Players who defined football in 2014 – see if you agree!
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14) Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich)
A player who in 2014 truly estbalished himself as a goalkeeping great, Manuel Neuer won another Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich and also guided Germany to World Cup victory in Brazil. Now a contender for the Ballon d’Or in a much-deserved show of recognition for the shot-stopper.
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13) Neymar (Barcelona)
Brazil’s golden boy as they hosted the World Cup this summer, Neymar didn’t disappoint on the big stage as he put in some fine displays for an otherwise poor Brazil side, who missed him badly in their semi-final humiliation at the hands of Germany.
12) Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)
One of the most improved players in the Premier League in recent times, Aaron Ramsey is no doubt a player who was looking like guiding Arsenal to a surprise title victory at the start of last season. In the end he was badly missed through injury at the start of this calendar year, though he came back just in time to fire home the winner for the Gunners in the FA Cup final, ending their long wait for silverware.
11) Raheem Sterling (Liverpool)
Another player who rose to prominence this year was Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling, who now looks one of the best emerging talents in Europe. The England international, 20, came so close to inspiring the Reds to a surprise title win with some sensational form towards the end of last season.
10) Luis Suarez (Barcelona)
From his mesmerising displays in the Premier League for Liverpool, to his brace against England, to his THIRD bite offence at the World Cup for Uruguay, to his huge £75m transfer to Barcelona, it has truly been a big year for Luis Suarez, who is now coming into his own at the Nou Camp after missing the start of the new season through suspension.
9) Angel Di Maria (Manchester United)
A key player for Real Madrid in their memorable Champions League winning campaign, Angel Di Maria is now starring at new club Manchester United, having become the most expensive signing ever made by a British club at £59.7m.
8) Diego Costa (Chelsea)
A striker who really burst onto the scene last season, Diego Costa’s superb form in La Liga helped fire Atletico Madrid to the title and to the final of the Champions League, where he downed current club Chelsea on his way. The Spaniard is now on fire in the Premier League and has to go down as one of the signings of the summer.
7) Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
Another Premier League new-boy having a huge impact, Alexis Sanchez looked like becoming a top player for Barcelona last season despite the team’s poor performances overall. However, after a fine World Cup with Chile, he was surprisingly sold and became a rare big-name and big-money signing for Arsenal, who are now enjoying his awesome goalscoring displays at the Emirates Stadium.
6) James Rodriguez (Real Madrid)
Top scorer at this summer’s World Cup with some magic performances, there’s no doubt James Rodriguez stole the tournament with Colombia, which then earned him a big-money move to Real Madrid, where he has become the latest in the long line of ‘Galacticos’.
5) Miroslav Klose (Lazio)
A player with a long and great career already, Miroslav Klose starred in yet another World Cup for Germany this summer, becoming the all-time leading scorer in the competition whilst finally picking up a winners’ medal as his country beat Argentina in the final.
4) Mario Gotze (Bayern Munich)
A player now becoming a more consistent performer at club level for Bayern Munich, Mario Gotze announced himself on the world stage this summer with a superb goal in extra time to deliver World Cup glory to Germany as they edged Argentina 1-0.
3) Yaya Toure (Manchester City)
Despite a slightly more underwhelming second part of the year, there’s no doubt that Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure contributed greatly to this year with his awesome one-man shows for the club last season as he almost single-handedly guided them to glory in the Premier League and Capital One Cup, scoring many memorable solo goals along the way.
2) Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
During a year in which he has supposedly looked past his best, Lionel Messi has reached a World Cup final, become the all-time leading scorer in La Liga, the Champions League, El Clasico and for Barcelona in general. Although every year seems to be about Messi, this has certainly been another highly memorable one in the career of the Argentine legend.
1) Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
With more goals than ever, Cristiano Ronaldo looks like getting better and better as 2015 approaches, and he has arguably outshone Messi this year with some truly sensational displays, helping Real Madrid to victory in the Champions League to win his second winners’ medal in the competition. More prizes could soon be on their way for the Portuguese powerhouse.