Ranking the 3rd-Best Players in World Football Behind Messi and Ronaldo
Sergio Aguero was the big hero again for Manchester City on Tuesday night as he notched a hat-trick to beat Bayern Munich 3-2 in the UEFA Champions League.
His captain Vincent Kompany labelled him a "special" player and manager Manuel Pellegrini called Aguero "one of the best in the world," per BBC Sport, leading to plenty of discussion over just how good Kun is compared to the best of the rest, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi widely accepted as the game's top two players.
Here is our take on who has the current best claim to the title of "third-best," taking into account recent form and achievements over the course of the year as well as the general, subjective level of their top ability.
6. Andres Iniesta, Barcelona and Spain
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Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta is currently out injured and, in La Liga especially, absence can sometimes help folks forget just how good a player is, especially with the tidal waves of talent on show every week.
Iniesta, though, remains an absolutely class player, giving top-drawer performances almost without fail for both club and country—even when both went through significant periods of down time during 2014.
Skilful, versatile, a hard-worker and with great vision, Iniesta remains a thoroughly important player and he raises the game of those around him with his ability to fire quick, accurate passes around and demand the ball back in space.
5. Manuel Neuer, Bayern Munich and Germany
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There are a handful of excellent goalkeepers around the world now—Thibaut Courtois, Gigi Buffon, Hugo Lloris and so on—but Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer is out on his own: commanding, composed and complete.
By style as much as tactical demand he is very much an extension of the defensive line of outfielders, happy with the ball at his feet and assured in his ability and his distribution, both kicking and from his hands.
In terms of shot-stopping, a few can perhaps match him but none have the all-round, tick-every-box game in their locker that Neuer has.
4. Angel Di Maria, Manchester United and Argentina
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Argentina midfielder and former Real Madrid man Angel Di Maria was one of La Liga's very best last season, along with being arguably the stand-out performer of his team's Champions League run and ultimate victory. He also reached the World Cup final with his nation just two months later.
Now with Manchester United, Di Maria has shown adaptability, endurance and consistency to broach another domestic league with class and no shortage of end product. He is already heralded as one of the best in the Premier League.
Much more suited to playing centrally than wide, Di Maria is nonetheless as versatile as he is robust and contributes hugely all over the park.
3. Luis Suarez, Barcelona and Uruguay
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Come the end of last season, Luis Suarez might well have gotten the nod for top spot in this mini ranking, and after a tremendous campaign with Liverpool there could not have been too many complaints.
A ridiculously low centre of gravity allows Suarez to turn past defenders with almost no notice, while his close control, bullying strength and unerring finishing make him a massive threat anywhere inside the final third. He is selfless, too, with his off the ball running, clever passes to team-mates and high work ethic.
A ban at the start of this season means his impact with new club Barcelona was delayed, but after a few weeks in the side, he's already proving his worth with a first goal and plenty of assists for Neymar, Lionel Messi and the like.
2. Sergio Aguero, Manchester City and Argentina
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And to Aguero himself now, who has been rampant this season and, from his point of view, mercifully, injury-free.
The Argentine striker has netted 17 goals in 18 games this season in all competitions, playing every Premier League and Champions League match to date. This is no flat-track bully, either; Aguero has scored against Roma, Liverpool, Manchester United—and a hat-trick against Bayern Munich, along with four against Spurs.
Kun possesses strength, pace, can finish with either foot and is dragging his team along this season, a great player in the form of his life.
1. Arjen Robben, Bayern Munich and Netherlands
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Pipping Aguero and Suarez to the top of the pile right now is Bayern Munich forward Arjen Robben. The last two-and-a-half seasons have been superb for the Dutchman, winning everything going with Bayern under Jupp Heynckes, then the Bundesliga under Pep Guardiola last season and starring at the World Cup as the Dutch finished third.
This year he has continued his great personal form, scoring and assisting with his trademark dribbles, threat from the right flank cutting in and, of course, benefiting from the space afforded to him by his talented team-mates.
Robben just about takes our vote for the game's third-best player in the world.
