres was plagued by hamstring problems for much of last season, but when he played he was absolute dynamite. No other out-and-out front man provides such a combination of electric pace, sublime technique (that feint he does to dribble past opponents is so gorgeous you'd let it marry your sister) and unerring finishing. Best of all, he can be used effectively in any attacking system; sitting on the last defender's shoulder looking to beat the offside trap, lurking close to goal as a fox in the box, or playing as a target man with his back to goal. Oh, and he scored the goal that won Spain's first major trophy for 44 years.

4 - Xavi (Barcelona / Spain)

UEFA's player of Euro 2008 is the technically supreme fulcrum for both Barcelona and Spain, and his international form nudges him just in front of Gerrard. Always available and, equally, always able to find a team-mate, Xavi is also one of the consistently effective deliverers of a dead ball. Proof that in an age of increasingly tall, muscle-bound athletes, there is still room for the little guy. One Spanish commentator has taken to calling him "Xavi Humphrey Bogart", because he always plays it again. Which, in its own laboured way, sums up his importance for both club and country.

5 - Steven Gerrard (Liverpool / England)

No other Premier League side has a single player as indispensible to their cause as Gerrard. You can bemoan the Roy of the Rovers 'blood, sweat and guts' cliches all you like, but the fact is that time and again the Liverpool skipper drags his team up to another level. Last season, that level was the Anfield side's first credible title challenge in years. He even looks to have finally found his place in an England shirt. One pundit's recent observation that he has "the style and speed of a professional boxer" perfectly encapsulates the England midfielder's all-action approach.

6 - Kaka (Real Madrid / Brazil)

There are few players who have ever made the game look as easy as Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite. It may not have been a vintage year for Kaka, but he still scored 16 times in Serie A before he signed up for the Perez 'project' at Real Madrid in this summer's most exciting piece of recruitment by the club. Ronaldo beats defenders with pace and strength, Messi runs with the ball stuck to his feet like a player in a Play Station game, but Kaka glides effortlessly past opponents with an elegant grace that you might describe as divine.

7 - Michael Essien (Chelsea / Ghana)

Essien cost Chelsea a monster £24 million four years ago, and how he has repaid that fee. During his time at Stamford Bridge, he has been deployed in defence, as a wing-back and even behind the strikers in addition to his trademark midfield enforcer position, and has filled each role with aplomb. Guus Hiddink may have taken much of the credit for guiding Chelsea to their late-season revival, but the Dutchman will have counted his blessings when Essien returned from long-term injury in March. A mighty physical specimen who can also score the odd vital goal too.