Best XI footballers of the past decade (2004-2014)

In the past decade, football has often been criticized for being too result-oriented which has resulted in the beauty of it being prized away. However, there are certainly many players who would oppose this conviction. As we speak of them, let’s take a look at the best players of the past decade:Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are of the author and may not necessarily represent those of Sportskeeda

#1 GK: Iker Casillas

This was a tough battle between Iker Casillas and Gianlungi Buffon. While Buffon won the World Cup in 2006, Italy haven’t been anything spectacular since then.

While Casillas has won three other major tournaments and established himself as one of game’s greatest goalkeepers. Surely, he deserves to be in this list.

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#2 RB: Philipp Lahm

When Pep Guardiola calls you the most intelligent player he has ever worked with, then you are not ordinary.

Long overshadowed due to Bayern’s perennial choking in European competitions, Lahm finally had his moment in the sun last season as he won the Champions League for the first time in his career.

He certainly is the best right back of the past decade.

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#3 CB: Rio Ferdinand

While there may be calls for this article being biased towards Manchester United there is honestly no defensive duo could lay claim to have been better than this one.

To complement Vidic’s aggressive style, Ferdinand had a more calculated approach to the game and was a master at reading the ball. Perhaps, that’s why he still remains one of the most expensive defenders.

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#4 CB: Nemanja Vidic

Fabio Cannavaro was a rock at the back for Italy. Cannavaro redefined defending in present-day football. Although you may not agree, Vidic came bloody close to Cannavaro in terms of the quality of defending.

A no-nonsense defender with a dominating physical presence and blistering pace, Vidic was the complete package. Every striker in the world would fear to take on Vidic and that was no surprise. Vidic was so good he won the Premier League player of the year award twice.

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#5 LB: Ashley Cole

You may not like him because of his aging or his racial allegations. But say what? He is one of the best left backs football had ever seen. He was not the attacking force that Carlos was nor was he the defensive genius that Maldini was.

He was a left back whose game suited the modern day and he was beautifully balanced between attacking prowess and defensive stability. Although he is past his prime, the last few years have clearly showed why he is next to none in that spot.

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#6 CM: Xavi Hernandez

When you have more medals than the age of the world’s most expensive player, you certainly are a genius. Xavi Hernandez, is the heartbeat of the Spanish national team and Barcelona.

Having won three major trophies with Spain, he was at the helm as Spain dominated the world. His passing and creativity are second to none.

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#7 CM: Andrea Pirlo

If Xavi was a master, Pirlo was an artist. Pirlo exuded brilliance. Ever since his first touch of the ball, Pirlo was deemed as a brilliant player. Pirlo had one of the silkiest touches of the ball and his brilliance on the field is unmatched.

When Italy won the World Cup in 2006, Pirlo was highly uncredited but those who had seen him knew his class. He was right up there among the best.

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#8 RM: Cristiano Ronaldo

I need only say the name for you to shower praises. Two Ballon d’ors, more goals than matches for Real Madrid and a stunning girlfriend to supplement it, Cristiano Ronaldo is the complete package.

He is one of the most talented players in the history of football and a proven goalscorer. His style of play has been highly regarded by the greats of the game and it is no surprise he is called as the best player of this generation.

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#9 AM: Kaka

The archetype of the Brazilian Trequartista, Kaka was a quintessential playmaker. He possessed the elegance of an artist, the touch of a maestro and the charisma of a superstar.

Kaka, at Milan was nearly unstoppable. Believe me when I say he left Vidic scathing for breath and that is not easy. Kaka was a gifted footballer whose humane qualities remained unaffected.

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#10 LM: Andres Iniesta

In the Barcelona side, he was the man with Midas touch. One of the most technically gifted players, Iniesta is the torch bearer of Barcelona and Spain. Alongside his good friend Xavi, there are literally no defenses that are yet to be taken down by him.

Iniesta was a virtuoso with the ball. He made football look easy. He was the ‘Zidane’ of Barcelona. His ball control was second to none and so were his accomplishments as a player.

I would have no hesitation in saying he was the finest Spaniard to emerge out of La Masia.

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#11 ST: Lionel Messi

Who else? If not Messi, who else? It is Messi. Arguably the greatest player ever to have stripped the blue and red of Barcelona, Lionel Messi is their all-time top goalscorer.

Lionel Messi is perhaps the greatest footballer of the modern era and a World Cup is all that stands between him and that distinction. With a record braking 4 Ballon d’ors to his name, few would argue that he has been the best player of the past decade.

Subs : Gianlungi Buffon, Francesco Totti, Carlos Puyol, Wayne Rooney, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Arjen Robben, Frank Ribery

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