6 Most Hyped Players in the World Right Now
Modern football is full of mega-rich mega-stars who at times seem genuinely larger than life.
In the upper stratosphere of football super-stardom lie the select group here. These are the most hyped players in world football right now.
You'll know all of them right away, and in fact, you'll need only one name to do so.
Once you've seen our list, leave your picks in the comments below.
Lionel Messi
1 of 6Club/country: Barcelona/Argentina
Age: 25
Lionel Messi has won the last two Ballon d'Or awards as the best player in the world. Before the trophy changed names, he also won the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 2009.
Simply put, Messi is the best player in the world right now. Sorry Cristiano, but we'll get to you in a moment
Not only is Messi the best right now, he's already considered among the all-time greats.
And he's still only 25.
Cristiano Ronaldo
2 of 6Club/country: Real Madrid/Portugal
Age: 27
In most eras, Cristiano Ronaldo would be a runaway choice for world's best player. Unfortunately for CR7, though, he's a contemporary of Lionel Messi.
Still, Ronaldo was named FIFA World Player of the Year in 2008, and some think he's better than Messi.
Regardless, Ronaldo isn't just a great footballer. He's a breakout star who has successfully crossed over to become a mainstream celebrity.
Neymar
3 of 6Club/country: Santos/Brazil
Age: 20
Neymar is 20, and he's never played in a World Cup. Doesn't matter. He's Europe's most-wanted transfer prospect anyway.
With his trademark hairstyles, some seriously jaw-dropping moves and the support of the legendary Pele, Neymar figures to be one of the world's biggest stars over the next decade.
Robin van Persie
4 of 6Club/country: Manchester United/Netherlands
Age: 29
The Robin van Persie transfer saga dominated the world football media all summer, and with good reason. Van Persie had a career year in 2011-12, scoring an English Premier League-best 30 goals for Arsenal.
With all that success came excessive media attention. And with excessive media attention will come lofty expectations for the new season, his first with Manchester United.
Eden Hazard
5 of 6Club/country: Chelsea/Belgium
Age: 21
Before the Robin van Persie saga, there was the Eden Hazard extravaganza.
For most of the 2011-12 season, Hazard's name and face were plastered all over the world football media. Fans from around the world became exceedingly familiar with the Belgian winger, who was set to leave Lille for greener pastures.
After a long, silly, drawn-out transfer saga of his own, Hazard joined European champions Chelsea in a mega-money deal.
Now it's time to see if all the hype was warranted.
Mario Balotelli
6 of 6Club/country: Manchester City/Italy
Age: 22
Mario Balotelli enjoyed a breakout summer with Italy at Euro 2012, and his never-ending antics have made him a crossover star.
But none of that can cover up what he really is at the club level: a backup striker for Manchester City.
All the same, Balotelli has tons of potential. But can he live up to the hype?
