15 Underrated Players in World Football Right Now

Neymar. Messi. Ronaldo.

These are some of the biggest names in world football right now; virtually every football fan knows their names.

But what about the guys who put in the same amount of work, but none of the credit? 

These players have an incredible work rate and quietly do their jobs making the other players look good. 

Let's take a look at the 15 underrated footballers in the world right now. 

Giovani Dos Santos

Poor Giovani dos Santos.

The young Mexican is probably one of the best players to come out of Mexico in this generation, and he is stuck on the bench at Tottenham. 

For whatever reason, dos Santos hasn't figured into Tottenham management's plans since he moved to the London club in 2008 from Barcelona despite putting forth fantastic performances for Mexico.

Thankfully for the 23-year-old, new Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas looks to offload him out of the club, ending his Spurs nightmare.  

Hopefully his new club will realize his full potential. 

Miralem Sulejmani

Miralem Sulejmani might be one of the best players you've never heard of.

The 23-year-old Serbian plays for Ajax in the Dutch Eredivisie, and despite only making 16 appearances last season, he scored 10 times. 

Not a bad strike rate.

Sulejmani is quick, pacy and a fantastic dribbler. He has the ability to spread the field and to pick out the perfect pass or cross. 

No doubt a move out of Holland is in the cards. 

Thiago Silva

I know what you're thinking. How can someone who just completed a lucrative €42 million deal be considered underrated? 

Thiago Silva has quietly become one of the best center-backs in all of world football, and this was before his crazy PSG deal had come to fruition.

After failed stints at Porto and Dynamo Moscow, Thiago Silva found his footing with AC Milan. 

Last season, the Brazilian was a steady force in the back line for AC Milan, managing just over a tackle a game and 3.4 key interceptions a game. Opposing offenses found it hard to get by him.   

Despite his success, Thiago Silva never has seemed to get the attention he deserved. 

Esteban Cambiasso

Esteban Cambiasso has been one of the best holding midfielders in football for most of his career, but has almost always been overshadowed by bigger names. 

With Inter, he has produced some great performances while Wesley Sneijder has grabbed the headlines; and his playing career with Argentina has been overlooked by many due to a certain diminutive forward.  

Jefferson Farfan

Schalke's Peruvian midfielder Jefferson Farfan is one of the reasons Klass-Jan Huntelaar had such an outstanding season last term in the Bundesliga. 

Farfan managed to notch four goals last season and supplied eight assists, the majority of them off crosses from the right side. 

He is a fantastic dribbler, knows how to get past players and knows how to supply the perfect cross or through ball. 

Despite his work rate, Farfan seems to be one of those players one never really thinks about when talking about world-class players. He should be included in that conversation. 

Santi Cazorla

Santi Cazorla has long been one of the most underrated players in world football despite being one of the more gifted Spanish players of this generation.

He has flair, he is speedy and he knows his way around a dead-ball situation. 

Despite recently completing a move to Arsenal, he is unlikely to get a better look into the Spanish national set-up since he competes with the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Iniesta, Xavi, Xabi Alonso, Pedro—and the list goes on.

Jesus Navas

Jesus Navas is another technically gifted, speedy Spanish player that, despite his brilliant performances for Sevilla, never seems to get his due for the national team. 

He loves running at the opposition and possesses the pace and skill to get by opponents down the right side. At 26, he's in the prime of his career. 

If Jesus Navas made a move to a larger club, he wouldn't be on this list; he would be getting way more attention. 

Ali Al-Habsi

Ali Al-Habsi was one of, if not the best goalkeeper in the Premier League last season, and no one really seemed to notice. 

It was largely due to his efforts in goal that Wigan wasn't in deeper relegation trouble last season. 

Capable of pulling off top-drawer saves week in and week out, Al-Habsi hopefully will continue his run of form next season, so we can watch goalkeeping at its finest. 

Didier Ya Konan

Despite making only 16 appearances for Hannover last season and scoring six goals in the process, Didier Ya Konan quietly does his part for the German club.

The Ivorian possesses blazing speed, a love for dribbling and a panache for flair and the spectacular goal. 

Despite these qualities, Ya Konan seems to be underutilized by Hannover. Maybe a move is in the cards? 

Maxi Rodriguez

Even though Maxi Rodriguez just completed a move back to his native Argentina with Newell's Old Boys where he will most likely be utilized to his full potential, he makes this list for his treatment at Liverpool.

Despite seeming to score every time he stepped on the pitch (six goals in just 12 appearances last season), then-manager Kenny Dalglish refused to give him a starting role.

New Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers still couldn't find a use for the Argentine, who subsequently moved back to Argentina. 

Considering Liverpool has trouble finding quality on the wings, this looks like a silly move. 

Ganso

Playing on the same team as Neymar must have its perks and its drawbacks.

On one hand you're playing with one of the best up-and-coming talents in the world right now. On the other hand, especially in Ganso's case, you're playing with one of the best up-and-coming talents in the world right now while also being a really good up-and-comer yourself.

The young Brazilian has been making splashes of his own, getting called up to the national team and attracting interest from Arsenal and Tottenham. 

Zhano Ananidze

Raise your hand if you've heard of this kid before. 

Only 19 years old and already a full international for Georgia and a up-and-coming star for Spartak Moskva, Ananidze already displays the football I.Q. of a seasoned vet and the skills needed to advance his career to new heights. 

He managed seven goals last season for the Russian club from midfield, attracting interest from Arsenal and Manchester City. 

Keep your eye on this kid. 

Moritz Leitner

19-year-old German-Austrian midfielder Moritz Leitner could very well be the next Borussia Dortmund star alongside Mario Gotze in upcoming seasons.

Despite 15 of this 17 appearances last season coming off the bench, Leitner showed composure on the ball whenever he played.

He is incredibly quick and has exceptional vision.

Dortmund could be looking at the German star of the future.

Asamoah Gyan

Despite being a supremely talented footballer, nobody seems to want Ghanaian striker Asamoah Gyan.

After pretty successful spells at Udinese and Rennes, Gyan secured a move to Premier League side Sunderland.

Sunderland apparently wasn't impressed by Gyan's services and sent him on loan to UAE side Al Ain last season.

Earlier this summer, Gyan secured a permanent move to Al Ain, where no one will likely ever hear from him again. 

Dries Mertens

PSV winger Dries Mertens recently came to fame for the push on Gary Cahill that broke the English defender's jaw, causing him to miss Euro 2012. 

Mertens also had a prolific season with the Eredivisie side last season, scoring 20 goals in 23 appearances in the league.

That is nothing short of incredible. 

Mertens, in addition to his obvious eye for goal, has blazing speed and a fantastic football I.Q.

Yet, no one seems to be talking about this guy. 

What are your thoughts? Did I make an egregious omission? Let me know in the comments section!

All statistics provided by WhoScored.com unless stated otherwise.