The world's top 20 Football players today.

1 to 20, our own opinions, who are the elite of the elite in the world of Football?

1. Lionnel Messi

I believe he is the greatest forward ever, certainly the most complete footballer.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo

Goals, assists and tricks in abundance and also surprisingly good in the air.

3. Andres Iniesta

He will find anyone with a pass and the footwork on him is machine like.

4. Robin Van Persie

Complete striker and then some.

5. David Silva

The BPL's most creative midfielder.

6. Xavi

The best deep lying playmaker in the world.

7. Mehzut Ozil

Likely to be higher if played more often over the vastly inferior Modric.

8. Rademel Falcao

Complete striker, not far behind RVP.

9. Sergio Aguero

Very tough choice between him and Falcao.

10. Xabi Alonso

Second only to Xavi in his role.

11. Wayne Rooney

England's finest.

12. Wesley Schneijder

I don't care which league he plays in, he's one of the elite, end of.

13. Gareth Bale

Could he be the finest ever one footed midfielder?

14. Cesc Fabregas

Distribution and ball control will never be in question.

15. Marco Reus

Can do everything.

16. Vincent Kompany

When on the field he often shows why he is the best defender in the world.

17. Sergio Ramos

A true legend for Real.

18. Bastian Schweinsteiger

Pivotal to the way Bayern/Germany play.

19. Neymar

Skills to burn, will be much higher in the future.

20. Juan Mata

Similar to David Silva but not quite as good.


Honorable mentions go to:

Frank Lampard Rene Adler Arda Turan Eden Hazard Robert Lewandowski Dani Alves Gianluca Buffon Andrea Pirlo Pepe Antonio Cassano

 

Fixed that for you

 

Rooney seems to have done very well

 

I'd like to see Vidic at least mentioned

 

Vidic

 

As much as I hate him, does Suarez not make that list?

I ain't watched City much this year but I'm not sure Silva is having his best season

 

You've gone quite similar to the Guardian's list I see

Mine-

01. Seb Rajalakso
02. Messi
03. Ronaldo
04. Iniesta
05. Xavi
06. Van Persie
07. Aguero
08. Mata
09. Ozil
10. Robben
11. Mignolet
12. Silva
13. Ibrahimovic
14. Tevez
15. Bastian Schweinsteiger
16. Lahm
17. Howedes
18. Mandzukic
19. Pirlo
20. Sissokoooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Players who I think are essentially quick piles of cack who've done nothing worthy of being declared "world class" because they compete in a pile of piss league and do bugger all against good teams - Neymar, Falcao...

 

Falcao? He plays in the strongest league in Europe at the moment (the same one as a lot on your list). And he's scored plenty of big goals against big teams.

Not sure if you're being sarcastic or not to be honest!

 

What about Shola?

 

No matter what Sky Sports will have you believe, Gareth Bale is nowhere near the top 20. Maybe he scrapes into the top 50

 

The Spanish league is not the strongest league in the world. It might have a lot of technically adept players, but it's still weak as piss. Messi etc only make it due to their immense performances versus genuinely strong european teams

And I think Falcao's vastly overrated, just like Neymar, although the latter more so....

Checklist for Brazilian strikers-

Is he fast-ish- Check
Is he stronger than the weakest defenders on earth- Check
Is he a reasonable finisher when given all the time in the world- Check

By god, he must be Pele reincarnated!

Falcao's just not impressed me much when I've seen him play, and most people who do go nuts over him seem to have never seen him in their lives. He's good, no question, but until he does it for one of the best teams in the world, he ain't getting in my list

 

I think naming a definitive top 20 is a fool's task, so many people will disagree. No-one will be 'right' as it's all down to opinion and, in my own, depends on too many variables. Only concrete list you could make is the top two, Ronaldo and Messi.

And is Ronaldo being good in the air really a surprise? A 6ft + players with the body of Adonis?

 

Falcao is as Columbian as the coffee currently in my Scooby Doo mug.

Suarez is bordering the top 50 and I did shamefully forget Hamsik and Cavani, Vidic only misses out because his injuries.

 

But how many "wing wizards" are that good in the air?

 

Have to admit I like bale a lot. It's a shame he is covered in Sky jizz all the time.

 

I knew someone would think I thought he was Brazilian when I posted that, but I was too lazy to bother making it beyond explicit... My bad!

I was referring to Neymar.

 

If somebody buys Neymar and gives him the "False number 9" role in the next couple of years he may well be unstoppable.

 

I just can't see it. I think if he played in the premier league, he'd be shrugged off the ball and pushed around all game and he'd eventually throw a hissy fit and leave like Robinho. That's why he should head to piss-weak Spain where defenders are nothing but extra midfielders in disguise, let the myth of his talent grow a bit more, then either make a quick stop at one of the Milans, or simply go straight back to Brazil aged 28 as a big fat pie.

 

I think Messi is the greatest player ever (Certainly the greatest ive ever seen) but bar him and Ronaldo and a few others I think the standard of "elite" footballers has took a significant drop in the last 10-15 years!

 

What about Robben and Ribery? Sure they had a couple of years off form, but they've recently started to play at their best again and Bayern are annihilating everyone!

Robben and Ribery are both in the top 20.

And I don't think there's that much between Ineista and Xavi.