There are so many amazing, world-class soccer players that it is an almost impossible task to come up with the 10 best. However, after narrowing down the list and analyzing the qualities of hundreds of players, here are the current generation’s 10 best field players in order.
1. Lionel Messi, (Argentina, Barcelona)
A whirling dervish of a player, Messi is able to dribble the ball as if it is attached to his feet. In addition, his speed while dribbling the bull and changing direction is unprecedented in the modern game. The closest player that I have ever seen with such great balance, low center of gravity, speed, and ability to change direction with the ball is Maradona. Maradona told the BBC, “Messi is the best player in the world, he is very similar to me.” Born in 1987, Messi surely has several highlights to come on the grand stage.
FIFA Team of the Year 2007-2008, UEFA Champions League Top Scorer 2008-2009
Height = 5 feet 6 inches, Weight = 147 pounds, Born = June 24, 1987
2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Real Madrid)
The overall game of Cristiano Ronaldo has continued to grow and grow. Initially, just a very fast, technical player with wonderful step-over moves, he has developed an amazing all-around game with a powerful outside shot, solid defensive work, great movement off the ball, vision, and world class passing. Manchester United’s long time coach, Alex Ferguson, told the press on July 21, 2009 that, “Cristiano Ronaldo is the best in the world and streets ahead of Kaka and Messi.”
Height = 6 feet 1 inches, Weight = 165 pounds, Born = February 5, 1985
3. Kaka (Brazil, Real Madrid)
As fluid a player as you will ever see, Kaka was born to play soccer. Kaka makes playing look effortless with his easy touch on the ball, great passing and interchange with other players, and overall field generalship. While Kaka has the natural touch of a Brazilian, he also has the size and strength of a European player. Sometimes, Kaka just makes it look too easy.
FIFA World Player of the Year 2007, UEFA Team of the Year 2006, 2007
Height = 6 feet 1 inches, Weight = 165 pounds, Born = April 22, 1982
4. Fernando Torres (Spain, Liverpool)
With great pace, excellent control, great technique with both feet, supreme awareness, great balance, and scorer’s touch, Torres is the top center forward in the world. His national team coach Luis Aragones has stated, “Torres never scores two goals the same.
“Torres is always a threat when he runs in behind defenders,” said Torres’ manager at Liverpool, Rafael Benitez. His raw talent is so great that he could take over a whole international tournament such as an upcoming World Cup, Champions League, or Euro Championship.
EURO 2008 Best 11, FIFPro World XI = 2007-2008
Height = 6 feet 1 inches, Weight = 173 pounds, Born = March 20, 1984
5. Franck Ribery (France, Bayern Munich)
The legendary Frenchman Zidane has called Ribery, “The jewel of French football and way better than Ronaldo and Kaka.” With the look of a pirate due to his long facial scars from an automobile accident, Ribery is an all-around great player with great pace, technique, precise passing, work rate, defensive tactics, and tenacity. His fighting spirit just dominates a game.
UEFA Team of the Year = 2008, French Player of the Year 2007
Height = 5 feet 7 inches, Weight = 158 pounds, Born = April 7, 1983
6. John Terry (England, Chelsea)
Terry had all of the attributes of a great defender to include superior positioning, commanding in the air, hard in the tackle, strong work rate, and extremely competitive. In addition, Terry is very confident on the ball and extremely dangerous at the other end by scoring goals off of set pieces. One of the most natural leaders in soccer, Terry has long been captain of his club and national teams.
World Cup 2006 Best XI, UEFA Team of the Year 2005, 2007, 2008
Height = 6 feet 2 inches, Weight = 175 pounds, Born = December 7, 1980
7. Steven Gerrard (England, Liverpool)
An extremely versatile player, Gerrard is simply a force of nature on the soccer pitch. An all-around player with great offensive and defensive skills, Gerrard’s deep runs through the midfield are simply impossible to cover. Gerrard’s motor is constantly running and he is dangerous anywhere on the pitch due to his outstanding shot from distance and ability to distribute through passes over distance.
FIFPRo World XI 2006-2008, UEFA Team of the Year 2005, 2006, 2007
Height = 6 feet, Weight = 180 pounds, Born = May 30, 1980
8. Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast, Chelsea)
Drogba is such a menace as a forward up top and a nightmare to defend. Chasing after every ball and always seeming to come up with one, Drogba is able to score both ugly and beautiful goals. Extremely athletic, with great touch and pace, Drogba would start at forward for any club or national team in the world. An expert at scoring on the biggest occasion and stage, Drogba is “the man” at coming through for his team.
UEFA Top Scorer = 2004, African Footballer of the Year = 2006
Height = 6 feet 2 inches, Weight = 200 pounds, Born = March 11, 1978
9. Rio Ferdinand (England, Manchester United)
A very talented player, Ferdinand always looks like he is one of the best players on the pitch. Although not flashy, his positioning, defensive marking, tackling, heading, and pace makes him one of the best defenders in the world. Whether it is the English Premier League, UEFA Champions League, or World Cup, Ferdinand always shows well as a defender and is one of the best players in every competition.
FIFPro World XI = 2007-2008, EPL Best XI 2001-2009
Height = 6 feet 3 inches, Weight = 180 pounds, Born = March 11, 1978
10. Sergio Ramos (Spain, Real Madrid)
A versatile defender that is comfortable playing anywhere in the defense, Ramos is know n for his vigorous defending and ability to make runs into the attack. With a tremendous work rate, Ramos is able to contribute heavily to the attack while maintaining and excelling at his defensive responsibilities.
FIFA Team of the Year 2008, UEFA Team of the Year
Height = 6 feet, Weight = 160 pounds, Born = March 30, 1986
To make this amazing squad into an actual starting formation, the best strategy would be to go with a 3-5-2 formation. The defense would be Ferdinand on the left, Terry in the middle, and Ramos on the right. The midfield would include a central midfield pairing of Ribery, Kaka, and Gerrard. The outside midfielders would be Messi and Ronaldo. The forwards would be Drogba and Torres.
