Three Chelsea players, two Tottenham Hotspur men and two of Manchester City’s title winners also make the list.
30. Jan Vertonghen
Age: 27
Position: Defender
Club: Tottenham Hotspur
Nationality: Belgian
29. Nicolas Gaitan
Age: 26
Position: Winger
Club: Benfica
Nationality: Argentine
28. Lukas Podolski
Age: 29
Position: Forward
Club: Arsenal
Nationality: Germany
27. Eliaquim Mangala
Age: 23
Position: Defender
Club: Porto
Nationality: French
26. Blaise Matuidi
Age: 27
Position: Midfielder
Club: Paris Saint-Germain
Nationality: French
25. Olivier Giroud
Age: 27
Position: Forward
Club: Arsenal
Nationality: French
24. Jordi Alba
Age: 25
Position: Full-back
Club: Barcelona
Nationality: Spanish
23. Hulk
Age: 27
Position: Forward
Club: Zenit Saint Petersburg
Nationality: Brazil
22. Alvaro Negredo
Age: 28
Position: Forward
Club: Manchester City
Nationality: Spanish
Age: 27
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Tottenham Hotspur
Nationality: French
20. Dante
Age: 30
Position: Defender
Club: Bayern Munich
Nationality: Brazilian
Age: 25
Position: Midfielder
Club: Chelsea
Nationality: Serbia
18. Leighton Baines
Age: 29
Position: Full-back
Club: Everton
Nationality: English
Age: 26
Position: Midfielder
Club: VfL Wolfsburg
Nationality: Brazilian
16. Mesut Ozil
Age: 25
Position: Midfielder
Club: Arsenal
Nationality: German
15. Jack Wilshere
Age: 22
Position: Midfielder
Club: Arsenal
Nationality: English
14. Daniel Sturridge
Age: 24
Position: Forward
Club: Liverpool
Nationality: English
Age: 26
Position: Midfielder
Club: Manchester United
Nationality: Spanish
12. Kwadwo Asamoah
Age: 25
Position: Wing-back
Club: Juventus
Nationality: Ghanian
Age: 22
Position: Winger
Club: Bayern Munich
Nationality: Swiss
10. Thibaut Courtois
Age: 22
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Chelsea
Nationality: Belgian
Age: 21
Position: Forward
Club: Chelsea
Nationality: Belgian
8. Giorgio Chiellini
Age: 29
Position: Defender
Club: Juventus
Nationality: Italian
Age: 22
Position: Full-back
Club: Bayern Munich
Nationality: Austrian
6. Angel di Maria
Age: 26
Position: Winger
Club: Real Madrid
Nationality: Argentine
Age: 26
Position: Full-back
Club: Real Madrid
Nationality: Brazilian
Roberto Carlos believes that Marcelo is the best left-back in the world. We agree.
Marcelo is solid defensively and brilliant going forward. He helped turn the Champions League final in Real’s favour after coming off the bench.
Age: 28
Position: Midfield
Club: Manchester City
Nationality: Spanish
Silva has been one of the main factors behind Manchester City’s two Premier League title triumphs.
In the past three seasons, he has scored 17 league goals and provided 32 assists.
Age: 24
Position: Winger
Club: Real Madrid
Nationality: Welsh
Bale began his professional life as a left-back, but he has developed into one of the best attackers in the world.
He has the ability to create something out of nothing and can win games all by himself, as he frequently did towards the end of his Tottenham Hotspur career.
Age: 30
Position: Winger
Club: Bayern Munich
Nationality: Dutch
Robben is one of the fastest players in the world, but there is much more to his game than just raw pace.
His close control at high speed is incredible and his final ball, be it a cross, pass or shot, is truly top notch.
Age: 27
Position: Forward
Club: Barcelona
Nationality: Argentine
Four-time World Player of the Year Messi tops this list with no questions asked.
The little master, who turns 27 later this month, is Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer with 354 goals.
