After a lot of brain-racking, Joshua Noble has managed to nail down the top ten creative talents in world football at the moment, players who have that magical eye, and that magical foot to back it up!
There are some special abilities that we are trying to appreciate here: the ability to play that pass we can only picture inside our heads; to bring the crowd to the edge of their seats, uncertain of what they are going to deliver next. These are the players the beautiful game craves for. These are the exponents football thrives on.
10. Juninho - Lyon
One of the most consistent players in European Football, at the grand age of 30, Juninho may not have the pace of other players in Europe, but he certainly has the skill. Juninho is a useful addition to a successful Lyon side. His ability to get the play moving, combined with his audacious free kicks makes him a force to be reckoned with in European Football.
9. Ricardo Quaresma – Porto
Many predicted that “Mustang” was a potential star of the future. The man to fill Luis Figo’s boots once his legendry career had drawn to a close. He was on his way to following Figo’s career as he moved from Sporting Lisbon to Barcelona for a fee of €6,000,000. Ironically Luis Figo made the same move at the same stage of his career. Unfortunatley for Ricardo his stint at Barca did not evolve as he would have liked.
After a dire stay at the Nou Camp, Quaresma was used in a make-weight deal for Porto’s Deco and became an instant fan favourite at the Estádio do Dragão. Fans became drawn in by his sizzling skills, wide range of passing and his unique outside of foot curling shots. These traits insure that Quaresma will not be plying his trade in Portugal for much longer.
8. Diego – Werder Breman
After signing for one of the most successful youth systems in Brazil, Diego was destined to be a star. He debuted for Santos at the tender age of 16, and scouts from across Europe quickly became aware of Diego’s potential. He starred alongside best friend Robinho in the Campeonato Brasileiro and the Copa Libertadores. Robinho left for Madrid, and he headed for Porto. He blessed the Dragao with his ability to use either foot, his goals, and important assists. But after scoring the winner against Chelsea in the Champions League, the goals and the games dried up for Diego.
Werder Berman were quick to snap up the Brazilian playmaker; he signed for Thomas Schaaf’s title challengers in the summer of 2006. Not everyone was convinced that he was capable of filling the void left by Johan Micoud, but he silenced his critics with a great performance against Hannover 96 as he collected 1 goal and 2 assists. He capped off the month by winning the Bundesliga player of the month award. Fans now are in awe of Diego, and feel that his valuable through balls for Miroslav Klose are one of the reasons why Werder are performing so well in the Bundesliga (despite some recent disappointments). No wonder Inter are keeping a close eye on the Brazilian.
7. Xavi Hernandez - Barcelona
After growing up in Terrasa, Catalonia, Barcelona was always going to be close to Xavi’s heart. Or was it? Hernandez family were die-hard Espanyol supporters, but this did not block his path through Barcelona. Xavi was a rare talent. His pass selection and maturity were far beyond his years. His talent, Barcelona could not refuse, and his passage through to the 1st team was quick and succesful. Hernandez was the key player in the Barcelona B side which won promotion to the Spanish Segunda league. After shining for the youths he was given his debut under the legendary Louis Van Gaal in 1998 . He grasped his opportunity with both hands and quickly made himself a key player at the Camp Nou.
After learning from the likes of Guardiola, Xavi has become an even better player, and is the unsung hero that makes Barcelona really tick. Well, not quite under-rated, as any coach or tactical pundit is quick to acknowledge his efforts. Rafa Benitez himself put it best, surprising the press by saying that stopping Xavi, not Ronaldinho, Deco or Eto'o, was the key to making Barcelona look ordinary. His uncomplicated style, an incredible number of completed passes, and the ability to thread that perfect ball through make him one of the bery best.
6. Francesco Totti – AS Roma
With 21 goals in 30 games, Totti is a vital member of an inexperienced Roma side. The Olimpico is blessed with Totti’s class whenever he pulls on the their jersey. Being Roma fan himself, fans have been able to appreciate Totti more, knowing that whenever he plays, he will do so with his heart, and give one hundred percent. He is one of Roma's most recognised players ever. Despite being linked with the likes of Real Madrid and Milan in the past, Totti has chosen to commit himself to Roma. Totti plays just behind the strikers or in a role known as the trequartistaa, a compromise between the two positions, where the player acts as a link between midfield and attack. His wicked free kicks, consistent passing, and overall team play make him worthy of this spot.
5. Cesc Fabregas – Arsenal
Another one of Wenger’s gems. The Catalan kid arrived at Arsenal in January of 2003 after capturing the Adidas Golden Boot and Golden ball (best player) at the Fifa U-17 World Championship where Spain finished 2nd to a star-studded Brazilian line-up. Fabregas debuted for the Gunners against Rotherham United at the age of 16 and 177 day. Soon after Cesc made himself Arsenal’s youngest ever goalscorer, converting with an easy tap in against Wolves in a 5-1 victory over the Midlands club. After Patrick Viera’s sudden departure from Highbury, Cesc quickly made himself a first team regular. With strong performances against Real Madrid and Juventus, Cesc put himself on the radar for many of Europe's elite. But he wasn’t going to go that easily. Although Fabregas has never been a consistent goalscorer, his excellent vision and defence splitting 'through balls' make him an indispensable player for both club and country.
4. Lionel Messi - Barcelona
What’s left to say about 'little Maradona'? His claim to fame was a superb pre-season friendly against Juventus almost two years ago, when he mesmerised Fabio Capello into asking for a loan move. Then, he dazzled at the Bernabeu on that night that saw Ronaldinho earn a standing ovation. Of course, the hat-trick against Real Madrid earlier this year means that he will not be forgotten at the White House for quite some time. After a stunning goal against Getafe that freshened memories of Maradona’s goal against England, the Barcelona number 19 looka as he though he may just be starting to live up to Diego Maradona’s legendery status.
In a team packed with talents such as Iniesta, Fabregas, Messi had been able to outshine the Catalan pack in the Barcelona B side. Believed to be the next star of world football, Messi’s release clause is not cheap. Massimo Moratti expressed his interest in making the Argentine whiz kid an Inter Milan player. But his bid came to an unsurprising ending as he could not match Messi’s €150 million buy out clause. Of course, Messi himself was unwilling to make the switch to the San Siro. At the age of eleven, he had been diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency. However this did not halt Messi’s blistering progress as Barcelona paid for his expensive medication, and made sure he had the best of the facilities. Now, he wants to faithfully play his dues to the Catalan giants.
3. Ronaldinho – Barcelona
Although Lionel Messi has been drawing the plaudits of late, Ronaldinho remains the key figure for Barcelona. In 2006 big things were expected of the Brazilian international, but he failed to deliver on the showpiece stage. His Brazilian side were tipped by many to regain the World Cup in Berlin, but a combination of poor coaching and little teamwork cost them their chance to reach their 2002 heights. Many were starting to wonder, if Ronaldinho really was the best player in the world! Could he deliver on the big stage (he had just won the La Liga and Champions League double, mind you)?
The answer, still, was a firm yes. Although Barcelona’s success this season has been very average, Ronaldinho has stepped up in Samuel Etoo's absence, leading Barcelona this season with 17 goals. What really lights up the Nou Camp is when Ronaldinho runs at people sending them one way while he goes the other, or looking one way and passing the other. His fantastic scoring ability, beautiful ball skills and ever improving teamwork just about complete him. In an average season by his standards, he has scored over 20 goals and created numerous others. Remember, form is temporary, but class is permanent.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo – Manchester United
After becoming the 1st man since Andy Gray to win the PFA double, Ronaldo is on his way to taking Manchester United and Portugal to a new level. In 2003 Sir Alex Ferguson signed Ronaldo for £12.24 million, an expensive evaluation but boy did it pay off for the Manchester United manager! On the opening day of the season, Manchester United entertained a physical Bolton side. Ronaldo came on as an early sub., but was still able to cope with the quick physical side of the English game. Come the end, he was named man of the match. After a good season for the Red Devils, he was called up for the Euro 2004 Portugal squad. As Ronaldo played alongside Figo, it was obvious he was going to replace him as Portugal’s standout player. Unfortunately for Ronaldo his tricks could not stop underdogs Greece lifting the trophy in Lisbon, beating Portugal twice on the way. Ronaldo returned the next season, and so did his plaudits.
He was able to keep a lid on his fashionable tricks, but still produced them at the right times. Every season Ronaldo has become more consistent but none more than this one. After an ugly world cup, Ronaldo’s reputation was crumbling as many believed that his 'cheating' resulted in England’s exit. Clearly unsettled and fearing for his life, Ronaldo’s representatives tried to engineer a move for the stepover superhero. Ronaldo was not short of suiters. Real Madrid, Valencia and other giants of the game lined up for the winger's signature, but the move failed as Sir Alex Ferguson stamped down on it. He returned to England, booed at every stadium he visited initially. But it appeared as though those boos inspried him. He had shown that he had the mental strength to thrive in the most hostile of situations. He has scored 22 goals for the Red Devils, which is quite an incredible record for a midfielder. Signed as Beckham’s heir, he brings class, goals and assists in plenty. Real Madrid were supposedly lining up a £50 million bid for the Manchester United winger. That went into the bin as he signed a new deal with the now Premiership champions. Lucky United!
1. Kaka – Ac Milan
The semi-final tie between Manchester United and Milan was labelled the clash of the two best players in the world, Ronaldo and Kaka. This year it has been hard to separate these two devastating talents but over two legs, it was clear that one was there, while the other had some distance to go. After Shevchenko’s departure to West London, Milan looked to Kaka to guide the allegedly ageing Rossoneri. And he has done just that! After AC Milan’s point deduction the team in red and black’s season was in danger. But Kaka has been able to shed some light on a relatively dark Milan side.
Despite their recent success, he has papered over quite a few short-comings, and any half-honest Milan fan will agree. Their season’s form had been up and down as they raced towards clinching fourth place in Serie A. Thanks to his goals (mostly solo efforts) and assists, Milan have battled through the Champions League, and find themselves with a great chance of making it seven European Cups. You know that if Kaka is on form, there is surely only one winner. Ballon d'Or, here he comes!
Clipped from : www.goal.com
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