FourFourTwo reveals the best of the best.
Respected football magazine FourFourTwo has revealed the top 100 players in the world according to them. Here CaughtOffside brings you the juicy bits with the top 10 – which includes some surprising decisions.
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10. Arjen Robben, Bayern Munich and Netherlands
After his performances for club and country in 2014 many consider this winger to be a lot better rated than 10th in the world.
9. Angel di Maria, Manchester United and Argentina
Amazingly deemed not good enough by Real Madrid this midfielder is making a good start to life at Old Trafford following a British record £59.7m transfer.
8. Luis Suarez, FC Barcelona and Uruguay
After scoring an impressive 31 Premier League goals in 33 matches for Liverpool last season many would think this controversial forward should be higher placed as well.
7. Diego Costa, Chelsea and Spain
Having only truly shot to fame with Atletico Madrid last term with 36 goals in all competitions it may seem a little premature to rank this striker so highly – although Costa has been brilliant in England as well since a £32m move.
6. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paris Saint-Germain and Sweden
At 33-years-old Ibrahimovic can certainly now be considered a veteran of the game, but the attacker appears to be in the form of his life – which is saying something considering his career to date.
5. Gareth Bale, Real Madrid and Wales
Became the most expensive player of all time in 2013 after completing a £85.3m switch to Madrid and amazingly managed to live up to that expectation as Los Blancos won the Copa del Rey and Champions League.
4. Manuel Neuer, Bayern Munich and Germany
Recently named on the three-man shortlist for the Ballon d’Or award – which is only the second time a goalkeeper has been included – Neuer has had a brilliant year with Bayern and at the 2014 World Cup.
3. Lionel Messi, FC Barcelona and Argentina
For a player who has won the Ballon d’Or a record four successive times this is a surprisingly low inclusion for Messi, who although hasn’t won any silverware for a while, was named the best player at the World Cup.
2. Philipp Lahm, Bayern Munich and Germany
A more consistent player than Lahm it is hard to come by, with the 30-year-old adept at right-back, left-back and now central midfield and Pep Guardiola is a big fan of the versatile German.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid and Portugal
There are probably few that would begrudge this 29-year-old being top of the pile however, with Ronaldo winning the Ballon d’Or, Copa del Rey and Champions League this year and he continues to score goals for fun.