It is pretty much undisputed that at club level, Lionel messi is the best player in the world over recent years with Cristiano Ronaldo probably a close second. But neither of these players have made a massive impact at International level. Who in your opinion is the worlds best player when playing for his country. I am a bit unsure on this one and would probably lump for a Spanish midfielder, (Xavi, Iniesta) Would be interested to see what other people think.
I would have to also throw in how important to the team is that player as well. This is a tough one, a good example would be Klose who is tops at International level ( tied for most WC goals ever) but OK at club level ( would have him for us mind!). I will be bias and go out of the box a bit, Dempsey in terms of importance to a team. In everything positive we have done since 2006- until now it has been Dempsey who was the catalyst or the spark, or the guy to come up with the goods for us. Against Spain, brazil in confed cup, to the last world cup, to just being our go to guy. He always delivers on the big stage for us and I hope he will have a chance in at least one more WC, Confed Cup, Gold cup, etc. Just best player, would probably be, well, not sure, Iniesta? Casillas? Really hard that one!
One of my first thoughts is Brazilian Ronaldo, but he doesn't play any more. Klose is a very good call. In fact Germany are the country that stands out to me, not Spain. Sweignsteiger could be include. And Dutch. Robben, Sneijder.... I always think Rooney isnt so good at International level. England's star is Peter Crouch. Suarez deserves a mention to. He's incredible for Uruguay.
I'd argue that Donavon has been more important to the USMNT than Dempsey. At least under Arena and Bradley, as we haven't play many games or any tournaments under Klinnsman.
Not for me, can't stand Donovan. I know he scored the goal against Algeria but Dempsey pulls everything together. He is above donovan for me, club and country. At international you also have to mention, Forlan. OK for club, but when he puts on the Uruguay Jersey he transforms into a goal machine and links so well with Suarez and Cavani. Ya, Germany stick out for me at the moment but it is more of a team effort than one player I feel.
Slovakia? Brazil? Ghana? I may have to concede Dempsey is the better player after his form this year, but Donavon is the one player in the team that will pull the team on his shoulders and win the game. His goal against Slovakia is a prime example. 2-0 at halftime decides to drive past Slovakia on his own and score to make it 2-1 and pull us back in the game. In the confederations cup Landon was our catalyst for almost every counter attack. Dempsey is a great player but he's never grabbed a game by it's balls like Landycakes has.
Dempsey got better later while Donovan was more natural and gifted younger. My problem with donovan is he wants to be comfortable all the time and in charge as much as he can. He could have stayed with Everton, 2x, he could have stayed with Leverkusen and become a much much better player but he wanted to sit on his laurels and get lapped up by the US. To have that sort of talent and not properly use it all is frustrating to see. This conversation I think is in the now so in the now it has to be Dempsey. Donovan has done good things but right now, I take Dempsey any day of the week. Oh and this would be easy if Ronaldo fenomeno was still around. Or Zizou, both were superb for their country.
You're using Donavon/Dempsey's club form/record when I've already conceded Dempsey is a better play than Donavon. I just feel Donavon is better at the international level than Dempsey is, but Dempsey will be more pivotal in the new 4-3-3 as I think Donavon will struggle in that formation. The few games Donavon has played under Jurgen he's been played as part of the midfield 3 and he's more of a winger than anything else these days. Donavon's move to Everton or lack thereof is more due to the price MLS/Galaxy put on him and Everton not willing to pay that price. Landon clearly can make it in a top 10 club AA he had like what, 7-8 assists in little less than 2 months? At club that had been struggling to find goals, it's pretty impressive.
Chile and Uruguay have impressed me a lot over the last couple of years but I would go for Schweinsteiger the German, the guy is a total robot, no matter what the importance of the game he keeps calm and he never has a bad game.
I think Germany and Uruguay will lead frog Spain. Germany have so many quality young players who will only get better.
