Best of 2013: Top 5 Barcelona players

3. Sergio Busquets –

He may not be your ideal ‘wallpaper material’ footballer, but he definitely is one of the most special footballers you would ever see play.

Some people will be shocked to see Sergio Busquets making the list, but believe-it-or-not, the 25-year-old has every right to be on it. Forget his rare yet unusual on-field antics; he is one heck of a footballer when scrutinized fairly. Who doesn’t have a few cons? The fact is that he is Barcelona’s most important player after 4-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi.

His anticipation of opponent’s moves, his quick reading of the game and ever-so-well timed interceptions helps Catalans giants’ awkwardly mediocre defensive wall massively. Not to forget his crisp, no nonsense passing which gives likes of Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta some space to play those worldly assists upfront. 2013 arguably saw him rise to his very best as his contributions drew deserving applauses.

Cesar Menotti sums him up well – “He’s one of the greatest talents that has been given to Spanish football. This is a discovery. The first time I saw Busquets playing; I called a friend and said: ‘I saw a player from an extinct species’. He’s a star.”