Sportskeeda's list of 50 best players playing currently: 40-31

To break into the upper echelons of football royalty, one must blend passion with temperament, focus with desire and, ultimately, must maintain top form throughout the most part of their career. New talents are being scouted as we speak and it can, therefore, be challenging to take a snapshot of the football landscape as it is now… but that’s exactly what I have done.

In a, frankly, subjective piece, which it is impossible to gain unanimous agreement with, I have sprinkled my search for the greatest fifty players in the world with a pinch of objectivity by using weighted averages to determine who comes out on top.

Each player was allocated a score out of 100 for their ‘Overall Ability’ (technique, goal-scoring records / defensive records), their ‘Success’ (team and individual trophies won during their career, relative to their age and time in the game) and their ‘Recent Form’ (how they’ve performed throughout this calendar year, injuries, etc. have been taken into account). The former was attributed with a weighting of 40%, the most important aspect to consider, while the other two categories were each given a 30% weighting.

An average was then taken, and other factors such as potential and importance to their team were taken into account. So if you have any serious qualms with the choices made, remember that statistics have been used to back-up the views in this article.

With too much eye-watering detail to cram into a single piece, this is a ‘Sportskeeda Series’. Here’s a look at those positioned from 40 to 31.

#40 Karim Benzema

He may have been tied up in numerous scandals over the years, the most recent of which has led to a ban from the national team, but fierce Frenchman Benzema remains one of the most sought-after forwards in the world.

In his final two seasons for Olympique Lyonnais, the now 28-year-old scored over 50 goals before current club Real Madrid snapped him up for €35 million. Few players can boast the accolades Benzema has won, from the prestigious UEFA Champions League crown to numerous La Liga and Copa del Rey titles.

While Los Blancos have gone through the likes of Gonzalo Higuain, Alvaro Morata and Gareth Bale in their more recent front-line metamorphoses, Benzema has remained a consistent component of one of the continent’s most lethal strike forces.

With pace and strength in his locker, Benzema is arguably the complete forward and is only just reaching his peak. Karim silenced critics recently, rubbishing questions over his contribution to the team with a last-gasp winner against Sporting Lisbon; a goal that now confirms him as the sixth highest Champions League goal-scorer of all time.

#39 Alexis Sanchez

"My family was so poor that football for me was about survival. Football saved me."

These are touching words from Sanchez himself who, despite having played in three of Europe’s most prestigious leagues, was born into rather modest circumstances in Tocopilla, northern Chile.

‘El Nino Maravilla’ or ‘The Wonder Boy’ is not averse to breaking boundaries, currently holding the record for the most goals scored in a single game by a Chilean after he scored four in Udinese’s 7-0 thumping of Palermo in 2011.

His quick feet have been equated to wizardry, eluding defences with ease and always playing to his maximum, whether that involves lashing in a screamer from thirty yards or covering the run of the opposition full-back.

His hat-trick in a 5-1 mauling of West Ham recently outlines how, contrary to the belief of some, he is still one of the finest frontmen in the world. Sanchez has had to be flexible and adaptable many a time in his career, not least most recently at Arsenal, where he has had to play across the entire front line.

#38 Thiago Silva

Thiago Silva’s story has every element of a traditional rags-to-riches tale. His life was nearly taken before it begun, given that his parents contemplated abortion and the desolate circumstances he was born into, supplies reason for why they may have considered such an action.

From a dilapidated shantytown in the heart of Rio de Janeiro Brazil to living the high life in Paris, Thiago Silva’s raw, instinctive quality as a centre-half has been one of the few consistent aspects of his life so far. The second most expensive defender of all-time snapped up by PSG for €42 million in 2012; Silva has won four consecutive Ligue 1 titles in the French capital, as well as three successive Coupe de la Ligue crowns.

The 32-year-old adds both bulk and finesse to PSG's and Brazil’s backlines, appearing not only competent in possession but also very strong when it comes to aerial duels.

In Ligue 1 last season he maintained an average pass completion of 95%, superior to that of Andres Iniesta, fellow ball-playing defender Gerard Piqué and teammate Marco Verratti’s.

#37 Angel Di Maria

In his debut season with PSG, Di Maria bounced back from a miserable spell with Manchester United by scoring ten goals over the course of the 2015/16 campaign, creating a further 98 chances for teammates. His goal return this season may not read so impressive, but his contributions regarding chances created and assists have been impressive.

His overall quality has shown itself in glimpses at every stage in his career, even in the BPL, outlining that this is no one-trick pony. Di Maria’s refreshing, candid response to criticism regarding his time in England outlines his honesty and good footballing brain, “life in England was difficult, and it isn't easy for a South American. Some people adapt, but for others, it is harder.”

The Argentinian has come a long way since being purchased for 30 footballs by Rosario Central in 1995 as finally looks settled in the heart of France. His current form is steady, and he’s certainly experienced success, while his overall ability seems to be hitting its peak.

#36 Kevin De Bruyne

"At Werder Bremen, he didn’t need to prove himself so much. This is a different reality. He’s competing against very good players, so every minute he’s on the pitch he has to work really hard."

These are the words of a very stubborn José Mourinho following De Bruyne’s run-out for Chelsea in a League Cup game with Swindon, just a few months after he was named the Bundesliga’s Young Player of the Season for 2011/12.

Four years and more than £70 million in combined transfer fees later and De Bruyne is one of the Premier League’s hottest prospects, catalysing one of the most dangerous attacks in the country. Already this campaign the Belgian has two goals to his name, as well as having amassed a total of 40 chances created.

Except for the aforementioned individual accolade, the one aspect of De Bruyne holding him back is his success in terms of trophies, or rather an absence of it. To be acknowledged as one of the greats, the 25-year-old needs more than a couple of domestic titles. Fortunately, he has more than enough time on his side to do just that.

#35 Leonardo Bonucci

The underrated gem in the Azzurri crown, Leonardo Bonucci is more than capable of succeeding Giorgio Chiellini as the bedrock of Serie A’s finest defence.

Sandwiched between two Old Lady veterans in an unorthodox back three in Turin, Bonucci has grown in every aspect of his game, in particular boasting a strength in possession which enables him to venture into midfield when necessary.

The 29-year-old is always at the forefront of the action, as outlined by his average of 7 defensive actions per game last season, coupled with an average pass completion rate of 87%. He has learnt from some of the greatest in the game and has won six Serie A titles and three Italian Cups in his Turin-based tenure.

Although by no means a spring chicken, Bonucci still has time for further improvement given his position and his uncharacteristic versatility provides only more reason for him to be acknowledged as one of the most complete defenders in the game.

#34 Phillipe Coutinho

The Brazilian may have superseded Steven Gerrard as the main-man on Merseyside, but he hasn’t forgotten those who were pivotal in his ascent, claiming that he has a “special gratitude” for Brendan Rodgers in particular who signed Coutinho from Inter in 2013 for a modest £8.5 million.

His ability, and with it his rumoured price tag, have both ballooned since. In many respects, the 24-year-old epitomises everything about the growing philosophy at Anfield – emphasis on youth and energetic, fast-paced football. His reputation as a dead-ball specialist is by no means an overstatement either, given his catalogue of block-busting strikes this term so far.

The Premier League is very much wide open this season, and Liverpool are among the most likely to cause an upset. Coutinho’s been crucial in this success so far, having scored on five occasions, creating 33 chances and maintaining an average pass completion of 84%. He’s well suited to a quick counter-attacking style of play but would also be adept in a more possession-orientated set-up.

#33 Ivan Rakitic

Although certainly not a direct replacement for virtuoso Xavi, Barcelona’s purchase of Rakitic in 2014 was undoubtedly due to a desperate need for midfield personnel. Since then, the now 28-year-old’s direct approach has rendered him a first-team inclusion.

Last campaign, the Croatian national player made a total of 1538 successful passes at an impressive completion rate of 88%. So, he may not dictate the game to the degree Xavi did, but he’s proven to fit the Barcelona system well, operating on occasion as a number-ten and, on others, as a holding player.

Rakitic sought immediate success with the Catalans, winning the treble in his debut season and scoring the opener in the Champions League final itself. His position requires excellent stamina, vision and mental resolve; all traits he has in abundance. It’s been a positive start to life at the Nou Camp for Rakitic who still has an opportunity for improvement and will be looking to emulate last season’s heroics with Barca this time around too.

#32 Eden Hazard

When questioned about the Belgian brilliance that is Eden Hazard at the end of Chelsea’s faultless 2014/15 Premier League campaign, Alan Smith heralded the 25-year-old not for his sexy skill or blistering pace, but for a rather unorthodox attribute.

“I am actually talking about the Belgian’s durability, about his ability to ride all the tackles and sly kicks off the ball and come back fighting. There is a lot to be said for that.”

Smith is right. For many, what makes Hazard such an exceptional talent is the fact he combines flair with focus. This term so far, October’s Player of the Month has won an average 69% of all duels and has made ten interceptions, just two shy of the total number he achieved over the course of last season.

The Belgian has adapted following Chelsea’s miserable 2015/16 season to contribute at both ends of the field, and he’s a significantly improved player for it; this outlines superb maturity and a great footballing brain.

If I were writing this piece in six months time, I’d put good money on Hazard infringing on the top ten, given that the only aspect of his game letting him down at the moment is his form over the past twelve months.

Mesmerising feet, a rifle of a strike outside of the box and composure in tricky situations, Hazard is destined to be one of, if not the greatest, wide-man in Premier League history.

#31 Gerard Pique

More than 230 appearances and eight years in Catalan country, Gerard Piqué is a Barcelona veteran, moulded into the player he is by the club’s philosophy. His success with the Spaniards is unprecedented; he has three Champions League crowns, six La Liga titles and four Copa del Rey wins, not to mention the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship triumphs with Spain.

He is an indispensable member of the Barca back-line. Last season, for example, he made an average of 6 defensive actions per game, meanwhile completing, on average, 90% of his passes. If any defender ever did encapsulate the concept of ‘playing out from the back’, it’s Pique.

To say Barcelona have been slow starters this season would be a little harsh, but they do trail Real Madrid by more points they would like, and cynics would argue Pique is gradually beginning to decline. Nonetheless, he deserves his place on this list and among the all-time greatest defenders, and some would even argue that this position simply doesn’t do the Spaniard’s glittering career justice.

For me, it’s his below par recent form coupled with a lack of further potential, as well as the fact he’s only really thrived at one club in his career which holds him back ever-so-slightly.