Best footballers in the world after Messi and Ronaldo

Messi or Ronaldo, who is the best? It isfootballs most-askedquestion, a source of debates that never end. Fans all over the world argue as to who should top the list of the best footballers in the world. One thing is for sure, in every such list, two names will be at the top two positions. Messi and Ronaldo alternate between no.1 and no.2.But what about the rest?Assuming that Messi and Ronaldo are the best two, who comes next?Heres a list of the best footballers in the world after Messi and Ronaldo. If you disagree with any of the names here, feel free to post your own lists in the comments section.

#5 Philipp Lahm

Would it be an exaggeration to state that Philipp Lahm is the best full-back of his generation? There are those who will not agree, saying that the world champion deserves an even higher place among the world’s best footballers.

Wherever he has played on the pitch, Lahm has made his presence felt. In a way that makes you think that ‘consistency’ is his middle name, he has been near the very top ever since he made his debut around a decade ago. Passing, crossing and occasionally shooting, Lahm has impressed with his skills. He started out at right-back and although he was shifted between the two flanks and then to central midfield by various managers whenever the need arose, he has always shown his adaptability. Industry, spirit and leadership have been the hallmarks of his game as he grew up to be an indispensable part of the Bayern and Germany teams.

In the world of football today, you may be super-talented but unless you win silverware you don’t mean much. That’s not a problem at all for Lahm; he’s won almost everything there is to win – most of it as captain.

Honourable mentions (in no particular order) : Franck Ribery, Thomas Müller, Gareth Bale, Arturo Vidal, Manuel Neuer, Neymar

#4 Andres Iniesta

Lionel Messi may have been the face of Barcelona’s domination during the past decade but the engine was someone else. The creative spark and much of the work behind it all came from Andres Iniesta.

There is a certain delight in watching Iniesta play. We stare in wonder when he uses the ball with machine-like efficiency. Every touch and every pass seems magical. He can perform well in different areas on the pitch and this versatility has been used very well by his coaches. You can see him sending in inch-perfect crosses from the wing, or waltz through defences with the aid of deft touches, sharp turns or telepathic one-twos with his mates.

In his role as the conductor of the tiki-taka opera, he has racked up over a century of assists; but he also pops up to score some really important goals: like a goal he scored in Johannesburg’s Soccer City in the summer of 2010.

That he played in the same era and team as Messi may have obscured his true value and abilities to many people. But in the eyes of his peers, this humble maestro remains a crucial, if not the most crucial, element of the Spain and Barcelona teams that have mesmerised fans the world over.

#3 Zlatan Ibrahimovic

The name itself carries an aura around it. He may not win the Champions League and he may not go to the World Cup but nobody will deny that Zlatan Ibrahimovic deserves a place near the very top. Brute strength and outrageous shooting ability make him a terrorising prospect for all those who face him. He is the foremost of football’s present-day journeymen, playing for many of Europe’s storied teams and winning league titles in four different countries.

What sets Zlatan apart from all his rivals is his tendency to bring out some truly unexpected moments of brilliance into the game. He always seems to have an eye for the goal, from the most unbelievable distances and angles. Who other than Zlatan can attempt a bicycle kick from 35 yards out..and score? His repertoire of goalscoring moves does not end there; it also includes exquisite karate kicks and cheeky backheels. Everything combines to make him the near-perfect entertainment package.

And of course, there is the issue of his seemingly arrogant demeanor. The kind that makes him say: “The World Cup won’t be worth watching without me.” But does it really matter? It’s what makes him him. After all that he’s done with his feet, we can tolerate that. I’m sure Zlatan will agree.

#2 Arjen Robben

As one internet meme goes, Hes 30, looks like hes 50 and plays like hes 20. Arjen Robben simply gets better and better with time. It is quite astounding to note that two of Europes biggest clubs, Chelsea and Real Madrid, let him go off their books before he was 26. Their loss turned into Bayern Munichs gain as the bald Dutchman played a starring role to take them tothreeChampions League finals in four years.

The sight of a rampaging Robben on the wings is a treat for the eyes. With speed that was clocked as the fastest in World Cup history, he is able to beat defenders with effortless ease and leave them watching in awe. In what is now known as his trademark move, he darts past players and then cuts in, takes a few more steps before unleashing an unstoppable shot. You can expect whats coming, but you cannot stop him.

Yes, he has been criticized for his apparent dislike of passing the ball, but one can argue that he does his fair share of putting in good crosses. In any case, his dribbling ability has been good enough to win matches for club and country, so few will complain.

#1 Luis Suarez

Luis Suarez’s genius may be overshadowed by his many unsavoury antics, but it cannot be ignored. He is a masterfully creative player, full of energy and spirit, having within him the ability to turn a match on its head. He has an enviable combination of speed, agility, vision and technique – something which ensures goals. He twists, he turns and then he sets off. It’s what made the Kop sing: “I just can’t get enough!”

It won’t be an exaggeration to say that Suarez was the main force behind Liverpool’s recent revival. In between all the bans and controversies, he has lifted the Reds close to its former heights and that’s not an easy task.

Before his World Cup turned sour after biting Chiellini, Suarez had produced a superb individual performance to send England on its way out of the tournament. Unbelievably, it came just less than a month after a surgery on his left knee. It showed that this was a player of indomitable spirit.

His never-give-up attitude fuels him on and occasionally, contributes to controversy. That aside, he’s someone a manager can always rely on to come to rescue. No wonder then that Barcelona decided to spend 81 million euros to get him to Camp Nou.