The 50 best players from across Europe in 2012/13.
50. Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich)
Often thought of as a slightly wasted talent, the French winger has made a great contribution to Bayern Munich’s all-conquering team this season. With 8 goals and 10 assists, his skill and trickery when running with the ball have made him an important weapon in the Bayern attack as they won the Bundesliga title in record time and thrashed Barcelona en route to the Champions League final.
49. Diego (Wolsburg)
The Brazilian midfielder is statistically one of the best playmakers in Europe this season, and has 9 goals in the Bundesliga to boot. Despite Diego’s great form, his club Wolsburg have struggled in the league, which could mean the 28-year-old former Juventus man makes a return to a top club in the near future.
48. Arturo Vidal (Juventus)
The Chilean midfielder has impressed again for the Italian giants as they look like retaining their Serie A title. With 9 goals, 7 assists and a pass accuracy of 87.4%, Vidal is an all-round box-to-box midfielder and an important cog in the Juventus machine. His form has not gone unnoticed and Manchester United are looking into signing the player.
47. Stefan Kießling (Bayer Leverkusen)
One of many talented players coming from Germany at the moment, Kießling has shone this season and finds himself among Europe’s top scorers, with 23 goals. More than just a target man, the 6″3 striker has been essential to Bayer Leverkusen’s impressive season in the Bundesliga.
46. Andrea Pirlo (Juventus)
One of the finest playmakers in the game, Andrea Pirlo continues to sparkle despite his age. After a title win with Juventus last season and an eye-catching performance at Euro 2012 with Italy, the former AC Milan man has had another fine season and looks to be a champion once again in Serie A.
45. Michu (Swansea City)
The little-known Spaniard was signed by Swansea City from Rayo Vallecano for just £2million and has been a revelation in his first season in the Premier League. 17 goals in the league have helped the Swans to the top half of the table and a few more in the Capital One Cup have earned his side some surprise silverware. Will surely be a target for bigger clubs now after this breakthrough campaign.
44. Rafael Da Silva (Manchester United)
Brazilian right-back Rafael has come into his own for Manchester United this season, forming an important part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s title-winning team. As well as being solid defensively, the 22-year-old has an eye for an assist and the occasional spectacular goal, with tremendous and important strikes against Liverpool and QPR.
43. Leighton Baines (Everton)
The Everton man has shown himself to be a real talent with his performances this season. With his excellent left foot, Baines has at many points during the season been Europe’s most accurate crosser and creator of most scoring chances for his team-mates. A regular England spot and transfer to a bigger club surely beckons if his form continues like this.
42. Mario Goetze (Borussia Dortmund)
The talented German playmaker may not be so popular with his own fans now after confirming he will be leaving Borussia Dortmund for rivals Bayern Munich at the end of the season, but there’s no doubting his ability and contribution to their achievements this season, with an incredible run to the Champions League final at Wembley.
41. Marek Hamsik (Napoli)
The Napoli star often goes unnoticed due to the presence of Edinson Cavani at the club, but Hamsik is a crucial part of the team and one of the best midfielders in Europe at the moment. Joint top with Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta on assists (14) this season, the Slovakian playmaker continues to develop into a fine player.
40. Santi Cazorla (Arsenal)
Santi Cazorla has had an excellent debut season in English football with Arsenal since joining from Malaga. The Spaniard has reached double figures in both goals and assists and many other top clubs may be scratching their heads as to how they missed out on the 28-year-old.
39. Andre Schurrle (Bayer Leverkusen)
The exciting winger has impressed for Bayer Leverkusen this season and attracted the interests of Chelsea. Still only 22, he has an exciting future and could move for big money sooner rather than later.
38. Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund)
After signing from Borussia Mönchengladbach, Marco Reus has done brilliantly to replace the departing Shinji Kagawa at Borussia Dortmund. The exciting forward is one of many young talents coming through in Germany at the moment and may not be at Dortmund for long if the likes of Manchester City have their way.
37. Yaya Toure (Manchester City)
Manchester City may not have had their best season in attempting to retain the Premier League title, but Yaya Toure remains a Premier League star, driving forward from midfield with both power and skill. With an eye for an important goal as well, the Ivorian is certainly a player who any club would want in their team.
36. Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich)
It’s hard to believe Thomas Muller is still only 23, as his maturity and professionalism is a vital part of Bayern Munich’s immense success this season. After scoring in the Champions League semi-final thrashing of Barcelona, Muller will be hoping for a richly-deserved winner’s medal.
35. Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
After arriving with much hype to Chelsea from Lille this summer, the young Belgian hasn’t disappointed. 9 goals and 9 assists in the Premier League earned him a nomination for PFA Player of the Year.
34. Christian Benteke (Aston Villa)
Like Michu, Christian Benteke arrived pretty much unnoticed from Genk in the summer, but has gone on to be a hit with Aston Villa. His goals and assists should be enough to keep his side in the Premier League almost single-handedly. Paul Lambert will now be fighting off the bids for his star player in the summer.
33. Stephan El Shaarawy (AC Milan)
Still only 20, El Shaarawy is one of the most exciting young talents in the world and currently the third highest scorer in Serie A with 18 goals for AC Milan, many of them of exceptional quality.
32. Thiago Silva (PSG)
The former Milan defender moved for big money to PSG, but hasn’t disappointed, establishing himself as one of the most solid and reliable centre-backs in the world.
31. Francesco Totti (Roma)
Like Pirlo, a classy Italian who just seems to get better with age. The 36-year-old has been in fantastic form for Roma this season, becoming Serie A’s second highest goalscorer of all time with 226 career goals.
30. Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham)
The classy defender has really shone in his first season in England since arriving at Tottenham from Ajax. Showing that total football is alive and well in Amsterdam, the Belgian combines great defensive awareness with skill and composure in attack too, contributing six goals from the back.
29. Marouane Fellaini (Everton)
Another Premier League star from Belgium, Fellaini has really impressed for Everton this year with 12 goals from midfield, helping David Moyes’ side to a fight for a Champions League place.
28. Raphael Varane (Real Madrid)
One of the most talented young defenders in the game made his breakthrough for Spanish giants Real Madrid this season. Raphael Varane looks a star in the making after some imposing displays against rivals Barcelona.
27. Etienne Capoue (Toulouse)
The Toulouse midfielder is on the radar of many top clubs after a great season in Ligue 1. A tough defensive midfielder, he looks to have a bright future in the game.
26. Riccardo Montolivo (AC Milan)
The former Fiorentina man has not disappointed since his big move to Milan, showing himself to be another Andrea Pirlo in the making.
25. Theo Walcott (Arsenal)
His best season yet for Arsenal, Theo Walcott has weighed in with 20 goals and 14 assists in all competitions, helping ease the pain of Robin van Persie’s departure.
24. Mario Mandzukic (Bayern Munich)
After an impressive Euro 2012, the Croatian striker has maintained his fine form at the head of Bayern Munich’s impressive attack, with 19 goals.
23. Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona)
Despite a slightly disappointing year at Barcelona, Cesc Fabregas has 13 goals and 11 assists in all competitions for the Catalans, who for a while were running away with La Liga before a late-season slump. The former Arsenal man should still win the first league title of his career.
22. Angelo Ogbonna (Torino)
The young Italian defender has been immense for Serie A side Torino this year, catching the eye of several top clubs such as AC Milan, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool.
21. Mesut Ozil (Real Madrid)
The Real Madrid playmaker is one of the most polished attacking midfielders in the game, and despite a slightly disappointing year at Real, the German has continued to shine with his individual displays.
20. Andres Iniesta (Barcelona)
Leading Europe’s assist charts with 14, Iniesta remains one of the best playmakers in the game. Despite some poor recent form from the whole Barcelona team, the Spaniard was helping his team-mates thrash all before them earlier in the season.
19. Thibault Courtois (Atletico Madrid)
Chelsea will have a selection headache next season when Thibault Courtois returns from his loan spell at Atletico Madrid. The Belgian shot-stopper looks an excellent prospect and could even force Petr Cech out of the team.
18. Michael Carrick (Manchester United)
A surprise for some as a nominee for PFA Player of the Year, but Michael Carrick has had one of his best seasons and played an important part in Manchester United’s title triumph.
17. Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
Liverpool may not be what they used to be, but inspirational captain Steven Gerrard shows no signs of slowing down. With 9 goals and 9 assists this term, the 32-year-old is still one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.
16. Hernanes (Lazio)
The Brazilian midfielder has lit up Serie A this season with some fantastic displays and stunning long range strikes. A star in the making, Hernanes has emerged as a target for Manchester City.
15. David De Gea (Manchester United)
After an uncertain first season with Manchester United, David De Gea is finally living up to his potential, and has shown himself to be a top goalkeeper with his displays this season.
14. Burak Yilmaz (Galatasaray)
A target for Arsenal and Manchester United, exciting Turkish striker Burak Yilmaz has been in excellent goalscoring form for Galatasaray this season, with 28 goals.
13. Julian Draxler (Schalke)
This exciting 19-year-old is surely set for a big move this summer after some great performances for Schalke this season. The youngster has struck 12 times for the Bundesliga side.
12. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (PSG)
The third-highest scorer in Europe, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has shone at yet another club after joining PSG from AC Milan. His displays should earn himself yet another league title in yet another country in his illustrious career.
11. Stevan Jovetic (Fiorentina)
The Montenegro forward has caught the eye for Fiorentina this season, being among the top scorers in Serie A and helping his side challenge for a Champions League place. Wanted by both Arsenal and Manchester City.
10. Luis Suarez (Liverpool)
Until his controversial biting incident and subsequent ten-match ban, Luis Suarez was being talked about as one of the best players in the Premier League. His talent is obvious and he’ll be a player to fear if he sorts out his attitude.
9. Juan Mata (Chelsea)
An exceptionally skillful player, Juan Mata has really staked his claim for a place in Spain’s star-studded national side with his performances for Chelsea this season.
8. Robert Lewandowski (Borussia Dortmund)
The Polish striker is the top scorer in the Bundesliga this season after another great year with Borussia Dortmund. His recent individual excellence was highlighted with four goals in the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid.
7. Isco (Malaga)
One of the most sought-after young talents in the world, 21-year-old Isco has earned rave reviews at Malaga this season, and is surely set for a big money move, with PSG, Manchester City and Chelsea all fighting for his signature.
6. Edinson Cavani (Napoli)
One of several who could quite rightly claim to be the best striker in the world, Edinson Cavani continues to get better and Napoli won’t be able to keep hold of the Uruguayan goal machine for much longer.
5. Gareth Bale (Tottenham)
Voted both PFA and Writers’ Player of the Year in the Premier League this season, the Welsh wing wizard could become one of the most expensive players of all time this summer, with Real Madrid willing to pay £65million for the Spurs star.
4. Robin van Persie (Manchester United)
After an excellent season with Arsenal, Robin van Persie made a shock move to Manchester United and has not disappointed. The lethal Dutchman has been excellent and helped fire his new team to the title.
3. Radamel Falcao (Atletico Madrid)
Falcao has continued to get better and better and is regarded by some as the most deadly finisher in world football. Atletico Madrid will struggle to keep the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Real Madrid from signing their star player.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Although Real Madrid have not had their best year, Ronaldo’s world class ability is still there for all to see, with an amazing 53 goals in 52 games this season.
1. Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Although this list is in no particular order for the most part, Lionel Messi is a deserved first place. Injuries have disrupted his season, but the Argentinian remains the best in the world and maybe the best of all time, with an incredible record of 58 goals in 48 games this season. Also joint second on assists this season with 12. An all-round amazing talent.