Wearing The Armband: Ranking The Top 20 Captains in World Football
Aside from the performance element of the beautiful game, there is one thing that truly differentiates the players on the pitch: wearing the captain's armband.
The lone footballer on the field with some authority, the captain is also a model of consistency and composure as he leads his team to well-earned, well-deserved victories. Other times, he is the center of the team, the emotional leader also serving as a manager's second pair of eyes.
A captain is understanding of his role and the responsibilities of other players as he compels them to perform at peak form.
Some may not be the best players on the squad, but generally they command the most respect.
Here are the top 20 captains in world football.
Landon Donovan, LA Galaxy
1 of 20
Landon Donovan is another example of a captain that leads by example. His uplifting runs through defenders and delivery from virtually anywhere on the pitch many times culminates into goals for the Galaxy.
At 5'8", he obviously is not the most intimidating of footballers, but his form on the field is contagious.
A very able crosser and dribbler, Donovan leads with his feet and is a symbol of growth and hard work.
Matthew Upson, West Ham United
2 of 20
The 31-year old Matthew Upson, while currently on the last-place West Ham United, presents a composed and organized force for the Hammers in the back third.
Despite the poor form of his club, his own consistency and leadership often times shines through the weaknesses of his team.
After being named captain of the squad last season, he has built a commanding reputation amongst the defense. His play has earned him a spot on the England national team.
Ledley King, Tottenham
3 of 20
Currently the longest-serving squad member on Tottenham's roster, Ledley King earned the captain's armband in January of 2005.
The 30-year old first joined the club in 1998 and recently has battled chronic knee problems, limiting his play. But those setbacks hardly keep the center back from performing at his best.
King, as his name would suggest, is a model defender. He plays with composure, pace, strength and is a timely tackler. Though he rarely appears in consecutive matches for Spurs, his leadership emanates from his work ethic and ball-winning.
Arda Turan, Galatasaray
4 of 20
Arda Turan is in his second year as captain of one of the more well-known Turkish clubs, after he was handed the armband at the beginning of last season.
Turan is another young captain, but his youth hardly shadows his capabilities on the pitch. The 23-year old can score goals as well as provide chances for his teammates.
His role as captain is simple: lead the team by being the best player on the field. It is not universal that the top footballers wear the armband, but for clubs like Galatasaray, the best players may often flourish in that role.
Luis Suárez, Ajax
5 of 20
Luis Suárez is another captain who leads by simply scoring goals.
After acquiring the armband in 2009, the Uruguayan showed no mercy by netting 49 goals in all competitions (48 matches).
While the striker is not following the scorching pace he was on last season, the 23-year old still has plenty of time to unveil his potential as consistent leader.
Despite his youth, the ability to ensure victories for his club is a sure sign of leadership.
Djibril Cissé, Panathinaikos
6 of 20
Known for his flashy hairdos, as well as his explosive pace and acceleration, Djibril Cissé bounced around England and France before securing the captain's armband in Greece with Panathinaikos.
The 29-year old has already been embraced by enthusiastic supporters, having scored 29 goals in 46 fixtures last season. This year, his scoring prowess has continued, netting 14 goals in 19 matches.
He is another captain from the 'lead by scoring' school of thought.
Phil Neville, Everton
7 of 20
Aggression, work-rate and diversity make up Phil Neville's approach on the pitch, and it bleeds onto his Everton teammates.
Neville was granted the armband in 2006 and represents the grit and grind that the Toffees often embody and portray.
For a smaller club, he brings a big game.
Fabio Cannavaro, Al-Ahli Dubai
8 of 20
Fabio Cannavaro's move to the UAE side Al-Ahli Dubai took some by surprise, but the fact that he still adorns the armband in the Middle East is not a shocker.
The former Juventus and Italian national team captain now leads a team of mostly UAE natives, save for himself and three other squad members.
He is well known for his no-nonsense defending and wonderful ball-winning skills.
Despite the controversy of performance-enhancing substances, it is hard to question the 37-year old's leadership qualities, especially during Italy's 2006 World Cup title run.
Massimo Ambrosini, AC Milan
9 of 20
Massimo Ambrosini's work ethic in the midfield brings energy to his AC Milan team.
Mostly known for his aerial displays and proficiency, Ambrosini is in his 15th year with the club, acquiring the armband during the 2007-2008 season and officially securing his spot as team captain in 2009.
He is not the flashiest or most well-known footballer for Milan, but has shown to be a team player above all else.
Cesc Fabregas, Arsenal
10 of 20
Fabregas may not be the vocal leader that some may assume that must come with the captain's armband, but the Spaniard's play in the midfield is music to some and magic to others. Like Steven Gerrard, Fabregas is able to lead his team through a sound performance on the field.
His creativity and passing touch all over the pitch is hardly overlooked, as the 23-year old is gradually turning into one of the top midfielders in the game.
Since joining Arsenal in 2003, he has only increased his visibility all over the world. Fabregas assumed the captain's role in 2008 after William Gallas was removed from his post.
After the conclusion of this summer's World Cup, rumors have whirled of Fabregas' return to Barcelona, but he has consistently assured his intentions of remaining with the Gunners.
Mark van Bommel, Bayern Munich
11 of 20
Mark van Bommel brought strength and consistency to the midfield for Bayern Munich. After transferring from Barcelona in 2006, the Dutchman was selected as captain of the German side in 2008, the first non-German to wear the armband for the club.
His ball-winning skills are highly regarded, and he complements nicely to the flashier players. He is an ultimate glue guy and is a proven player of quality at huge clubs across Europe.
Bayern Munich may have others capable of wearing the armband, but van Bommel can put it all together.
Carlos Tevez, Manchester City
12 of 20
Carlos Tevez is the captain who scores.
He may pout, complain or be a total head scratcher, but the Argentine star can finish with the best of them, and that is where his leadership is drawn.
Tevez instills confidence in his club by delivering goals when his teammates give him the ball. There are few other captains with the scoring prowess of Tevez, but it never is the worst of ideas to have the club's best player wear the armband.
Nemanja Vidic, Manchester United
13 of 20
Nemanja Vidic is the foundation to a Manchester United defense that has fallen under heavy scrutiny this season, despite not having lost a match yet this year.
Though Gary Neville is United's club captain, Vidic took the role of team captain over the summer and has embraced the leadership role firmly.
His tactics on the defensive side are unmerciful and relentless, and demonstrate the attitude and work ethic of a leader of a top-flight club.
Alessandro Del Piero, Juventus
14 of 20
The 36-year old Alessandro Del Pierro has been with Juventus since 1993, appearing in 647 matches to date for the club.
Another lead-by-example captain, Del Pierro is an artist scoring the ball as well as creating chances for his teammates. He energizes his club through his performance and good form.
Though there are rumors swirling of a transfer out of Juventus, the club simply would not be the same without trequartista.
Carles Puyol, Barcelona
15 of 20
Carles Puyol is an ideal defender. But what he lacks in height at just 5'10", he easily makes up in strength and determination.
Puyol has been with Barcelona his whole career, climbing the ladder from the club's B squad, eventually claiming a spot on the first team in 1999 and the captain's armband in 2004.
With his tenure mounting, Puyol has claimed recognition as one of the top defenders in the game and continues to be a cornerstone for an ever-talented Barcelona club.
John Terry, Chelsea
16 of 20
John Terry is definitely a leader by example, but often times uses his mouth to encourage his teammates. Though he was removed of his England armband, his captain's spot for Chelsea remains firm.
Despite captaining the Blues, Terry is a workhorse on the defensive side of the ball and has been an anchor for a Chelsea team for quite a long time. His latest injury woes keeping him off the pitch likely have impacted Chelsea's form in more ways than one.
Bumping him out of the captain's role is highly unlikely, as Terry has been with the club since 1998.
Although some do not agree with his demeanor off the field, it is difficult to question his leadership qualities for one of the top clubs in Europe.
Javier Zanetti, Inter Milan
17 of 20
Javier Zanetti is a wiry veteran that has worn Inter Milan colors since 1995 and the captain's armband since 1999.
Able to play fullback on either side, on the wing or in the midfield, his versatility, composure and skill with the ball are just a few of the Argentine's attributes on the pitch, but the 37-year old is simply a baller.
Appearing in more than 700 fixtures for Inter, Zanetti is a symbol of consistency and hard work.
Off the field, Zanetti often engages in philanthropy, only furthering his cause as one of the most respected and appreciated captains and players in all of football.
Steven Gerrard, Liverpool
18 of 20
Steven Gerrard is the quintessential workhorse leader. His relentless and uplifting work rate on either side of the ball leads to plenty of scoring chances for his usually very talented teammates.
In command of the midfield, Gerrard is able to deliver to his strikers or blast long shots of his own, like this one here (sorry, no audio).
Gerrard, 30, has spent his whole career with the Reds, symbolizing the local boy turned club leader. But whatever humble beginnings he came from, his status with Liverpool could not be higher.
Francesco Totti, Roma
19 of 20
Francesco Totti is another captain through tenure, having played in 589 matches for Roma since 1992. But his skills and attitude on the pitch are other reasons why he was given the armband in 1997.
He scores, he creates and is the face of Roma.
At 34 years old, only he knows how much longer his body can handle the rigors of football. But when he does leave the game behind, he will leave as one of the finest and most creative players of his generation.
Iker Casillas, Real Madrid
20 of 20
Never mind that Iker Casillas is the captain of one of the world's most known football clubs, but his form alone as keeper over the years speaks volumes of his leadership abilities.
To be able to command of the pitch for a squad as magnified and scrutinized as Real Madrid is demonstrative of Casillas' attitude.
As the anchor for some of the greatest players in the world, he represents the cornerstone of what this club has accomplished since joining the top squad in 1999.
Is there a better keeper to have in front of goal?
.jpg?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Cards Had Wrong Love Number 😅")
.jpg?w=600 "Eagles Stole WR Lemon from Steelers")
.jpg?w=600 "Moment Eagles Picked Lemon 😲")