A Dozen The Greatest Footballers Today

There are masses of brilliant, talented footballers in our world today, but only a handful will make this list. These dozen footballers are held to the highest standards. Each footballer holds a different position on the pitch, and will be chosen to fulfill a 4-4-2 formation. I will be counting down to my most preferred footballers, feel free to leave some input.

12. Nemanja Vidic, Left Centre Back-I chose Nemanja Vidic as my twelfth favorite footballer and one of my centre backs for his sheer defensive assets. He has an amazing sense of awareness, captains the mighty Manchester United, and has won countless honors from the Serbian Football Association.  He is one of my favorite defenders because he is a brick wall that prevents the opponent from getting to the keeper.

Nemanja Vidic

11. Fábio Alexandre Silva Coentrão, Left Back-Fábio Coentrão is a fantastically versatile footballer that can manage left wingback, left midfielder, and center midfielder. Coentrão currently plays for Real Madrid and the Portuguese national team. What I admire in Coentrão the most is his speed and his ability to play almost anywhere on the pitch, where he can convert defense into attack rapidly. Coentrão also participated in the 2010 World Cup, and partook in the match in which Portugal thrashed North Korea 7-0.

Fabio Coentrao

10. Arjen Robben, Right Midfielder- Arjen Robben made tenth on my list for his phenomenal speed, and masterful use of cuts to avoid opposing defenders. Robben played in the 2010 FIFA World Cup Finals against Spain, where Netherlands were defeated 1-0. Robben was named Man of the Match in a 2-1 victory over Slovakia in the same World Cup. Arjen Robben has played for Chelsea and Real Madrid, two very prestigious club teams, and currently plays for Bayern Munich. It was his performance during the World Cup that left a lasting impression of his talents.

Arjen Robben

9. Sergio Ramos García, Right Back-One of the more adventurous defenders, Ramos is a well-rounded defender who can play any defensive position. Ramos has played for Sevilla FC, but was traded to Real Madrid in 2005 for 27 million Euros. Ramos is fast, dynamic, willing to take risks and a great defender. Ramos was a starting defender in every match during the 2010 World Cup. Sergio Ramos was alsofeatured in the 2008 film Goal II: Living the Dream.

 Sergio Ramos

8. Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, Substitute Right Centre Midfielder-Commonly known as Kaká, this Brazilian superstar is the second most expensive player in the world, and currently plays for Real Madrid. Kaká has many skills, including a mastery over passing, dominance in dribbling and know how to place the ball into the net as he pleases. Kaká is one of the more decorated footballers and won the Ballon d’Or in 2007.

Kaka

7. Iker Casillas Fernández, Goalkeeper- Casillas is my favorite goalkeeper because of his remarkable saves. Casillas grew up in the Real Madrid youth system and has onlyplayed for Real. Iker has the most appearances of Spain’s national team than any other Spanish footballer. Iker Casillas is the captain for Spain’s national team and held up the World Cup after Spain’s 1-0 victory over Netherlands. Casillas is also nicknamed “The Saint” for his two saves during penalties against the Republic of Ireland at the 2002 World Cup.

 Iker Casillas

6. Andrés Iniesta Luján, Right Centre Midfielder-Andrés Iniesta is an excellent passer and the only scorer in the FIFA 2010 World Cup Finals for Spain against Netherlands in a 1-0 win. I was thrilled when Iniesta scored because I had been rooting for Spain since the beginning of the tournament. Iniesta plays for FC Barcelona, regarded as the best club team in the world. Iniesta is known for his fast, pinpoint-accurate passes that always find their target, expert dribbling, vast vision and movements, and his ability to play anywhere in the midfield. Iniesta is a key component to Barcelona's performance.

Andres Iniesta

5. Xavier Hernandez i Creus, Left Centre Midfielder- Also from Spain and playing for Barcelona, Xavier, nicknamed Xavi,  is instrumental to both the Spanish National team and FC Barcelona. He is unrivaled in passing and could be called the best midfielder alive. He had a 90% pass completion rate in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, more than any other footballer. What I like about Xavi is his ability to keep his composure under fire, and make ridiculously accurate passes to set up goal-scoring opportunities.

Xavier Hernandez

4. Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, Left Midfielder- FIFA World Footballer of the Year in 2008, is  known as of the greatest footballers today. Currently the captain of the Portugal national team he has lead his country to many victories, including a 7-0 win against North Korea in the 2010 World Cup. Ronaldo is the most expensive footballer in the world, being sold to Madrid from Manchester United for £80 million.

Cristiano Ronaldo

3. Lionel Andrés Messi, Left Striker- Messi could be the greatest footballer to ever play the beautiful game. He has set countless records, and won an enormous amount of honors, winning the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2009, and winning the Ballon d’ Or in 2009. He is the only player in the world to have scored five goals in one UEFA Champions League Match, and currently plays for Barcelona. Messi captains the Argentina national team, and won the FIFA U-20 World Cup. My favorite parts about Messi are that he almost always find the net in each match, and the fact that he can swerve past any defender with ease.

Lionel Messi

2. Gerard Piqué i Bernabeu, Right Centre Back-My favorite defender, Pique is a 6’4’ wall of muscle and defensive skill. He is a versatile defender who can also set up offensive plays. Pique plays for FC Barcelona, but also played for Manchester United from 2004-2008. Pique was a starting defender for Spain during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and suffered an injury during the first match. During his time with Barcelona he has won 13 titles. Pique is my own defensive role model, and because he is my favorite defender and role model, he is second on this list.

Gerard Pique

1. David Villa Sánchez, Right Striker-My own favorite footballer, his five goals during the 2010 FIFA World Cup made him an instant favorite. I was even more thrilled when he moved from Valencia CF to Barcelona following the World Cup. David Villa is currently the lead goal scorer of all time for Spain’s national team, netting 51 goals in 82 appearances. Off the pitch, he has worked with Spanish singer Ana Torroja on a single track called “Insurrection”. David Villa has a net-seeking shot; a radar built into his head, and can run like the Dickens. He’s also not a bad singer. Villa is a goal scoring machine that makes any defender wary. There is no other footballer I look up to more than David Villa.

David Villa

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