Cristiano Ronaldo and the 10 Most Exciting Talents in World Football

It's always very difficult to name a top 10 list of exciting football players. Usually it's because there are so many options; so as ever, there has been a selection process here. I hope you enjoy the rundown of the players. There is certainly some great talent to choose from here.

Click through to the next slide to read about my selection process, And of course, honourable mentions of players who missed out on my list. Then enjoy my analysis on the top 10 and see who joins Neymar in the list.

Selection/Honourable Mentions

In the interest of balance, I have decided to only include one player from any one club. This of course means that there are a number of players that have missed out purely because they play for the same club as another selection.

There are numerous players that could have made the list. Some honourable mentions:

Ashley Young (Manchester United)

Alexis Sanchez, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, David Villa (Barcelona)

Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)

Gervinho (Arsenal)

Really there could be an entire slideshow of honourable mentions, so I’ll leave it there!

10. Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)

Jack Wilshere is an exciting talent for both Arsenal and England. Despite only being 19, Wilshere has already demonstrated his ability. First of all, this is through a loan spell with Bolton in the Premier League, but last season he also broke into the Arsenal team and represented England at the Under-21 level and in the senior team. 

Wilshere has often been used by Arsenal as a holding midfield player. But he is very versatile and could be used in a more attacking midfield role, although Wilshere is more suited to playing in central midfield than as a wide player.

If Jack keeps developing the way he has been, then Arsenal and England could have one of the greatest midfielders that England has ever produced. Unfortunately, the player has picked up an injury that will rule him out of the start of the Premier League season.

 

9. Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich)

Franck Ribery is a name familiar to most football supporters. The Frenchman is a quick and skilful winger by trade. He has spent the majority of his career playing in the top flight in France and Germany. Currently he is a Bayern Munich player and an experienced France international.

Ribery is constantly linked with a big-money transfer, and Real Madrid was once linked with a £50 million bid for the Frenchman. At 28, it will be interesting to see if Ribery has another big move in him, or if he is happy to stay at Bayern Munich.

Ribery has currently made over 100 league appearances for Bayern Munich and won over 50 caps for France. His face carries many scars, due to car accident when he was only two years old.

8. Wesley Sneijder (Inter Milan)

Wesley Sneijder has enjoyed a very successful career to date, which has involved playing for Ajax, Real Madrid and his current club, Inter Milan. Sneijder has also been a very good international player for Holland, earning over 70 caps for his country. 

The Dutchman was linked to a move to the Premier League during the summer, with Manchester United being his most likely destination. However in the end, the move didn't materialise, but the player is now 27 and may want one more big move while he is still in his prime. So don't be surprised if that transfer goes through in the January window.

7. Neymar (Santos)

Neymar is the latest Brazilian wonder-kid and, even though he is only 19, is already tipped for the top. The striker has already played and scored goals for the full Brazilian national team and has been prolific for Santos.

Neymar’s pace and dribbling ability means that he can operate either up front or on the wing. Throughout the summer, the player has been linked with a big-money move and it is believed that Chelsea tried to sign him.

As the player continues to attract attention, it seems certain that he will soon join a major European club. There seems little doubt that Neymar has a big future in world football.

 

6. Luka Modric (Tottenham)

Luka Modric has been playing in the Premier League for Tottenham and has proved himself to be one of the best attacking/creative midfield players in the league. He has also been a regular international for Croatia.

Chelsea showed an interest in the 25-year-old during the summer. And it’s believed that the London club may have offered up to £40million for the Croatian. Tottenham though decided not to sell their star player, and it remains to be seen if that will prove to be the correct decision. 

5. Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)

Wayne Rooney has proved to be a regular goal-scorer with Manchester United in the Premier League. Rooney has started this season in superb fashion that has already included scoring five league goals.

Rooney has played well over 200 league games for Manchester United and has made over 70 appearances for England. Rooney is currently playing a very important role for his country as the lone striker.

Although, Rooney has had his issues at United, he now looks likely to stay with the club for the rest of his career. Providing Manchester United remain successful, there is really no reason for him to leave. 

4. Eden Hazard (Lille)

Eden Hazard is another young and talented attacking midfielder/winger. Hazard plays in the French top flight for Lille. Hazard may only be 20, but has already had quite a lot of experience. Hazard has already made over 100 league appearances for Lille and represented Belgium over 20 times.

Hazard has been linked with a move to the Premier League. Arsenal is his most likely destination, and the transfer is likely to go through in January.  

3. Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)

Sergio Aguero recently signed for Manchester City in a deal approaching £40million. Aguero proved to be a regular goal-scorer in his time in La Liga with Atletico Madrid. Aguero has adapted to Premier League football very quickly and has already scored three league goals.

Kun is also an important player for Argentina at the international level and ironically was signed by Manchester City as a replacement for Carlos Tevez, although Tevez still remains a Manchester City player.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)

Cristiano Ronaldo is equally capable of playing as a winger or a striker and has also been a prolific goal-scorer. Ronaldo has been lucky enough to play for two of the world’s biggest clubs in Real Madrid and Manchester United.

Ronaldo plays his international football for Portugal, with whom he has won over 80 caps. There is a constant debate about who is the greatest player in the world between Ronaldo and Messi.

1. Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

Lionel Messi is rated by most as the best player in the world. Messi plays as a striker for Barcelona and is a prolific goal-scorer. Messi has scored over 30 league goals in both of the last two seasons in La Liga and scored twice in the opening game this season.

Messi is one of the greatest footballers we have ever seen. But the scary part is that he is still only 24 and can still achieve so much. It will be interesting to see if Messi ever leaves Barcelona to try his luck at a different club in a different league. However, it seems unlikely he will want to leave with Barcelona having such a successful period.

Messi plays his international football for Argentina. Some critics have said that he hasn’t always played as well for his country. But he has still managed to play 60 odd games, scoring 17 goals.

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