Top 10 playmakers in the history of European football

Cesc Fabregas and Mesut Ozil have created chances galore in the last few seasonsand they will go down in history as some of the all time great playmakers in Europe.×Proofread A playmaker doesn’t have a defined role. He can be a more controlling deep lying playmaker who looks to maintain possession or he can be an incisive attacking minded playmaker that provides the killer instinct by trying to find a more dangerous defence splitting pass.What is common among the two is that they are a team’s prime creators; the hook that joins midfield and attack. Players who dictate play through their passing, creativity and vision. They are not necessarily constrained to a single position. Their supreme technical ability allows them to play a combination of different roles, often operating in a free position to become the focal point of their teams attack.Through the years, playmakers have graced football pitches displaying their passing, vision, tactical intelligence, movement and composure. All of them have tried to put their own mark on this role. Some have even gone on to redefine it. They are the primary attraction in football; the ones who draw the crowds and in essence capture all that we love about the beautiful game. Here are the top 10 playmakers in the history of modern European football.Disclaimer: The views expressed here are that of the author and do not reflect those of the website.

#10 Francesco Totti

It is difficult to accurately define Francesco Totti as a player. Is he a striker? A centre forward? A winger? A midfielder?

At various times in in his long and illustrious career he has played in all of those positions. His all-round talent for passing, shooting and dribbling has made him excel wherever he played.

His imagination to shape a game is matched by his breathtaking ability to pick out a pass; making him one of the most unique, creative and unpredictable players to ever play the game.

He has been the fulcrum of Roma’s midfield for his entire career. He is still performing at a high level with the club even though he is now 38 years old, which is remarkable. It is perhaps sad that he could not win more silverware, but that will never take away the genius he possesses.

#9 Xavi Hernndez

Xavi is one of the most influential players of our generation.

He was the main reason why the tiki-taka style of football was so successful at Barcelona. His understanding of the game allows his simple football to be at times more attractive than the fancy back heels, step-overs and flicks of more attack minded players.

The Spaniard always wants the ball. He tries to dictate the game by constantly making space looking for it. He has the ability to pass the ball like no one else can, which is why he completes an astounding 90 passes (on an average) per game at an incredible 90% accuracy.

Having played for Barcelona all his life, he was never quite appreciated as the stand-out individual, but always noted for elevating the overall performance of the team.

#8 Roberto Baggio

It is unfortunate that Roberto Baggio is remembered more for his penalty miss at the 1994 World Cup than his playing ability. Nothing should overshadow what a truly remarkable player he was.

Baggio was a classic playmaker blessed with exceptional technique and sublime dribbling skills. He brought a dynamism and athletic proficiency to the No.10 role that was never seen before.

The Divine Ponytail was simply breathtaking with the ball at his feet. He could execute any maneouver that flashed through his head and had the ability to, at will, score from any position inside the opposition’s half.

While others are burdened by the weight of expectations, Baggio thrived on it. He won the Ballon d'Or in 1993 and is regarded by many as the best Italian player of all time.

#7 Andrs Iniesta

Andres Iniesta came to prominence under Pep Guardiola, having previously been a reserve to the likes of Ronaldinho and Deco. He thrilled audiences worldwide with his artistry and elegance. Hidden away under his slight and unassuming frame was vision, skill, dribbling ability, incredible balance and an underrated work-rate.

Deployed either centrally or as a drifting left sided player, Iniesta controls football matches by letting the ball work for him. He is always in close attendance to aid his teammates. His peripheral vision is surely unparalleled in the modern game.

He was Man of the Match in the 2010 World Cup final which is a testament of his ability to actually raise his performance in the most important games.

He deservingly won the UEFA best player in Europe award in 2012 over Messi and Ronaldo, along with winning everything there is to win in football – both internationally and domestically – and will go down as one of the game’s greatest.

#6 Ronaldinho

It’s hard to think of anyone who could manipulate a football like Ronaldinho. It was almost as if the ball was a part of his body. He had it all; a blistering turn of pace, vision and dancing feet that left even the best of defenders bamboozled. He was even a set piece specialist.

Moreover, his awe-inspiring ball control, dribbling and passing skills made him almost impossible to contain at his best. He was capable of winning games on his own by coming up with a piece of magic that could unlock even the tightest of defences.

The Brazilian was an absolute joy to watch. Such was the way in which he destroyed teams that even when he got the better of Real Madrid, he received a standing ovation at the Santiago Bernabéu – something unheard of for a player playing in Barcelona colours.

His talents saw him be crowned the FIFA World Player of the Year twice and he will be remembered as arguably the most naturally gifted player the game has ever seen.

#5 Andrea Pirlo

Watching Andre Pirlo play through 90 minutes of a football match, you will hardly see him attempt the spectacular. In a game that has become so complicated, it has been his simplicity which has allowed him to stand above the rest.

Pirlo wasn’t the most mobile player, but he overcame that with his great positional sense. He learnt to defend intelligently without running around the pitch. The Italian redefined the role of a deep-lying playmaker and marveled fans worldwide with his football intelligence.

He doesn’t score or assist as much from open play, although he is a free kick specialist and the sight of him bending free kicks over the wall and in to the net has become all too familiar.

Pirlo represents the brains behind Italy’s play and does the same for his club side Juventus as well. He exerts total control over the game despite playing in a deep position. Only a handful of players can match him in that regard.

#4 Michael Laudrup

Michael Laudrup was a performer. It was like he created a symphony in midfield by stringing all his team-mates’ efforts together. Considered by many as one of the most technically accomplished players ever, he was the most critical part of Barcelona's legendary Dream Team.

The ‘Great Dane’ was blessed with magnificent feet, unparalleled vision and a four-dimensional dribbling ability. His team-mates knew that all they had to do was run, and Laudrup would surely find a way of get the ball to them.

Every skill for which Zinedine Zidane and Andrés Iniesta have become world renowned was first performed by Laudrup. Having played for rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona, the way he is revered by both sets of fans epitomizes his greatness.

Laudrup never craved the spotlight and always placed his team’s interests ahead of his own denying himself the recognition he deserved. This is why it is a tragedy that he never won the Ballon d’Or.

#3 Michel Platini

Michel Platini typified the player wearing the #10 jersey. His ability to find space in the final third would allow him to score an incredible 368 goals, despite being an attacking midfielder. He was a magnificent passer with the most fantastic vision, who was capable of shaping a game to suit his will.

Platini had a great understanding and handling of a football, which enabled him to play astounding passes, or try audacious shots both from open play and dead-ball situations.The Frenchman was not fast, but his exquisite control would render him virtually impervious to being tackled.

He was the orchestrator in charge of every attack his teams built up both at club and national team. This lead him to become the first player to win the European Footballer of the Year 3 times in a row and cemented his status as one of the greats.

#2 Zinedine Zidane

Zinedine Zidane lacked pace and didn’t have the flair and charisma that you would traditionally associate with a playmaker. But his majestic touch, poise and vision made sure that none of that mattered.

He was a rare breed. One who could not only orchestrate the game from a deep position but who could also, when required, move up the field to provide an incisive, creative final pass.

Zidane had an elegant style about him. He made football look too easy. There were times when the sheer force of his play alone dragged his club and country from despair to glory. The Frenchman was one of the few players who could replicate his success at club level with his country and was crowned FIFA World Player of the Year three times.

The greatest players are those who consistently perform on the biggest stage. His performances in final of the World Cup in 1998 and 2006 and the final of the Champions League in 2001 made sure he’ll be regarded as one of the greatest players ever.

#1 Johan Cruyff

No one player has had as much of an impact on the footballing world as Johan Cruyff. Not only did he possess outstanding technical ability, he also had an unparalleled vision of the game that no other football player could match. He seemed to be a step ahead of every other player on the pitch.

Cruyff was not a traditional playmaker. He played as a forward but his versatility enabled him to drop deep so as to have more of an influence on the game. That was a key aspect of the Total Football philosophy that he believed in.

The Dutchman was a great dribbler, had speed, acceleration and an outstanding ability to time a pass to perfection making him an absolute nightmare for opponents.

He dominated European football in the 1970s with Ajax, Barcelona and the Dutch national team and went on to be crowned the European Footballer of the Year three times. He even has a move named after him – The Cruyff Turn.