Best Footballers in the World: Top 10 South American Players this season

South America has always produced some phenomenal talents in the world of football. While the South American dominance in World Football is under threat from the commercial reach of European Football, some of the best players in the world right now are from the continent. These players bring a wonderful Latin American favour to the game of football and their talents continue to take European Club Football by storm.

As such, the top ten list draws up some interesting facts. For example, only one player from the Bundesliga make it into this list, while there are two each from Serie A, La Liga and the Premier League. But what might come as a surprise is that Ligue 1 has three of the top ten South Americans in the world playing in France this season.

The list is dominated by the Argentineans, who make up 3 of the top 5 and without further ado, let us take a look at the top 10 South American Footballer in the world this season. They will face one another in the upcoming Copa America 2019.

#10 James Rodriguez (Colombia, Bayern Munich)

Liverpool v FC Bayern Muenchen - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: First Leg

The Colombian is currently on loan from Real Madrid and is scheduled to return to the Bernabeu at the end of this season. Rodriguez has been riddled with injury problems this season, but when fit, he has given a decent account of himself. He has mostly been used as an attacking midfielder at Bayern and has excelled in the role for the German giants.

James Rodriguez has 7 goals from 17 appearances in the Bundesliga, where he has been in the starting eleven 12 times. He has also picked up 3 assists in the league. He has a further 6 appearances altogether in the UEFA Champions League and the DFB Pokal, but has not found the net in either tournament.

The Colombian recently got his first hattrick for Bayern against Mainz, a game where he was exceptional. Rodriguez has a bag full of tricks in his repertoire, but his brilliant left foot takes most of the credit. He is equally adept at attempting a dink, as he is at curling the ball into the far corner and his goal scoring precision makes him a pretty dangerous.

James Rodriguez is the 10th best South American Footballer in the world, based on his current form.

#9 Alex Sandro (Brazil, Juventus)

The Brazilian was a subject of intense speculation at the start of the year, when he was rumoured to be in Jose Mourinho's wish list. However, Sandro chose to stay in Italy and has been one of the best full-backs in the world this season.

Sandro is an indispensable part of the Juventus side who are comfortably poised at the top of the Serie A table. Even though the attacking left back has not scored a goal, he has three assists to his name this season and is integral to the way the Serie A side play. His versatility is also an asset, as Sandro has been used as a left midfielder twice this season already.

The Brazilian has decent ball skills and is very fast, which helps his cause as he goes on marauding runs through the wings. He is quite good at his defensive duties too - Sandro is a good tackler of the ball who likes to intercept the opposition attacks and start counters on his own.

#8 Marquinhos (Brazil, PSG)

Red Star Belgrade v Paris Saint-Germain - UEFA Champions League Group C

The Brazilian defender is one of the pillars of the Paris Saint-Germain team who have taken European Football by storm. PSG have scored the most goals in the top leagues of Europe this season and while their attacking superstars have taken all the credit, the defenders, especially the Brazilian, have laid out a stable backbone for the team to build upon.

Marquinhos is an extremely versatile player who is equally adept at playing Defensive Midfielder and Center back. While he is not the fastest player around, he makes up for it by his immaculate positioning and sound defensive skills. He has played both in defence and midfield for PSG this season, and has been commanding in both positions.

The Brazilian can also be a threat in front of goal, especially from set pieces and Marquinhos has already scored 4 times this season from 36 games. He is a brilliant passer of the ball and is the man who keeps this PSG team ticking regardless of where he plays.

#7 Alejandro Gomez (Argentina, Atalanta)

Papu Gomez, as he is better known as, wears the shirt No. 10 for Atalanta and is the creative hub of his team. The versatile Argentinean is basically a midfielder who can play through the left or through the center. But Papu is equally comfortable playing as the attacking midfielder, the secondary striker or even the center forward. He has appeared in all these positions for his club this season, but his best has arrived when he played as the second striker.

The Argentinean is very good at holding on to the ball and drawing his teammates into the game. He is a great dribbler and also a fantastic passer of the ball. He is good at set pieces as well as long rangers and likes to cut inside and take a shot at goal.

Papu has been fantastic for his team this season. He has scored 9 goals from 35 appearances and has also registered 9 assists.

#6 Fernandinho (Brazil, Manchester City)

Newport County AFC v Manchester City - FA Cup Fifth Round

Fernandinho is the most important player in Pep Guardiola's system at Manchester City. The Brazilian has missed a few games this season with injuries and City always look vulnerable without him in their ranks. Guardiola utilizes him as the defensive screen in his team, where Fernandinho's work ethics and tremendous footballing brain helps the City side barge forward with full freedom.

The Brazilian is so good at his position that Guardiola has been able to put two attacking midfielders alongside him, with extended creative freedom. While the attackers do their work, Fernandinho picks up the stray balls, nullifies the opposition attack and keeps the ball ticking. He is an excellent passer of the ball and is especially good at measured long balls.

Fernandinho is expected to hold the fort but has also contributed for City in the final third this season. He has 3 assists and 1 goal in the Premier League and is the 6th best South American in world football this season.

#5 Edinson Cavani (Uruguay, PSG)

The 32-year-old is one of the most feared strikers in the world and has been on fabulous form for PSG in recent years. Cavani has been crippled with injuries this season and has been forced to watch from the sidelines on more occasions that he would have like. Yet when he has been on the field, he has been extraordinary.

The Uruguayan is a center forward who is very strong and has the ability to hold the ball to bring his team mates into play. Cavani is very strong in the air and his passing ability is also quite good. However, if there's one thing that the Uruguayan is famous for, it's his finishing.

Cavani has already scored 17 goals from 16 games in Ligue 1 and has 22 goals from 27 games in all competitions this season. He has also registered 5 assists so far in the league and even though Cavani is currently sidelined with a muscle injury, he is still the 5th best South American footballer around right now.

#4 Angel di Maria (Argentina, PSG)

The Argentinean has been in scintillating form for his club this season and has been one of their most consistent performers so far. Di Maria has been equally comfortable on the left as well as the right for PSG and has appeared on both flanks for his club this season. He has also played as the secondary striker as well as the attacking midfielder and has excelled in all positions.

Di Maria is as fast as he is skilful and is a tireless worker who never gives up on the field. The Argentinean has a venomous left foot, and elegantly mixes poise with power on the field. He can send in curlers into the far corner as well as hit a rocket with equal ease and is also a gifted free kick taker. Di Maria is very good at setting up people and at attempting through passes.

The Argentinean has scored 16 goals this season from 39 appearances and also has 13 assists to his name.

#3 Luis Suarez (Uruguay, Barcelona)

Real Betis Balompie v FC Barcelona - La Liga

Luis Suarez has been on great form for Barcelona this season, even though he has lacked sharpness on many occasions. But the Uruguayan has a habit of rising to the occasions, as he did against Real Madrid in La Liga and as such, is still one of the best strikers around. He has scored 21 goals from 39 games in all competitions and has also picked up 11 assists.

The Uruguayan is very skilful on the ball and likes to play short passes near the box to open up the opposition defenses. He is quite strong on the ball and likes to lay off the ball for his team mates to take a shot at goal. He is also good at playing cross field long balls to initiated counter attacks from the deep when his team is under pressure.

On current form, Luis Suarez is the third best South American Footballer in the World

#2 Sergio Aguero (Argentina, Manchester City)

Manchester City v FC Schalke 04 - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: Second Leg

Sergio Aguero has been on fire this season. The Argentinean has been leading the charge for his club, as they try to defend their Premier League title under intense pressure from Liverpool. He is also leading the Golden Boot race in England at the moment.

The Argentinean is a lethal finisher and despite his size, can hold on to the ball with ease. He is very good in tight spaces, where his dribbling abilities are put to great use. The Manchester City forward is also a fantastic passer of the ball, who is blessed with a fantastic footballing brain. He is very good at playing the ball around the defenses near the box and can also shoot from distance with equal precision.

This season, Aguero has scored 18 goals from 26 appearances in the league and has 28 goals from 37 appearances in all competitions. The Argentinean is one of the best players in the world in current form, but is the second best footballer in his continent as well as his country.

#1 Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona)

When you are the best player in the world, it is hardly any surprise that you would top the rankings in your own continent. But Lionel Messi has been nothing short of spectacular this season too and it is this consistency that makes him the best in the world.

The Argentinean is a genius on the football pitch, an artist who is exceptional in front of the goal. He also takes the time to regularly churn up masterpieces that wow the opposition as well as his staunch supporters. However, he is more than just a goalscorer; Messi can score, he can assist, he can give moments of magic on the pitch and this season he has been in inspired form.

The Barcelona Skipper has already scored an incredible 39 goals from 37 games in all competitions. He also has 15 assists to his name and in the La Liga, he is leading the race to the Golden Boot by a mile, scoring 29 goals from 26 appearances. Lionel Messi is the best South American footballer as well as the best footballer in the world in current form.

Edited by Jong Ching Yee