World Football: Best Player by Body Part

There are always a bunch of articles discussing the best player of the world and these segments always end with Messi and Ronaldo. But, there's more than just being "the ultimate best." It's also good to be the best player of one certain body part.

This list discusses the best player in each of the most important sections of the body.

Two judging standards: recent players (cannot be retired) and must have some sort of evidence showing how good they are in specific body part.

Left Foot: Lionel Messi

Age: 24

Team: Barcelona

Nationality: Argentinian

Messi is the world's best player and has the best left foot ever. He had a superb last season in which he scored over 50 times in all competitions. The Argentinian helped Barcelona to, once again, win the Champions League and La Liga in the same year. Messi is only 24 and still has a lot left in him. 

(The video only shows the best goals of Messi's 2010/2011 campaign. Almost all of them are scored by his left foot.)

(Extra) Outside Left Foot: Mesut Ozil

Age: 22

Team: Real Madrid

Nationality: German

Mesut Ozil was recognized as a young player with potential while at Werder Bremen. It's at Real Madrid where he became a star. The German playmaker has been in Spain for just one season but he has already firmly established himself as one of the world's best players.

He managed to conjure 25 assists last campaign, more than any other European player. When talking about Ozil, many people think about the German's assist to Karim Benzema against Ajax, in which he calmly back-heeled a long ball to the Frenchman.

For me, Ozil's most amazing play was his superb cross to Ronaldo against Getafe (shown in the video above). That cross was amazing and prompts me to give the "Outside Left Foot" award to the German.

Right Foot: Cristiano Ronaldo

Age: 26

Team: Real Madrid

Nationality: Portuguese

Ronaldo has been extremely consistent since he joined Manchester United in 2003. He was superb for the EPL giants but decided to make a move to Spain in 2009. He helped Real Madrid win the Copa Del Rey last season and place second in the La Liga.

But no matter how well Ronaldo does, Messi does better and is always the world's best. However, there's no doubt that Ronaldo beats the Argentinian in the best right foot.

(Extra) Outside Right Foot: Frank Lampard

Age: 33

Team: Chelsea

Nationality: English

Frank Lampard is certainly past his prime now but he will always be remembered as one of England and Chelsea's best midfielders. Lampard's passing technique and skill is matched by few players. In the video above, the Chelsea playmaker makes one of the most amazing passes ever. With the outside of the foot, Lampard makes a superb curling pass that is met by Didier Drogba who gratefully scores.

Like for the Mesut Ozil entry as the "Best Outside Left Foot," this is just one instance where Lampard uses his outside right foot. However, Lampard is capable of using the outside boot superbly. There may not be too much evidence of it, but this video somewhat confirms it.

Chest (Chest Trap): Ronaldinho

Age: 31

Team: Flamengo

Nationality: Brazilian

Ronaldinho has fallen way down the popularity list in recent years and now plies his trade for Flamengo in Brazil. However, the former FIFA Player of the Year hasn't lost all of his skill just yet. He's 31 years old and shouldn't even be thinking of retiring.

If there's anything I remember very well from Ronaldinho's prime days, it's his unbelievable ability to control the ball, especially with his chest. It's somewhat hard to find too many players who control the ball superbly but Ronaldinho is one of those few.  

Honorable Mentions: Xavi, Ronaldo, Messi 

Hands (Goalkeeping): Iker Casillas

Age: 30

Team: Real Madrid

Nationality: Spanish

Iker Casillas has unarguably been the world's best goalkeeper in recent years and there's no doubt that the "Hands" award goes to the Spaniard. He has been leading Real Madrid for his whole life and looks set to play at the top level for another decade. His performances on the Spanish national team have also been superb, featuring in three World Cups so far.

Honorable Mentions: Petr Cech, Manuel Neuer 

Arms (Throw-Ins): Rory Delap

Age: 35

Team: Stoke City

Nationality: Irish

Rory Delap may be more than just his throw-ins. Still, he has made a name for himself using his hands/arms and it's working for Stoke City.

So many of the Potters' chances come from Delap's throw-ins and teams have huge difficulties dealing with Stoke's tall players who score from these chances. People criticize Tony Pulis' men for not playing "correct soccer" but the tactics are working, so why stop?

My inclusion of Rory Delap on the "Arms" slide was made for two reasons: I wanted to give the "Hands" slide to a keeper and the throw-in is conducted mainly using the arms.

Honorable Mentions: John Arne Riise, Luke Young 

Eyes (Vision): Xavi

Age: 31 

Team: Barcelona

Nationality: Spanish

Most players are at their prime between the ages of 25 and 30. That doesn't really apply to Xavi Hernandez, who seems to be at his best now. There's no doubting that Xavi is the best playmaker at the moment and is rightfully given the award for the best vision. It looks so simple for the Spaniard when he delivers an amazing pass to his teammate.

It's true that, when you play for Barcelona and Spain, you're going to have players around you who make countless off-the-ball runs. However, it is tough to make a perfect pass and to constantly do so. But Xavi does it so well and he's the best midfielder in the world.

Honorable Mentions: Iniesta, Kaka, Sneijder  

Head (Header): Radamel Falcao

Age: 25

Team: Porto

Nationality: Colombian

Falcao had a breakout 2010/2011 season. The Colombian striker was instrumental in Porto's treble-winning season under manager Andre Villas-Boas, in which they won the Europa League, the Portuguese Liga Sagres and the Millennium Cup.

During all this, Falcao bagged a total of 39 goals in 42 appearances. And he loves using his head to score. Time after time, Falcao has scored from headers and it's incredible to watch. Sometimes the Colombian even chooses to head the ball when kicking it is the simpler option.

Honorable Mentions: Ballack, Ronaldo, Drogba, T. Cahill, Klose 

(I chose to only mention attacking players who head the ball well and score from headers, as there are way too many defenders who are superb at heading the ball.)