25 Best Serie A Players of 2013
It's hard pinning down the top players in one of the most competitive leagues in the world.
The Serie A has a wealth of talent across the board despite losing out on several marquee names during the summer.
Excellent scouting and shrewd transfer business have been the model for teams that know they cannot compete financially with some of Europe's biggest hitters.
Here are the 25 best Serie A players from the 2013 calendar year!
Note: Only players who are still currently in Serie A were chosen. Sorry, Edinson Cavani!
Andrea Barzagli: Juventus
1 of 25
A finesse defender who has been a revelation since joining Juventus. Andrea Barzagli is one of the main components of the Bianconeri back line.
Gianluigi Buffon: Juventus
2 of 25
Despite reaching his mid-30s, the legendary Gigi Buffon is still one of the best shot stoppers in the world.
Paul Pogba: Juventus
3 of 25
An absolute freak of an athlete gifted with an abundance of skill. The young Paul Pogba has only begun to realize his limitless potential.
Arturo Vidal: Juventus
4 of 25
The Chilean international can play anywhere on the field and give a world-class performance. Arturo Vidal has been sensational at centre-back as well as an attacking midfield where he can score goals with the best of them.
Carlos Tevez: Juventus
5 of 25
A whirling buzzsaw of energy, what he lacks in boyish good looks he makes up for with his demonic ability around the opposition's penalty box.
Andrea Pirlo: Juventus
6 of 25
The most interesting midfielder in the world.
Andrea Pirlo continues to defy his age by being the best in his particular position—the deep-lying playmaker. His set pieces have also never been better.
Francesco Totti: Roma
7 of 25
The eternal captain is aging like a fine Italian wine. Francesco Totti continues to mesmerize audiences despite being in his late 30s and will easily go down as Roma's greatest ever player.
Daniele De Rossi: Roma
8 of 25
The future captain of Roma has enjoyed life under new coach Rudi Garcia, who has restored faith back in the box-to-box midfielder.
Daniele De Rossi has just as much heart as he has skill, and he embodies everything Roma stands for.
Mehdi Benatia: Udinese, Roma
9 of 25
Candidate for defensive signing of the 2013 Summer transfer window. Mehdi Benatia is an absolute rock at the heart of Roma's back line.
He has also shown a goalscoring touch, scoring four times so far this season.
Mario Balotelli: Milan
10 of 25
Love him or hate him, everyone has an opinion on Mario Balotelli.
Despite the headaches that he can bring, there's no doubting that he is a world-class finisher around the penalty box.
Nigel De Jong: Milan
11 of 25
By far Milan's best performer in the midfield this season—Nigel de Jong has shown a mixture of grit and composure when in possession, hardly giving the ball away.
Rodrigo Palacio: Inter
12 of 25
Don't judge him based on that diabolical ponytail.
Rodrigo Palacio peaked later in his career, but he is showing Inter that he's one of the most lethal finishers in Italy when given the chance.
Fredy Guarin: Inter
13 of 25
With his fierce shot, imposing physique and creativity, Fredy Guarin is Inter's most dynamic midfielder.
Unfortunately, plenty of rumors have linked him with a move away from the Giuseppe Meazza in the January transfer window.
Antonio Di Natale: Udinese
14 of 25
One of the most feared goalscorers in Italy, Antonio Di Natale is still pure class despite being in the twilight of his career.
Udinese's captain is one of the few Bandiere left on the peninsula.
Alessio Cerci: Torino
15 of 25
One of Italy's only true out-and-out wingers, Alessio Cerci deserves a big club to hone his immense skill set. Nearly unstoppable on the flank, his left foot is pure gold.
Borja Valero: Fiorentina
16 of 25
It's incredibly to think that he once played for West Brom.
Borja Valero has been pure quality at Fiorentina. Not only does he give an immense effort defensively, but he has sublime vision and is Vincenzo Montella's most important ingredient in the Fiorentina lineup.
Giuseppe Rossi: Fiorentina
17 of 25
Fourteen goals in his first 17 matches with Fiorentina after two near-catastrophic knee injuries. Are you kidding me?
Juan Guillermo Cuadrado: Fiorentina
18 of 25
One of the quickest pairs of feet you'll ever see, Juan Cuadrado is a major reason for Fiorentina's success this past calendar year.
Mattia Perin: Pescara, Genoa
19 of 25
Not many keepers in Europe have better reflexes than Mattia Perin.
The 21-year-old goalkeeper has the highest average rating in his position this season with Genoa after enduring a tragic season with woeful Pescara.
Marek Hamsik: Napoli
20 of 25
Napoli's attacking midfield has emerged as one of the premier players in Europe. An incredible blend of hard work, finesse and surprising aerial ability have made Marek Hamsik a legend in Southern Italy.
Gonzalo Higuain: Napoli
21 of 25
Gonzalo Higuain's performances in the Champions League for Napoli were nothing short of sensational, and he was able to show his European experience that he had accumulated with Real Madrid.
Lorenzo Insigne: Napoli
22 of 25
The tricky Lorenzo Insigne is an absolute demon on the left flank for defenders. As slippery as he is quick, Insigne is a multidimensional threat who can burn you by setting up a teammate or curling the ball into the top corner.
Juan Iturbe: Hellas Verona
23 of 25
There aren't many players better than Juan Iturbe with the ball at their feet, and it's no surprise that he has already drawn interest from Roma, per Corriere dello Sport (h/t Football Italia).
Antonio Cassano: Parma
24 of 25
It's only a matter of time before Antonio Cassano burns his bridges at Parma, but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy his immense talent while he plays there.
Hernanes: Lazio
25 of 25
The Brazilian maestro has a lethal shot from distance and is the link between midfield and attack for Lazio. His performances in 2013 earned him a spot on the Brazilian national team.
