Help me gain a greater understanding of this sport. Who are the best players in the world at each position and who do they play for (both professionally and country)?
There's the million dollar question. It largely comes down to individuals, but here are some of my thoughts GK: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid, Spain), Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus, Italy) come to mind; can't really separate them DR: Maybe Lahm (unsure maybe Bayern Munich, Germany also could be DL) or Daniel Alves (Sevilla, Brazil) DL: Personallly, I think Evra (Manchester United, France) but Ashley Cole (Chelsea, England) and others are up there too DC: Carlos Puyol (Barcelona, Spain), Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd, England), Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd, Serbia), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid, Spain also could be DR) DM: Michael Essien (Chelsea, Ghana), Gennero Gattuso (AC Milan, Italy) MR: Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd, Portugal) ML: Lionel Messi (Barcelona, Argentina) MC: Francesc Fabregas (Arsenal, Spain) AM: Kaka (AC Milan, Brazil) FC: Wayne Rooney (Man Utd, England), David Villa (Valencia, Spain), Didier Drogba (Chelsea, Ivory Coast) I will have left people out, so don't have a go at me
Daniel Alves moved to Barcelona this summer. Also, there's no way that Rooney belongs in that category over Fernando Torres or a few others. Torres and Villa belong, Drogba can go to. Rooney shouldn't be in this discussion considering he isn't the best forward on his own team.
Goalkeepers Goalkeepers usually tend not to reach their peak before their mid-30's like Edwin van der Sar of Manchester United, so a young star keeper is usually a very special talent that should never be let go. Gianluigi Buffon Country: Italy Club: Juventus Age: 30 Details: Noted as one of the two best goalkeepers of the past twenty years along with Peter Schmeichel Iker Casillas Country: Spain Club: Real Madrid Age: 27 Details: Won countless trophies with club and country including the recent EURO 2008 tournament Petr Čech Country: Czech Republic Club: Chelsea Age: 26 Details: Was once considered the best in the World, but since his injury has slowed down Igor Akinfeev Country: Russia Club: CSKA Moscow Age: 22 Details: At only 22 he's won trophies which include the UEFA Cup and six domestic titles Edwin van der Sar Country: Netherlands (retired) Club: Manchester United Age: 37 Details: He's past his prime, but still one of the best to lead a major club to win the UEFA Champions League Future star goalkeepers: Felipe (Santos FC), Hugo Lloris (Olympique Lyonnais), Rui Patricio (Sporting Portugal), Kasper Schmeichel (Manchester City), Bohdan Shust (Shakhtar Donetsk) and Oscar Ustari (Getafe) Defenders There are a couple of defender types including central, sweeper, fullback and wingback. Central defenders tend to be tall, though there are exceptions if the player is skilled enough. They tend to be powerful as well. Sweepers play a free role in the back covering gaps, but this position isn't used much these days outside of the United States and Italy. Fullbacks play on the left and right and most importantly they need to have high endurance. Other qualities that are important are the ability to pass the ball long for crosses into the opposition box, pace and reaction time to offside traps. The offside trap is also important for central defenders. Wingbacks are often deployed only when a team does not use fullbacks, side midfielders or wingers in their formation. You will often see wingbacks used when a team has three central defenders on the pitch. Their job is to play back when needed, but keep their mindset towards the offense. Cristian Chivu Country: Romania Club: Internazionale Milan Age: 27 Details: Originally a sweeper, he is versatile enough to play all defensive positions on the pitch Marcus Tulio Tanaka Country: Japan Club: Urawa Red Diamonds Age: 27 Details: Brazil-born Tulio is a sweeper by default, but can play all defensive positions including defensive and central midfielder; since 2004 he has scored 31 goals in 124 matches for his club Lucimar Ferreira da Silva Country: Brazil Club: Bayern München Age: 30 Details: Lúcio brings leadership, experience and strength to the central defense Per Mertesacker Country: Germany Club: Werder Bremen Age: 23 Details: A very tall central defender; he is nowhere near his prime and already considered the best central defender in Germany Luis Amaranto Perea Country: Colombia Club: Atlético Madrid Age: 29 Details: No defender in the World has better pace and combining his amazing endurance this makes covering gaps and marking his man an easy job; can play as a central defender or right back John Terry Country: England Club: Chelsea Age: 27 Details: Many speculate that he is overrated, but there is hardly a better captain in the World then John Terry; the central defender is loyal and works hard to get the win Kolo Habib Touré Country: Côte d'Ivoire Club: Arsenal Age: 27 Details: Another versatile player, he's often deployed as a central defender; possesses incredible pace and strength Daniel Alves Country: Brazil Club: Barcelona Age: 25 Details: Playing as right back or right wing, Alves is the perfect example of what you need to be great at to be the best at your position; a very loyal and emotional player Sergio Ramos Country: Spain Club: Real Madrid Age: 22 Details: Tall enough to be deployed as a central defender, but plays best as right back; Ramos is quick and has the ability to cut through the defense on the flank while remaining a serious defensive threat Philipp Lahm Country: Germany Club: Bayern München Age: 24 Details: Possessing incredible pace and dribbling skill, Lahm can attack like a forward and play tight defense even for his small size at 5'7" Marek Jankulovski Country: Czech Republic Club: AC Milan Age: 31 Details: Versatile enough to not only play in the defense and midfield, but all the way up the wings as long as he's playing on the left; Jankulovski is considered his country's best player Future star defenders: Breno Borges (Bayern München), Domenico Criscito (Juventus), Lorenzo De Silvestri (Lazio), Micah Richards (Manchester City), Steven Taylor (Newcastle United) and Cristian Zapata (Udinese) Midfielders The midfield is an unusual place in the formation because there is so much to experiment with. Defensive midfielders are deployed in front of defenders as a way to accompany the rest of the midfielders that they do not have to worry about playing back. A defensive midfielder should possess good tackling skills and most of the time great passing ability at long range. Central midfielders are the link between the defense and attack possessing great work rate and endurance in order to play back and provide an extra attacker if current possession play seems suitable to do so. Wide midfielders play on the right or left and tend to attack up the flanks. Depending on the quality of a team's players a good strategy is to have your two wide midfielders switch sides to displace and tire out their markers. Attacking midfielders play behind the forwards in order to provide serve as the pivot. They need to possess superior vision, a wide-range of different technical abilities including the ability to read the opposition defense to break it down. Michael Essien Country: Ghana Club: Chelsea Age: 25 Details: A deep-lying playmaker; Essien is often deployed as a central midfielder, but can also play right back Andrea Pirlo Country: Italy Club: AC Milan Age: 29 Details: Possesses one of the most powerful and accurate free kicks in the game today; invaluable; plays defensive midfield Anatoliy Tymoschuk Country: Ukraine Club: Zenit Saint Petersburg Age: 29 Details: He's the forgotten Ukrainian; Tymoschuk can not only rack up the goal count, but he's also a vicious defender as well; often deployed as a defensive midfielder Patrick Vieira Country: France Club: Internazionale Milan Age: 32 Details: Injuries and age aside he's still the best central midfielder right now; has won the World Cup and EURO tournaments with his national team among countless other continental and domestic trophies; a real winner Cesc Fabregas Country: Spain Club: Arsenal Age: 21 Details: One of the most coveted young talents in the game today; the central midfielder brings vision, creativity and selflessness to Arsenal's intricate passing game Frank Lampard Country: England Club: Chelsea Age: 30 Details: A goal-scoring central midfielder that can also play as an attacking position; he is the highest-paid Premiership player Steven Gerrard Country: England Club: Liverpool Age: 28 Details: A versatile midfielder, he's often deployed as in a central position; possesses amazing vision which makes him an excellent passer and goal scorer from afar Bastian Schweinsteiger Country: Germany Club: Bayern München Age: 24 Details: Often deployed in an attacking position in the midfield; Schweinsteiger is strong and can score especially when playing for Germany Franck Ribéry Country: France Club: Bayern München Age: 25 Details: The amazing pace and energy of Ribéry is unmatched today at wide midfield and while he can be used on the flanks he's also known for attacking through the middle; also a great dribbler and selfless Wesley Sneijder Country: Netherlands Club: Real Madrid Age: 24 Details: A top attacking midfielder that can play equally well with both feet, which increases his versatility as a passer and playmaker; he's also very fast and strong on the ball Michael Ballack Country: Germany Club: Chelsea Age: 31 Details: At 31-years-old his best days are behind him, but the attacking midfielder can still turn it on especially when it comes to playing for his homeland Germany Kaká Country: Brazil Club: AC Milan Age: 26 Details: Considered by many to be the best player in the World; led his club to the Champions League title and is a force for Brazil; an excellent all-around attacking midfielder Aliaksandr Hleb Country: Belarus Club: Barcelona Age: 27 Details: Usually deployed as an attacking midfielder, Hleb prefers to play behind forwards; a very intelligent all-around player Andrei Arshavin Country: Russia Club: Zenit Saint Petersburg Age: 27 Details: A gifted attacking midfielder that can also play as a second striker; his amazing pace, vision, close control and playmaking ability makes him one of the best in the game Adrian Mutu Country: Romania Club: Fiorentina Age: 29 Details: Through difficult times, Mutu has made a name for himself as an attacking midfielder and forward; great at free kicks and an amazing goal scorer Future star midfielders: Éver Banega (Valencia), Steven Defour (Standard Liège), Toni Kroos (Bayern München), Samir Nasri (Arsenal), Miralem Pjanić (Olympique Lyonnais) and Alexis Sánchez (Udinese) Forwards Strikers are your key goal scorers and target men. Center forwards play close to the goal area and are used simply for their knack to hit the back of the net. They're usually very tall and have the ability to head the ball very well. Deep-lying forwards or second strikers are placed behind center forwards. Such a player is a skillful striker who can both score and create opportunities. One of the best Deep-lying forwards of all-time is French legend Eric Cantona. Wingers can be considered as midfielders or forwards. They are attack-minded and often play up the flanks having the ability to pass from afar. Cristiano Ronaldo Country: Portugal Club: Manchester United Age: 23 Details: Widely considered the best player in football; the winger can break down his defenders with ease and score like a mad man netting 42 goals in 48 matches last season alone Sergio Agüero Country: Argentina Club: Atlético Madrid Age: 20 Details: An all-around deep-lying forward that can play as a striker as well; his young age isn't a matter as he can score goals and take over matches Lionel Messi Country: Argentina Club: Barcelona Age: 21 Details: Messi plays as either a winger or deep-lying forward and can create almost impossible scoring opportunities for himself and others; he's been dubbed as the successor to the great Diego Maradona Lukas Podolski Country: Germany Club: Bayern München Age: 23 Details: An underrated forward that can play as an attacking midfielder, winger, deep-lying forward or striker; he plays exceptionally well on the international stage Robin van Persie Country: Netherlands Club: Arsenal Age: 25 Details: Can play as a winger, attacking midfielder and striker; possesses great vision and an all-around attacking game Karim Benzema Country: France Club: Olympique Lyonnais Age: 20 Details: A very young striker with unbelievable talent that can also play both wings; he can also rack up the goal count as seen at 19-years-old when he earned the Ligue 1 scoring title netting 21 goals in 37 matches Dimitar Berbatov Country: Bulgaria Club: Manchester United Age: 27 Details: A 27-year-old striker that is close to his peak; he's continuing to improve every year by his goal count and looks to be a big factor to United's game this upcoming season Didier Drogba Country: Club: Chelsea Age: 30 Details: A striker at his peak, Drogba is very strong and can create a large number of scoring chances each match Thierry Henry Country: France Club: Barcelona Age: 31 Details: Though he seems to be on the decline, he's still widely considered as one of the best strikers on the world today; has won numerous titles including the World Cup and EURO. Zlatan Ibrahimović Country: Sweden Club: Internazionale Milan Age: 26 Details: A striker known for his intense aggressive nature and ability to read the defense in order to create more scoring opportunities; he's had his share of problems on and off the pitch as well Miroslav Klose Country: Germany Club: Bayern München Age: 30 Details: Even at 30-years-old, Klose is one of the most consistent strikers in the game; while he's great at club level, he's absolutely fantastic at the international level Luca Toni Country: Italy Club: Bayern München Age: 31 Details: A tall center forward who was once considered a mediocre player until his move to Fiorentina in 2005; ever since he has become a scoring machine; his strength, reaction time and height makes him almost unstoppable with a header goal Fernando Torres Country: Spain Club: Liverpool Age: 24 Details: An obviously egotistical striker that can pile up goals on any given night and usually becomes effective when really needed Ruud van Nistelrooy Country: Netherlands Club: Real Madrid Age: 32 Details: Ruud is a confident and consistent striker; he has netted 42 goals in 62 matches for Real Madrid and was equally successful years ago at his previous club Manchester United; age is apparently not an issue for him David Villa Country: Spain Club: Valencia Age: 26 Details: Comparable in terms of confidence and consistency to Ruud van Nistelrooy; Villa is an amazing striker and one of the World's best; amazing goal scoring prowess at club and international level Future star forwards: Mario Balotelli (Internazionale Milan), Moussa Dembélé (AZ Alkmaar), Bojan Krkić (Barcelona), Alexandre Pato (AC Milan), Carlos Vela (Arsenal) and Theo Walcott (Arsenal)
OK I forgot about Alves' transfer, but explain to me why Rooney shouldn't be on that list. You say he's not the best striker on the team, but I reckon that you're being slightly short-sighted about his impact on the whole Man Utd team. Every game the team lost for either the whole season or most of it was played without Rooney. And in other games without him, they played poorly. He is an integral part of the team, probably the second most important player after Ronaldo, and arguably just as crucial thanks to his vision, off the ball ability, work rate and as a distraction to the defence. Without Rooney (or a similar type of player), Ronaldo would not be as good as he is today (no injury jokes )
Last year they only lost 1 game where he had played. And the winning goal was scored after he was taken off. But I agree, he's not among the world's best. -Petey
It was Howard and to be honest he isn't one of the top 10 in the prem just. Then look at the other leagues...
I'm very biased to the English league... GK: Petr Čech DL: Gaël Clichy DC: Nemanja Vidić DC: Rio Ferdinand DR: Sergio Ramos ML: Lionel Messi MC: Cesc Fabregas MC: Kaká MR: Cristiano Ronaldo ST: David Villa ST: Fernando Torres More like my World XI. No where near what I want to put though.
Oh i like these. Goal Keeper:Gianluigi Buffon, Iker Casillas, Petr Cech Center Back: Carlos Puyol, Fabio Cannavaro, Rio Ferdinand, Kolo Toure, Right back: Sergio Ramos, Bacary Sagna, Danny Alves, Phillip Lahm Left Back : Eric Abidal, Gael Clichy, Patrice Evra (all French Btw) Defensive midfield: Michael Essien, Mathieu Flamini, Centre Midfield: Cesc Fabregas, Steven Gerrard, Kaka, Right Wing: Ronaldo, Alex Hleb, Left wing: Lionel Messi, Striker: Fernando Torres, David Villa, Emmanuel Adebayor, Dimitar Berbatov
After the horrible Euro '08 he had he is top three, but no way is he first. I would take Iker or Buffon anyday over him.
Interesting to hear that one of the two positions (center midfielder the other) I played in grade school / junior high isn't used much. Why is that?
