Top 5 Players from Around the World This Weekend: Featuring Priceless Pedro
On the weekend before Christmas a number of Europe's major leagues were ending their campaigns for the festive period.
The Premier League of course will continue on Boxing Day and beyond, but the Bundesliga will put its feet up for the next month, while the likes of Spain, Italy, France and Holland will go on breaks of varying lengths.
Bayern Munich deserve congratulations, having rounded off an all-conquering 2013 with yet another trophy, being named world club champions in Morocco after a 2-0 win over Raja Casablanca.
But that's for another time and place, as here, we're looking at individuals.
We give a point and a nod towards Liverpool's Luis Suarez who is omitted this weekend as one of the world's top-five performers (as we're starting to question if he is indeed of this world), while Emmanuel Adebayor, Shinji Okazaki and Ajax youngster Jairo Riedewald get a special mention also.
Anyway, with all that being said, here's a look at the weekend's top-five performers.
Disagree with any of the picks or feel as if there’s a standout omission? Let us know in the comments section below.
*Unless otherwise stated, all statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com
Jordan Henderson (Liverpool)
1 of 5
In all honesty this slot should actually be taken by Luis Suarez, who once again was outstanding for Liverpool in their 3-1 win over Cardiff.
And while it is unfair to count against the Uruguayan's brilliance, simply because it is becoming the norm, there has been another Reds player who in recent weeks has taken major steps in terms of the quality of his performances: Jordan Henderson.
The England midfielder appeared on his way out of Anfield following Brendan Rodgers' arrival, having been mooted for a transfer to Fulham in August 2012 (as per the Daily Mail).
However, the former Sunderland man has since come on leaps and bounds and made himself an indispensable member of Rodgers' midfield.
"In the last two games, Henderson has played better than in open play than Gerrard has for 3 seasons.
— Dan Shepherd (@liverpooldeep) December 21, 2013"
While the Reds are blessed with a number of gifted passers in the central area—Lucas Leiva, Joe Allen, Steven Gerrard, Coutinho—Henderson is more of a runner, shuttling up and down the pitch and covering every blade of grass.
Yet, on Saturday he was more than that.
Not only did he do his usual job—which in recent weeks has seen his link play with Suarez increasingly come to the fore—but he also produced the kind of magical moments more frequently associated with Francesco Totti or Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The Reds first goal was teed up rather sumptuously by Henderson for Suarez to volley home, while his second assist of the afternoon was a backheel to find Suarez on the edge of the box.
Sandwiched between was also an intelligent and magnificent through pass with the outside of the boot, to send Suarez through on goal, from where he set up Raheem Sterling to score.
"Again, the Henderson pass is the genius in that goal. Brilliant stuff
— Michael Cox (@Zonal_Marking) December 21, 2013"
Additionally, his simple passing kept Liverpool ticking over and clocked him a 92 percent completion ratio.
Mehdi Benatia (AS Roma)
2 of 5
For much of the present season Rudi Garcia's Roma have been outstanding and for much of 2013—both with the Giallorossi and former club Udinese—Mehdi Benatia has been magnificent.
The centre-back has arguably been one of Europe's best defenders during 2013, and underwent a quite ludicrous 17-match win streak in Serie A during the year (seven matches with Udinese, 10 with Roma).
Powerful, decent on the ball, strong in the air and an intelligent reader of the game, Benatia's defending have been earning him rave reviews and his partnership with Brazilian Leandro Castan is a major reason that Roma have conceded just seven league goals this term (17 games).
"If you picked a Serie A All Star Team for the season so far you'd have to put Benatia in.
— Julian of Martinis (@JulianDM11) December 22, 2013"
And against Catania on Sunday, the Moroccan defender added another string to his bow.
Not only did he defend with the kind of excellence which supporters at the Stadio Olimpico have quickly become accustomed to—and which was highlighted when he made our top five after his showing against his former club back in October—he also found the back of the net twice as Roma ran out 4-0 winners against Serie A's bottom side.
It was Benatia who opened the scoring after 18 minutes, diverting a header past Alberto Frison after Francesco Totti's corner had been headed back across goal by Mattia Destro.
Destro himself would extend the Romans' lead, in somewhat farcical fashion, before Benatia netted his second, turning home a Miralem Pjanic free-kick.
Roma weren't overly tested by their visitors who are very much beginning to resemble relegation fodder, but Benatia didn't let his high defensive standards drop, while his passing from the back was an intelligent mix of long and short and stood at a respectable 84 percent.
He rated 9.9 with WhoScored after his latest outing and for his contribution across the entire field of play, ranks here.
Luca Toni (Hellas Verona)
3 of 5
The Italian World Cup winner may now be at the ripe old age of 36 and in the twilight in his career, but the powerful striker still knows his way to goal.
And though he has struggled to replicate the form which saw him net 57 goals in 85 games during two years with Bayern Munich (2007-09) in the last few years, his intelligent leading of the line and physical presence have made him a formidable focal point for Hellas Verona this season.
And even when he hasn't been scoring for the Gialloblu, he's still been an important part of manager Andrea Mandorlini's game plan.
On Sunday afternoon against Lazio however, Toni was very much in the thick of the action, battering Lazio's defence into submission as Hellas romped to a 4-1 victory, as they claimed a seventh home win in eight matches this term.
Toni began the game by troubling Lazio, a foul on him by Cristian Ledesma getting the Lazio midfielder a booking, and he didn't stop throughout.
From that Ledesma challenge, Jorginho swung the ball over and Toni powered a header past Federico Marchetti to give Hellas the lead.
Lucas Biglia would equalise for the Rome-based club but Toni would soon be causing problems again.
Again Toni was too hot to handle for the Lazio defence and they fouled him once more; duly they were punished, though Marchetti should have done better with Juan Iturbe's free-kick.
In the 63rd minute, Verona netted a third and again Toni played a key role, squaring for Romulo to tap home as Lazio were cut open on the counter-attack.
And 12 minutes from time, Toni would convert his second of the afternoon and Verona's fourth.
All in, he was fully worth his perfect 10 rating from WhoScored after a magnificent centre-forward's display for Serie A's surprise package.
"Luca Toni ha participado en 12 (7 goles, 5 asist.) goles en 17 partidos con el Hellas Verona. Inmortal pic.twitter.com/VZrnNvEnzi
— Fútbol Fichajes (@FutboolFichajes) December 22, 2013"
Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona)
4 of 5
Crucial to Barcelona's comeback victory against Getafe, Spanish winger Pedro Rodriguez finds his way into this weekend's top-five.
A disgustingly bad start at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez meant that Los Cules found themselves 2-0 down, falling to goals from Sergio Escudero and Lisandro Lopez, inside the opening 14 minutes.
And without Lionel Messi, midfield metronome Xavi Hernandez or Neymar in the Barca XI, Getafe will have fancied their chances of holding on to their lead.
However, they didn't even last the half, as the Spanish World Cup winner took it upon himself to drag his side back into the game with a nine-minute tour de force.
With 10 minutes until the half-time whistle, he timed his run between the centre-halves perfectly to latch onto a Cesc Fabregas through ball before clipping over the goalkeeper, Miguel Angel Moya.
In the 41st minute the 26-year-old would level the scores, cutting in from the left onto his right foot before firing a stunning shot into the top corner.
And two minutes later, he put Martino's men in front, lashing home left-footed following Jordi Alba's cutback from the byline.
"Masterclass from Barca on Sky Sp 3 after going two down. Pedro outstanding.
— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) December 22, 2013"
He continued his troublesome ways in the second period, picking out Fabregas with a lofted pass and allowing the former Arsenal man to volley home in the 68th minute to increase the Blaugrana's advantage.
It was also he who was brought down for the penalty which Fabregas netted to wrap up the scoring.
All in all, the 26-year-old rather enjoyed his second visit to Madrid this season, claiming a perfect 10 rating from WhoScored.
"Pedro likes his visits to Madrid - hat-trick at Rayo in September, another hat-trick now at Getafe, still to visit Calderon and Bernabeu.
— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) December 22, 2013"
Burak Yilmaz (Galatasaray)
5 of 5
Having seen league leaders Fenerbahce surrender three points earlier on Sunday afternoon and with second place Kasimpasa having drawn on Friday evening, it was imperative for Roberto Mancini's Galatasaray to pick up a win at home to Trabzonspor on Sunday evening.
Gala came into the weekend 11 points off top spot, with too many draws having somewhat curtailed their title challenge.
Thus, Mancini was looking for a hero, and while it may be right to suggest striker Burak Yilmaz hasn't hit the heights of last season, it was certainly he who took over and led Cimbom to a much-needed three points at the Turk Telekom Arena.
All too often this term Gala have been frustrated—they've won just 50 percent of their league games—and it looked likely that a similar scenario could play out here.
Gala were fortunate not to fall behind early on with Argentine midfielder Gustavo Colman missing dreadfully when clean through on goal. They came back strongly but couldn't find a way through thanks to a mixture of excellent goalkeeping, brave defending and one outstanding goal-line block from Bosingwa.
Into the second period and Trabzonspor were guilty of another major miss, Paulo Henrique's header from eight yards was magnificently saved by Fernando Muslera.
Cometh the hour, cometh the man however, as a swift counter involving Didier Drogba and Wesley Sneijder, saw the Dutchman square to Yilmaz, who cleverly turned, saw his shot saved, but fortunately saw the rebound ricochet home.
Trabzon would equalise just four minutes later, but within a moment, Yilmaz had restored the home side's lead and it would be definitive.
Sabri Sarioglu's cross was flicked on by Selcuk Inan, and reacting quickest was Yilmaz, who poked home with a reactionary finish.
The goals were just reward for the striker, who once again ran channels unselfishly, held up play and kept the opposing defence honest.
If Gala are to haul back their bitterest rivals then they'll need Yilmaz to be on top of his game and scoring regularly. Today was the perfect start for both.
"#Photo | Goal celebration of Didier Drogba, Felipe Melo and Burak Yılmaz! pic.twitter.com/xyx4f1zqEl
— Cimbom Daily (@CimbomDaily) December 22, 2013"
Find me on Twitter for more football chat: @AA_Richards
