Top 10 Footballers in the World

Behold, the list of the Top 10 footballers currently playing.

A lot of thought went into making this list. It was difficult to compare forwards to midfielders and midfielders to defenders, but in the end I am satisfied with my list.

There are obviously some players that deserve to be on the list, but in the end did not make the list. I'm sure the players I am talking about will get lots of love in the comments.

Without further introduction, I present to you my list of the Top 10 footballers in the world.

Special Mention: Gianluigi Buffon

Hats off to Gigi Buffon of Juventus. He is easily the best keeper in the entire world.

His heroics for the Italian national team during the 2006 World Cup are legendary, as well as his outstanding form in the 2008 European Championship.

Buffon is a national hero and is the best goal keeper on Earth.

10. Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan is one of the best goal scorers playing the game. Ever since his move to Internazionale in 2006, he has been a force for the reigning Italian champions.

Zlatan has scored 66 goals for Inter and has been the most vital piece to Inter's recent dominance over the Serie A.

What keeps Zlatan from being one of the top five footballers in the world, is his inability to score in big games. Zlatan has not scored in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

9. Wayne Rooney

Wayne "The Wonder Boy" Rooney has been a dominant force for both Manchester United and the England National Team.

His career at Old Trafford started off with a hat trick in the Champions League. Since that day, Rooney has been a fan favorite and often finds the back of the net.

Rooney is one of the best forwards in the game today, his aggression brings both reward and penalty to his club and country. But, if it was not for his aggressive nature, I doubt Rooney would be on this list.

8. Alessandro Del Piero

Del Piero is a frightening player to go up against. His speed and touch on the ball are what makes him so good at what he does.

The captain of Juventus has a knack for scoring big goals when his club needs them most.

Del Piero is a legend at his club and has scored a staggering 263 goals during his career-long tenure with Juve.

7. Nemanja Vidic

It is possible that Nemanja Vidic is the hardest football player on the planet. He is a fearless defender, but an even smarter one.

His crucial challenges and timely tackles have made him a fan favorite at Manchester United.

In terms of defenders, Vidic could only be outclassed by his counterpart at Old Trafford, Rio Ferdinand.

His recent pay raise at Old Trafford ensures that the United defense will be strong for years to come.

6. Samuel Eto'o

Eto'o is probably the best pure striker on Earth. He rarely misses the target, and is certainly a back four's nightmare.

Eto'o scored a league-second best 30 goals for Barcelona last season and has totaled over 100 goals in his career with the Catalan giants.

His early goal in the Champions League Final sparked the dominance ensued for Barcelona.

5. Andres Iniesta

Speaking of the Champions League Final, Barcelona wouldn't have even been there....if it wasn't for the heroics of Andres Iniesta at Stamford Bridge in the semi-finals.

Iniesta is one of the best midfielders on the planet. He is only rivaled by Riquelme as the "architect" of goals.

Iniesta's passes are always where they need to be, and his ball handling skills are unmatched.

To quote Sir Alex Ferguson: "The boy has never given the ball away in his life."

4. Kaka

The Brazilian playmaker and future Real Madrid star won the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 2007, and has not lost a step since.

Kaka is a brilliant scorer and an even better all-around player. Kaka scored 95 goals during his career with AC Milan.

Kaka has also been a fantastic player for his country, having scored 26 goals for Brazil in 70 appearances. He is currently 14th on Brazil's all-time scoring list.

Next season, Kaka will take his world-class talent to Real Madrid.

3. Steven Gerrard

Stevie Gerrard is the best scoring center midfielder in football. He is always willing to have a go from 30 yards out, and won't hesitate to do so.

Gerrard is widely regarded has England's best player. Gerrard has made 478 appearances for Liverpool and has scored 119 times for the club.

Gerrard has only to win a Premier League title before his illustrious career is complete.

Number Two and Number One

While all the names listed before are great. The two that are about to be named are on a whole different plateau of skill.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are the only two players who can call themselves the best footballers on the planet.

They both have different, yet similar, styles.

Both scores goals, both make defenders look foolish.

Both are the top players in the world. They could be listed in any order, it does not matter, as they are completely even. One day I feel Messi is better. The next, I give it to Ronaldo.

However, I must make a decision today as to who the best player in the world is...

2. Lionel Messi

Today, Lionel Messi is the second-best player in the world.

Messi has been terrorizing Spanish defenses since his first appearance for Barcelona back in 2004.

Messi makes some of the most brilliant runs we've ever seen. His control of the ball could only be equaled by Ryan Giggs in his prime.

Lionel Messi has always been considered "the next best player" around the world. But, his recent dominance in European football has pushed him to the level of No. 1.

While he sometimes does not play with the same genius for the Argentine national team, he always the best defender marking him.

Lionel Messi may finally earn the FIFA World Player of the Year Award this year following Barcelona's treble season.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

Today, Cristiano Ronaldo is the best footballer on the planet.

Over his six-year career with Manchester United, Ronaldo scored 118 goals.

He also scored some of the most jaw- dropping goals for the Red Devils. His free kicks became a trademark, as he continued the tradition of the No. 7 kit at Old Trafford.

I consider him to be the best goal scorer in all of football. If it were not for Ronaldo's ability to score, United would not have half of the trophies they have gathered over the past few seasons.

His dipping free kicks, rocket blasts from 40 yards out, and his soaring headers are what makes him the best footballer on Earth.

In June of this year, Ronaldo was sold to Real Madrid for an astronomical sum of $131 million.