The heir apparent: Neymar was instrumental in guiding Santos to their first Libertadores since 1963 and Pele’s pomp
50. Gokhan Inler
Udinese/Napoli and Switzerland
Age 27
Position Midfielder
When Gokhan Inler was unveiled as Napoli’s new signing this summer, he inexplicably wore a lion mask. Despite the absurdness of the situation, there is an easy link to make here. For much of last season, Inler roared around Italian pitches. His drive made him one of the most respected defensive midfielders in the world and playing a significant role in lifting Udinese to the Champions League places. Perhaps most importantly, though, Inler provided Udinese with the perfect balance. In a team that often showed alarming attacking instinct, the Swiss midfielder displayed a badly needed defensive discipline.
Ability 15/20
Club form 16/20
International form 3/5
Total 76
49. Arturo Vidal
Bayer Leverkusen/Juventus and Chile
Age 24
Position Midfielder
Very versatile and even more valuable. To illustrate Vidal’s adaptability, he’s played in virtually every outfield position in every tactical system and last season provided 10 goals and 11 assists from nominal defensive midfield. That tally also helped take Bayer Leverkusen to second in the Bundesliga and complete their best season in almost a decade. What’s more, it marked Vidal’s maturation to a truly complete midfielder capable of running games. Having moved to Juventus this summer, he only added to his reputation with some of the most assured displays in the Copa America. Combines tenacity with true technique.
Ability 16/20
Club form 15/20
International form 7/10
Total 76
48. Eden Hazard
Lille and Belgium
Age 20
Position Attacking midfielder/winger
The Belgian attacker has followed the line of Karim Benzema, Yoann Gourcuff and Michael Essien as the French league’s single leading light. The difference is that Hazard is potentially better than all of them. At just 20 years of age, he had a remarkable individual effect on an already cohesive Lille team’s remarkable double – combining hard craft with moments of real art. Granted, seven goals and 10 assists in 38 games aren’t quite comparable to Cristiano Ronaldo/Leo Messi levels just yet. But his ability is.
Zinedine Zidane has already said “I’d sign him for Real Madrid with my eyes closed.” Hazard’s blend of speed, ability and outright invention has seen him described as a cross between the world’s two marquee attackers. And it’s going to be fascinating to see what he produces now he’s finally in the Champions League with them.
Ability 16/20
Club form 15/20
International form 2/3
Total 76
47. Diego Forlan
Atletico Madrid and Uruguay
Age 32
Position Forward/striker
“Ni un balon a la rubia” – not one ball to the blonde one. It was the quote that summed up Forlan’s difficult club season, as his Atletico Madrid teammates apparently refused to pass him the ball. By then, of course, Forlan had already received one much more important ball: the Golden one given out for the World Cup’s best player. And, having seen his career peak in South Africa last summer, a dip was always going to be someway understandable. In truth, though, some of Forlan’s troubles were down to his own high standards. With many of the Atletico squad and hierarchy often put out by his Roy Keane levels of expectation, the relationship was reversed when the season began with injury, anxiety and a lot of bad results. Forlan had always come off of as an aggressive driver and no wonder, fell into the ditch of an accident. By the end, though, Forlan had still scored eight times and illustrated his own style of selflessness in a much more productive way: operating in his less favoured playmaker role, he proved influential for his country again as he scored twice in the Copa America final to cap another fine international tournament.
Ability 17/20
Club form 13/20
International form 7/10
Total 76
46. Ganso
Santos and Brazil
Age 21
Position Attacking midfielder
One of the few Brazilian players to come out of the Copa America with some credit. But, even without his respectable performances in the tournament, Ganso had already earned an awful lot more. His return from a six-week injury lay-off proved crucial to Santos’s first Copa America since 1963. Bland in the first leg of the final against Penarol, the Brazilian side suddenly looked brilliant as they benefitted from Ganso’s sensational range of passing. Indeed it was his vision that brought the best out of Neymar, with Jonathan Wilson likening his long-range passes to those of Gerson in the 1970 World Cup. High praise. But Ganso clearly has the highest quality.
Ability 16/20
Club form 15/20
International form 7/10
Total 76
45. Yaya Toure
Manchester City and Ivory Coast
Age 28
Position Defensive/central/attacking midfielder
Deployed in a new position but also delivered his club to new heights. Yaya Toure wasn’t exactly creative as Manchester City’s most attacking central midfielder. But he was consistent. His driving runs were a key part of Roberto Mancini’s disciplined, occasionally direct approach and also resulted in the two most important goals of the club’s brand new era: the FA Cup final winner that brought City’s first trophy in 35 years; and, arguably more importantly, the key semi-final strike against Manchester United. If City are to truly kick on and become the club they’re cash suggests they’re capable of, then Toure’s impetus is going to be an important factor.
Ability 15/20
Club form 16/20
International form 2/3
Total 76
44. Neymar
Santos and Brazil
Age 19
Position Forward
As Santos celebrated their first Copa Libertadores since Pele was in his pomp, the man himself was in the stand weeping tears of joy. On the pitch itself, the star of the final against Penarol was doing the exact same.
That isn’t the only parallel that’s been drawn between Neymar and Pele. Often described as Brazil’s heir apparent, the 19-year-old’s exact qualities have been compared to those of the country’s greatest ever player. Santos president Luis Alvaro even went so far as to suggest a similar “life contract” as that which prevented Pele leaving the club.
In reality, of course, Neymar still has a lot to learn in order to maximise his outrageous talent. But there were signs that process was starting in the Copa Libertadores run. Neymar showed admirable mental resilience to overcome the disappointment of the first leg and completely dominate the second. It followed a fantastic 2010 and some sparkling displays at international level.
Ability 16/20
Club form 16/20
International form 6/10
Total 76
43. Robin van Persie
Arsenal and Netherlands
Age 28
Position Forward
Only the fact that Van Persie missed so much of the season means he misses out on the top tiers of this list. Because, when he was on a pitch he was exquisite. Van Persie ended up the Premier League’s most productive player with 18 goals and seven assists in 25 games – or, in other words, a key contribution every match.
The feeling remains, however, that he will never fulfil is true potential so long as his campaigns keep getting interrupted by injury and his club keep persisting without more players of his influence.
Ability 16/20
Club form 15/20
International form 3/5
Total 76
42. Ashley Cole
Chelsea and England
Age 30
Position Left-back
Evidently flawed off the pitch but almost flawless on it. Patrice Evra’s slump and Fabio Coentrao’s slight dip have seen Cole reclaim his place as the world’s best left-back. So assured and consistent, Cole was a model of consistency despite the rest of the Chelsea team descending into chaos between November and February. The only real mark against him is the manner in which Antonio Valencia tore him apart at Old Trafford in the Premier League title decider. But the fact that defeat stands out amid so much consistency is testament to his quality.
Ability 16/20
Club form 15/20
International form 3/5
Total 76
41. Ricardo Carvalho
Real Madrid and Portugal
Age 33
Position Central defender
Having lost a little of his sharpness, Carvalho is a defender whose age means his career is at something of a crossroad. Indeed, two contrasting images from separate stages of last season illustrate this best: the first at Camp Nou, as he manfully tried to tie Real Madrid’s wayward defence together while Barcelona tore them apart; the second, in Seville, as he put in yet another sterling display in the Copa del Rey final.
Whatever of his slight decline, the fact Carvalho is still one of the best natural defenders in the game ensures he remains a key part of Jose Mourinho’s master-plan.
Ability 16
Club form 15
International form 3/5
Total 76