5. Andres Iniesta (Barcelona)
The Spaniard seemingly glides across the pitch with the ball stuck to his feet. Iniesta is the master of subtlety, springing passes from nowhere and turning up unannounced. Still only 28, Iniesta is the creative spark in the Barcelona side that suddenly unlocks defences who dare to sit back and invite the Catalan giants forward.
4. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (PSG)
The leader of the Qatari-backed revolution at PSG, Ibrahimovic has instantly adapted to life in Ligue 1. The Swede proved himself capable of turning it on against top opposition with a sublime volleyed-lob during his country’s friendly with England. Technically-gifted, powerful, creative and with a penchant for the spectacular, Ibrahimovic has it all.
3. Gareth Bale (Tottenham)
The Welsh winger has dazzled this year with some scintillating performances for his side in the Premier League and Europa League. Bale looks certain for a move to Europe’s elite with Barcelona, Real Madrid and PSG all announcing their interest in the player. Tottenham will be hoping to hang on to him for one more season as they look to have another crack at the Champions League but they may be powerless to resist an offer in excess of £50 million.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
The Portuguese sensation has been mesmerising since his arrival at the Bernabeu as he scores goal after goal from the left-wing for the Spanish giants. If he was playing at a different time to that of a certain Argentine, Ronaldo would be heralded as the undisputed best in the world, but he has had to play second fiddle to the Barcelona star in recent years.
1. Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Lionel Messi collected his fourth Balloon d’Or and has basically not taken his foot off the pedal since. Has netted in 17 straight La Liga matches and when all the talk was about Barcelona’s ‘blip’ the Argentine stepped up once again to put in a mouthwatering display against AC Milan to book his side’s spot in the Champions League quarter-finals.
If the mercurial attacker isn’t already worthy of the title of one of the best footballers to have ever played the game then it’s only a matter of time before he is heralded as THE best ever.