Anyway, let's get the next ten players in the history books:
30. Michael Ballack (Chelsea) 91 points
Taareq Elsokari: What a twelve months this man has had. A year ago he would most likely gave been much much higher on this list, but after a torrid and below par season at Stamford Bridge his star has dropped. Ballack has been notorious for popping up with important goals as well as scoring some crackers. His all round general midfield play and his influence on a game was what made him a much sought after commodity.
Next season is a big season for the ex Bayern Munich captain as if he has another "stinker" then his star will drop even more heavily and quite possibly his legacy as one of the best central midfield players will be tarnished.
29. Adriano (Inter Milan) 103 points
Daniel Wilcox: There are few footballers in the world who combine as many necessary assets as well as Adriano does; the striker possesses great agility, which alone earns him countless goals for Inter Milan, but also has tremendous strength and a devastatingly delicate first touch. His ball control is also astounding.
For my money, Adriano is one of those rare strikers who has unlimited potential. Whether he lives up to that potential is debatable put 25 goals for Brazil is a mere 37 appearances is certainly no easy feat, and one that has earned him the praise of being "the new Ronaldo" from football fans and pundits alike.
28. Deco (Barcelona) 103 points
Taareq Elsokari: I've always been torn on Deco. As a footballer he is quality. Great passing ability as well as his ability to pop up in the box and score a crucial goal. He was undoubtedly the reason Porto did so well from an attacking point of view in 2005.
In saying that, he just constantly infuriates me with his play acting. It doesn't take much for him to go to ground and look for a free-kick or even a card or two. His constant attempt at conning the referee is what puts me off of him. But like I said, when he's on he definitely is on.
27. Fernando Torres (Liverpool) 105 points
Tim O'Sullivan: Are we still to believe the hype? Is he really that good? Has his form during the last season dragged his star down?
Valid questions, but ones that should surely be answered in a positive light towards the Spanish starlet. His now-famous goal against Ukraine in the World Cup was the moment everyone truly sat up and took notice – well those who don't watch La Liga, anyway. It made him one of the most coveted forwards on the planet, yet he stuck to his roots and remained an Athetico Madrid player. Not many players win games single handedly at Camp Nou, but Torres can claim to have done that in style.
Now its time to shine in the Premiership and Champions League, and everyone is excited to see if he can produce the goods. It's weird with Torres, because he is one of the only highly regarded strikers in Europe to not have a great goalscoring record. His general impact and verve still impressed, when others were bagging over twenty, and despite the impact of Kanoute and Forlan, Torres was still touted as La Liga's hottest young talent. It may take time, but the Spanish starlet could well be the Premiership's ideal replacement for Thierry Henry.
26. Paolo Maldini (AC Milan) 109 points
Colin Pigeau: As a testament to how much of an impact the Milan #3 has had, Milan has said that they are going to retire his shirt when Maldini retires. When was the last time that you can remember a football team retiring any number? If it was ever in vogue, there would be no #10 on any team.
The fact is, Maldini is the greatest left back to ever play, and he still looks evergreen. I still have Italians come to me to this day and go on about how George Weah robbed Maldini for World Player of the Year. He's just the best.
25. Gigi Buffon (Juventus) 110 points
Morgan Marx: With all the great players who abandoned ship following the Calciopoli scandal (Cannavaro, Emerson, Viera, Ibrahimovic) there were only two Juventus could not afford to lose: Del Piero, the heart and soul of the team, and Gianluigi Buffon, the best player. Once Buffon committed himself to achieving promotion, things weren't quite as bleak for the "The Old Lady."
When he transferred from Parma to Juventus for ?32 million, the fee announced him as the most valuable goalkeeper in the world. Four Serie A titles (two legitimate), one World Cup title, and numerous honours along the way now stand as achievements that speak for themselves. With Juventus having secured promotion back to the Serie A, the worry was that Buffon would leave to seek Champions League glory with another club. Instead, he signed on for another 4 years, an extension that reaffirms Juventus as a major power. You might argue that there are "better" goalkeepers in the world. But are any more valuable to their team than Gigi?
24. Raul (Real Madrid) 112 points
Taareq Elsokari: Ah the darling of Spanish football. The nineties was a great decade for Raul. He won everything there was to win with his beloved Real Madrid not just once but multiple times. He was the main catalyst for their success and was the only man to be able to do a lap of honour at the Nou Camp in the white of Madrid and not be murdered for it.
His vision, touch and finishing is phenomenal. The last few seasons haven't been kind to him as he's suffered a lack of form as well as a few injuries but from about January onwards we saw resurgence and the Raul of the past. One of few players in the world that I wish played for Man Utd.
23. Carlos Tevez (West Ham MSI) 113 points
Taareq Elsokari: Possibly one of the best talents around in world football today. His record for Corinthians was excellent and with him being Argentinean but still being adored by the fans just tells you how special a talent he is. His season at West Ham was a bumpy one that's for sure. Last August he was coveted by all of Europe's top sides but then ended up at West Ham. He then went through the pain of sitting on the bench before details of some possibly dodgy dealings started to filter into the media.
Despite all the off-field problems, he got his chance to shine and boy did he. He took his chance and became the darling of the Upton Park faithful as well someone who was respected and loved by opposing fans, well that is if you didn't support Sheffield Utd.
Talent wise he is extremely special and will undoubtedly get better when he gets a move to the top European side and plays regularly in the Champions League. Top player with potential of fitting into the top five in the world very soon.
22. Paul Scholes (Manchester United) 125 points
Daniel Wilcox: For my money, Paul Scholes is one of the best Manchester United players of all time and I do not think that that is an understatement. With that being said, Scholes' return to the squad at the start of last season was like a new signing for him and Scholes brought a whole new energy to United's performances. Let's not discount the fact that Scholes has been world class for a decade now.
His passing ability is that much better than just about every other player playing in England and maybe the world and his ability to pick a ball out of nowhere is unbelievable. Add to that his tremendous driving ability and a wicked shot, you have yourself one of the best players of the last 10 years. Here's hoping Scholes can produce the magic for a few more years.
21. Andrei Shevchenko (Chelsea) 127 points
Ian Wright: Tarnished his image may currently be following his disappointing first season with Chelsea but lets look at the figures, 117, 60; 208, 127; 73, 33. Those are the number of appearances made and goals scored over the course of Andrei Shevchenko's career for Dynamo Kiev, AC Milan and the Ukrainian national team.
He may lack the grace and flair of god Thierry Henry or the knack for being in the right place at the right time of Horseface Ruud Van Nistelrooy or the raw athleticism of Fatty fatty fat fat Ronaldo but to my mind Sheva is the great traditional style centre forward of the era. Good in the air, brilliant movement off the ball, strong on either foot, powerful running with the ball at his feet and the ability to pick a finish or to rocket the ball into the net if need be; in effect, the total package. And let's not forget that he has delivered where it counted; he's the second highest scorer in the history of European club competition, no one has scored more goals in the latter stages of the Champions League than he has and his tally of two goals in five matches for what was a poor Ukraine side at last year's World Cup is a perfectly respectable haul. And even if he fails to rediscover his previous form at Chelsea this season (and there's every chance he might) English fans would be wise to remember that the guy scuffing a sitter against Birmingham City was once the best in the world.
Not far off now. We enter the top twenty tomorrow.
If you want to discuss your positive or negative opinions on this list, go to the relevant thread on the 411 forums, here:
