Top 10 Best Football Players 2012

Football is the most popular and the most watched game in the world. There are many great football players currently playing in different leagues. Teams like Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Juventus, Bayern Munich and many more currently have some of the best players playing for them. Generally it used to be the Brazilian football players that were most talented but now the paradigm has shifted and it is the Spanish and Italian football players that are on top. To make a top ten list for the best football players of 2012 is never easy given the huge pool of talented football players.

Here is the list of the top 10 best football players in 2012:

10. Thiago Silva

Thiago Silva

Thiago Silva is hands down, the best defender in football. The Brazilian has been instrumental for his club AC Milan. 28 years of age, he has developed into a great football player. He was on radar of Barcelona but he rejected a move their and joined PSG instead. PSG would be hoping that this football player and a great defender can carry on his work at AC Milan to PSG.

9. Mesut Ozil

Mesut Ozil

Mesut Ozil burst onto the football scene during the World Cup 2010 where he was instrumental in Germany’s attacking style of football. Ozil is a Real Madrid player. He has been impressive for the last 2 years and was a key member of the squad that won the La Liga 2011-12. Ozil plays in attacking midfield. With the great potential that he has, he may become one of the best football players of his generation.

8. Andrea Pirlo

Andrea Pirlo

The Italian is 33 years old and still one of the best midfield threats in the world. He made a move to Juventus after 10 years at AC Milan. He is known for his creativity and long passing. He helped Italy to their 4th World Cup in 2006. He is truly a legend in world football.

7. Frank Ribery

Frank Ribery

The Frenchman plays his club football at Bayern Munich. He was instrumental this season for guiding Bayern to the finals of Champions League after upsetting favorites Real Madrid in the semi finals. He plays as a winger and is known for his skills and accurate passing. With Robben on the other wing and Gomez in the centre, he has helped Bayern establish as a lethal attacking team. He is regarded as one of the best French players of his generation. French legend, Zinedine Zidane called him the “jewel of French football”.

6. David Silva

David Silva

David Silva is a Spanish football player who plays his club football at Manchester City. He was instrumental in Manchester City this season, helping them win the Premiere League after more than 40 years. Known for his creativity and unique passing, he was also the member of the Spanish squad that lifted Euro 2012 as well as World Cup 2010.

5. Neymar

Neymar

This Brazilian football player lies at 5th in our list, but don’t be surprised if you see him at the top in the coming years. He plays his club football for Santos. He won the South American Footballer of the Year 2011. His speed, dribbling skills and finishing has cause comparison with Leo Messi and the Brazilian legend, Pele. Described as a “true phenomenon”, he plays as an attacker or winger. It is reported that he will move to Barcelona after the 2014 World Cup for $50Million.

4. Xavi Hernandez

Xavi

Xavi is a Spanish football player who plays his club football for FC Barcelona. Known for his creativity, precise passing and dribbling, he is the anchor on Barcelona midfield. He is a player who is respected by all and his ability to not give away the ball even from the tightest of positions is admired all over the world. He has won more trophies than any Spanish player and has received 5 Ballon d’Or nominations. He helped Spain win the Euro 2008 and 2012 as well as the World Cup 2010.

3. Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo

Ronaldo is a Portuguese player who plays his club football for Real Madrid. He is a great dribbler and possesses many skills. He is known for his quality free kicks and life outside football. He is sometimes criticized for being arrogant and a big-match failure; nevertheless he helped Real Madrid to win La Liga this season, beating Barcelona’s streak of 3 Ligas. He has been coming second to Messi in Ballon d’Or. Some people say that he was unlucky to be born at the time of Lionel Messi.

2. Andres Iniesta

Andres Iniesta

The Spanish plays his club football for Barcelona. Known for his outstanding dribbling, lethal passing and the ability to score crucial goals, he has become a Spanish legend in no time. He scored the winning goal in the World Cup final in Johannesburg. Combining with Xavi, he has destroyed and cut open many great defenses of opponents of both his club and Spain. He and Xavi are the machine that helps strikers like Messi and Villa score so many goals. Iniesta is a football player graceful to the eye. He was applauded in all stadiums of Spain while playing for Barcelona because of that World Cup winning goal that gave Spain their first World Cup title.

1. Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi

Majestic, Exciting, Sensational, Superhuman, Incredible. Words can’t describe Messi. The Argentine plays his club football for Barcelona. He is regarded as the greatest football player of all time. Former players call him better than legends, Maradonna and Pele. He is only 25 years of age and has won all trophies one can possibly win with his club, FC Barcelona. The trio of Xavi, Iniesta and Messi has helped Barcelona win 14 out of 17 titles in 4 years, leading to people claiming this is the best side ever in football history. This season, he scored a record 73 goals. He also became the first player to score 5 goals in a Champions League game. He also set a record of the most goals in La Liga this year by scoring a mammoth 50 goals. He is the richest footballer in the world with £29.6 million (€33 million) income.