Top 15 soccer players (jared) by jaredwagner721

Top 15 Favorite Soccer Players

Jared Wagner

Who? Just starting at three years old soccer was a part of my life. I started playing in the little leagues where my dad would be my coach and then made my way up to my ﬁrst club team in which I started becoming super serious about the sport. I played on multiple select club teams up to high school including NKunited, Classic Hammers FC, Kings Soccer Academy, and NKSA. My freshman year of high school I made the varsity team and started every game from there. During my high school career I was shadowed behind a

“I think we have a great team, and I expect to go just as far as last year, even farther. There’s no reason we can’t. We have the talent and the dedication.”

great handful group of players just a year above me. I would say I was the “assist of the assist” for a while but each year my stats and name would grow. Starting freshman year with zero goals and zero assists transforming up to my senior year where I bloomed with 21 goals and 17 assists. My hard work had paid off and I was scouted by a division 3 school in Cincinnati, Ohio. I had made it to the college level which was my goal along. Unfortunately the school itself didn’t work out for me so I transfered schools and attended the Uni-

32 goals

2008 Rookie of the year for varsity.

throughout all 4 years of high school.

versity of Louisville. I played for the competitive

2011 All-State honorable mention and 2nd team all region.

club team here for a semester but I became to busy with school. When I can, and in the fraternity/ intramural leagues, I ﬁnd time to keep playing the sport that has been such a large part of my life for the past 17 years.

Why? Looking back on my soccer career I have realized more than I thought about it. Throughout

Started every Varsity game for all 4 years.

the countless hours of practice and traveling. To the intense, exhausting workouts and the success to the failures, it has meant more to me than just a sport. I learned many things throughout it all including leadership skills, hard work pays off, dedication, friendships, and so forth. Of course during my life I have also watched higher levels of play such as professional level games of numerous different leagues. In this book I want to share with you the top 15 players that have inﬂuenced me in different ways through soccer and on the pitch, as well as mentally and grow as a person through their personalities, qualities, and actions.

2010 District Champ, Region Champ, Sub Sectional Champ, and Final Four runner up.

Frank Lampard

Who?

Why? Frankie Lampard is on the best center defense

Frank James Lampard (born 20 June 1978)

year. He won a second FA Cup winners’ medal

is an English professional footballer who plays

in 2009, scoring the winning goal in the ﬁnal. In

mid-ﬁelders of all time. He is also one of the best

as a central midﬁelder, attacking midﬁelder or

the 2009–10 season, Lampard helped Chelsea

Chelsea F.C. and world class players to ever live.

defensive midﬁelder for Manchester City on

secure their ﬁrst league and FA Cup Double, and

He is passionately loyal to the Blues and always

loan from New York City FC. He is the all-time

also had his most proliﬁc season with the club,

will be. He has a great touch on the ball and a

leading goalscorer for Chelsea, where he played

scoring 22 league goals and 17 league assists. In

wonderful sense of what to do with it and when to

for 13 years, and is considered by a number of

2012, Lampard captained Chelsea to their ﬁrst

do it. He is a role model and leader on the ﬁeld

journalists and football experts to be one of the

UEFA Champions League success and a year lat-

that has helped bring his team to many victories

best midﬁelders of his generation. He has been

er to their ﬁrst UEFA Europa League title. He was

throughout his careers. Lampard is and will always

described by previous record goal-scorer Bobby

released by the club after the 2013–14 season.

be remembered as a legend in my eyes, and in

Tambling and long-term teammate John Terry as Chelsea’s greatest ever player. Lampard began his career at West Ham

A three-time Chelsea Player of the Year, Lampard is the club’s all-time top goalscorer with 211 goals in all competitions. Lampard is one of

United, for whom his father Frank Lampard, Sr.

seven players, and the only midﬁelder, to have

had also played. He secured a place in the ﬁrst

scored 150 or more goals in the Premier League.

team by the 1997–98 season, and the following

He is second in the Premier League’s all-time as-

year helped the team ﬁnish 5th in the Premier

sists table, behind Ryan Giggs. In 2005, Lampard

League, their highest-ever Premier League

was voted FWA Footballer of the Year and was

placing. In 2001, he moved to rival London club

runner-up in both the FIFA World Player of the

Chelsea for £11 million. In 2014, he was released

Year and the Ballon d’Or. In 2010 he received the

by Chelsea after 13 years of service. Lampard

FWA Tribute Award.

then joined New York City FC on a two-year deal, in preparation for the club’s Major League

Internationally, Lampard was capped 106 times

Soccer debut in 2015, as a free transfer, being

by England since his debut in October 1999,

loaned out to Manchester City in the meantime.

and scored 29 international goals. He was voted

From his début, he was ever-present in the

the eyes of the soccer community as a whole.

England Player of the Year for two consecutive

Chelsea ﬁrst team and made 164 consecutive

years in 2004 and 2005. He played in Euro 2004,

Premier League appearances, a record for an

where he was named in the team of the tourna-

outﬁeld player. He established himself as a

ment after scoring three goals in four games. He

proliﬁc scorer at the west London club and was

was top scorer for England in their 2006 World

a key part of the sides which won back-to-back

Cup qualifying campaign with ﬁve goals, and

Premier League titles in 2004–05 and 2005–06

played at three World Cups. He is England’s

and a domestic cup double in 2007. He signed a

most proliﬁc penalty taker with nine goals, sur-

new contract in 2008, becoming the highest-paid

passing the previous record holders, Ron Flowers

Premier League footballer at that time, and

and Alan Shearer.

scored in his ﬁrst Champions League Final that

“I can’t stress the importance of working hard enough, work on all aspects of your game. If you does that and you have the ability, you’ll come through.”

255 goals

throughout all competitions.

England player of the year in 2004 & 2005.

2005 Silver Ballon d’Or award winner.

Mario Balotelli

Who?

Why?

Mario Barwuah Balotelli (Italian pronuncia-

Mario Balotelli is a great soccer player for his

tion: [�ma�rjo balo�t�lli]; born Mario Barwuah; 12

age. He has a lot of potential and room to grow.

August 1990) is an Italian professional footballer

His strength up top as a center forward is his

who plays as a striker for Premier League club

key role. He is great body position when he has

Liverpool and the Italian national team. Balotelli

the ball and can shield off defenders. When he

is nicknamed Super Mario by fans because of his

gets a look at goal he can take a deadly rip on

surprising actions on and off the pitch.

target that most likely will be ﬁnished. Outside

He started his professional football career at

of the stadium and ﬁeld Mario is a whole other

Lumezzane and played for the ﬁrst team twice

character in himself. He has placed himself in

before having an unsuccessful trial at FC Barcelo-

certain situations that are hysterical and makes

na, and subsequently joining Inter Milan in 2007.

his appearance on the news the next day. He has

Inter manager Roberto Mancini brought Balotelli

matured a lot in the past couple of years, but his

into the ﬁrst team, but when Mancini left, Balotel-

prior actions will never be forgotten.

li’s disciplinary record fell away. He had a strained relationship with new manager José Mourinho and was suspended from Inter’s ﬁrst team in January 2009 after a number of disciplinary problems. In March 2010, he came under criticism by Inter fans after he appeared on the Italian TV show Striscia la notizia, wearing an A.C. Milan jersey. This damaged the prospect of him having a long career at Inter, but he did make several appearances after that. With doubts over his career at Inter, former coach Roberto Mancini had since moved to Manchester City and decided to give Balotelli a fresh chance at a new club. He joined Manchester City in August 2010, where his performances and off-ﬁeld activities continued to be enigmatic and unpredictable. Balotelli eventually fell out of favour with Mancini after a “training ground bust up” between the two in January 2013. His depar-

“There are two metaphors for Mario the person and not Mario the footballer. I think I am a man, but I don’t believe I need to say it. But I could also be Peter Pan because I do things my own way and I am free. So, yes, maybe I should say that I am Peter Pan - although I am much more of a man.”

ture from City and return to Italy with A.C. Milan

FA Cup Final man of the match in 2011.

followed several weeks later. After 18 months at Milan, he returned to the Premier League with Liverpool. Balotelli also plays for the Italian national team, earning his ﬁrst cap for Italy in a friendly match against Côte d’Ivoire on 10 August 2010. He has since amassed over 30 caps and represented his country at UEFA Euro 2012 and the 2014 FIFA World Cup, helping them reach the ﬁnal of the former.

90 goals

throughout all competitions.

Golden Boy Award in 2010.

Tim Howard

Who? Timothy Matthew “Tim” Howard (born March 6, 1979) is an American soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for English club Everton and the United States national team. Howard started his career with the North Jersey Imperials before making a move to the MetroStars. His appearances soon attracted the attention of Manchester United, who signed him in 2003. He enjoyed relative success with them

“In terms of my focus, that has never changed. I have been whole-heartedly part of Everton football club since August. I made sure that I was going to do that.”

as they won the 2003 FA Community Shield, the 2003–04 FA Cup and the 2005–06 League Cup. However, after United signed Edwin van der Sar, Howard went out on loan to Everton to play more ﬁrst-team football and eventually signed permanently with them in February 2007. On January 4, 2012, Howard scored a goal, his ﬁrst as a professional, against Bolton Wanderers. This made him only the fourth goalkeeper to score a goal in a

1 goal

throughout all competitions.

Premier League match. Howard first represented the United States national team in 2002 and was an unused substitute for the 2006 World Cup. He later established himself as first-choice and started all of the United States’ games at the 2010 World Cup as they reached the Round of 16. He has a reputation for playing through pain. In September 2007 he accepted a call-up from the United States for a friendly against Brazil, and after an hour of the game his finger was dislocated in a collision. In March 2013, during an FA Cup game against Oldham Athletic he broke two bones in his back. In both incidents, he continued playing until the final whistle.

Why? Due to his deadball specialist ability, he has always been on of the best free kick takers in the game. He may be short, but is extremely fast, agile, and strong. It has always been a pleasure watching Sneijder control the midﬁeld during games and creating chances for his teammates that you could never imagine possible. His touch on the ball is one of the best. Just as much as I have enjoyed his style of play and conﬁdence, his personality is also a major component to making it onto my list. He never gives up and is always trying to improve himself as a player and person.

MLS All-Star game MVP in 2001.

U.S. Soccer athlete of the year in 2008.

Landon Donovan

Who? Landon Timothy Donovan (born March 4,

Why? From a young age Landon had always been

1982) is an American soccer player who plays

one of my favorite players. He was one of the ﬁrst

for the LA Galaxy. He has previously played for

names I came to know and watched him play in

Bayer Leverkusen, San Jose Earthquakes, Bayern

almost every United States game. Landon is a

Munich, Everton, and the United States men’s

very special player. He has helped grow the sport

national soccer team. He usually plays as a with-

of soccer more than most people know. Easily

drawn forward for the Galaxy, but can also play as

the most inﬂuential player to the sport here in the

an attacking midﬁelder on either wing.

states to this date. He has great skill and amazing

A member of the inaugural class of the U.S.

knowledge / vision on the ﬁeld. He was a role

Soccer residency program in Bradenton, Florida,

model from the get-go and a game changer on

Donovan was declared player of the tournament

the ﬁeld mentally and physically. Donovan is,

for his role in the United States U17 that ﬁnished

and will always be one of the greatest American

fourth in the 1999 FIFA U-17 World Champion-

soccer players of all time.

ship, Donovan later signed with the German team Bayer Leverkusen. After six years with the club,

“I want to be a positive inﬂuence. I want to be someone who they want to call in and want here consistently, regardless of my role.”

the majority of which was spent on loan at the San Jose Earthquakes, Donovan moved to the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2005, though he returned to the Bundesliga for a three-month spell at the start of 2009 on loan to Bayern Munich. He went on loan again from January to March 2010 with English Premier League team Everton.

182 total goals

throughout all competitions.

In Major League Soccer, Donovan has won ﬁve MLS Cups and is the league’s all-time top scorer with 136 goals. For the United States men’s national team, Donovan is the all-time leader in scoring and assists, and has the most caps of all active players. Donovan is the only American player to reach the

MLS Cup MVP in 2003 and 2011 for L.A. Galaxy.

50 goals/50 assists mark. He is a four-time winner of the U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year award (the only man to do so and the ﬁrst man to win in consecutive years), as well as the only seven-time winner of the Honda Player of the Year award. Donovan starred in the U.S. team that reached the quarter-ﬁnals of the 2002 FIFA World Cup where he received the Best Young Player Award. His three goals in the 2010 FIFA World Cup made Donovan the highest scoring male American player in World Cup history and one of the three male American players to score in more than one World Cup (along with Brian McBride and Clint Dempsey). Donovan is widely considered to be the best player to ever come out of the United States. On August 7, 2014, Donovan announced his plans to retire at the end of the 2014 MLS season.

Most goals and assists out of any USMNT player.

Most assists of all time in the MLS in the United States.

Steven Gerrard

Who? Steven George Gerrard (born 30 May 1980) is

Why? Stevie G is one of the best center defense mids

an English footballer who plays for and captains

in the BPL as well as in the whole sport of soccer.

Premier League club Liverpool. He has played

His loyalty to Liverpool is absolutely appalling. His

much of his career as a central midﬁelder, but he

love and passion for them is deep. He has great

has also been used as a second striker, holding

knowledge of the game considering his age and

midﬁelder, attacking midﬁelder, right back and

is deﬁnitely a major role model on the ﬁeld as be-

right winger.

ing captain. He has a great sense of when to play

Gerrard has spent his entire career at Anﬁeld,

balls through as well as hold back and just keep

making his debut in 1998, cementing his place

possession away from the opposing team. He

in the ﬁrst team in 2000, and succeeding Sami

is and will always be one of my favorite players,

Hyypiä as team captain in 2003. His honors

and he will always be one of the best world class

include two FA Cups, three League Cups, one

players to ever set foot on the pitch.

“In football, the hero and legend status is given out far too easily for me.”

UEFA Champions League, one UEFA Cup, and two UEFA Super Cups. Gerrard made his international debut for the England national football team in 2000, and represented his country at the 2000, 2004 and 2012 UEFA European Football Championships, as well as the 2006, 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups – captaining the team at the latter two tourna-

176 total goals

throughout all competitions.

ments. He was named as the permanent England captain shortly before UEFA Euro 2012,[8] where he was named in the UEFA Team of the Tournament. Gerrard became the sixth player to win 100 caps for England in 2012, and is currently third in the country’s all time appearance list. He ended his international career in July 2014, having won

Won the Ballon d’Or Bronze award 2005.

114 caps. Gerrard came second to Kenny Dalglish in the “100 Players Who Shook The Kop”, a 2008 Liverpool fan poll, and ﬁrst in 2013. Zinedine Zidane said in 2009 that he considered Gerrard to be the best footballer in the world. In 2005, Gerrard

Goal of the season in 2006.

was honoured as the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year and won the Ballon d’Or Bronze Award. He has also been named in the PFA Team of the Year a record eight times, the UEFA Team of the Year and FIFA World XI three times, and was named PFA Players’ Player of the Year in 2006 and the FWA Footballer of the Year in 2009. He is, to date, the only footballer ever to have scored a goal in an FA Cup Final, a League Cup Final, a UEFA Cup Final and a Champions League Final. [14]

Liverpool’s top scorer a total of 5 times throughout career.

Englands player of the year in 2007 & 2012.

David Villa

Who? David Villa Sánchez (born 3 December 1981) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a striker for A-League club Melbourne City, on loan from New York City. He is nicknamed El Guaje (The Kid in Asturian) because as a youngster he

“Physically, I’m at my best – I’ve gotten over all those little problems that were bothering me and I’m happy to be feeling ﬁne again.”

frequently played football with children much older than him. Despite sustaining a serious injury as a child, Villa started his professional career with Sporting de Gijón. He moved to Real Zaragoza after two seasons, where he made his La Liga début, winning the Copa del Rey and Supercopa de España. He joined Valencia CF in 2005 for a transfer fee of

299 total goals

throughout all competitions.

�12 million and was part of the Valencia team that won the Copa del Rey in the 2007–08 season. In 2010 he moved to FC Barcelona for �40 million where he won his ﬁrst La Liga and UEFA Champions League titles. After a �5.1 million transfer, he spent the 2013–14 season at Atlético Madrid,

FIFA World Cup champion for Spain in 2010.

winning another La Liga title before leaving for New York City. Villa made his international début for Spain in 2005. He has since participated in four major tournaments, becoming an integral member of the Spain teams that won Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup. He scored three goals at the 2006 World Cup, was the top scorer at Euro 2008 and earned the Silver Boot at the 2010 World Cup. He is the ﬁrst Spanish player to ever reach 50 international goals and retired from internationals after the 2014 World Cup with 59 in 97 matches, making him Spain’s all-time top goalscorer as well as the country’s top scorer in the World Cup with 9 goals. The goals-to-games ratio he has achieved for the national team has not been matched by any player since Alfredo Di Stéfano.

Why? What stands out to me about David Villa was his performance in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He had an amazing tournament and helped Spain win the title. What speciﬁcally stood out to me was his skill on the ball, his knowledge of the game, and his quickness. Even though he is a player that is aging and coming to the end of his prime, he still is a great player to watch who will help grow soccer over here in the United States while playing for New York City FC.

La Ligas top assists creator in 2013-2014.

2008 Euro Cup Golden Boot winner.

Marco Reus

Who? Marco Reus (born 31 May 1989) is a German

Why? Marco Reus is an outstanding winger for

professional footballer who plays as an attacking

Borussia Dortmund. The loyalty to his club makes

midﬁelder or winger for the German Bundesliga

him that much more lovable after you analyze

club Borussia Dortmund and the Germany nation-

his skills overall. His quickness on the ﬁeld is a

al football team. Reus is known for his versatility,

key attribute to his own and his team’s success.

speed and technique.

He has a strong work ethic and is never ceasing

Reus spent his youth career at Borussia Dort-

to give up no matter the deﬁcit. He is deﬁnitely

mund, prior to leaving for Rot Weiss Ahlen. He

a game changer when he is on the pitch due to

has played for three clubs in his senior career,

his overall skill, shooting, and pace. A wonderful

most notably, and with the most inﬂuence, in

player to watch.

Borussia Mönchengladbach of the German Bundesliga. Reus plays primarily as a left attacker for BVB; however, he is capable of playing on the right also and through the middle, due to his ability to closely control the ball with both feet.[citation needed] 2012 was his most successful season when, scoring 18 and assisting 8, he helped

92 total goals

throughout all competitions.

Borussia Mönchengladbach secure a place in the following season’s UEFA Champions League. Reus agreed a move to his home club Borussia Dortmund at the end of that season. Reus wears number 11 for Dortmund.

Soccer player of the year in Germany in 2012.

With Dortmund, Reus won the 2013 DFL-Supercup. Reus was the Footballer of the Year in Germany in 2012 and was on the UEFA Team of the Year in 2013. Franz Beckenbauer spoke about Reus, along with Mario Götze, saying, “...as a classic duo there is nobody better than the proliﬁc Reus and Götze.” In 2013, Reus was ranked as the fourth best footballer in Europe by Bloomberg.

“The biggest adventure you can take is to live your dreams.”

Had the Bundesliga top assists in 2013 2014.

Goal of the month in Germany in 2012, 3 times.

Arjen Robben

Who? Arjen Robben (born 23 January 1984) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays for German Bundesliga club Bayern Munich and the Netherlands national team. Robben has appeared at the 2004, 2008 and 2012 UEFA European

“I’m not a player who will just sit and pick up my wages if I am not playing.”

Championships, and the 2006, 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups. He is a forward who usually plays as a left or right sided winger. Robben is known for his dribbling skills, speed, crossing ability and his accurate left foot long-range shots from the right wing. Robben ﬁrst came to prominence with Groningen, for whom he was player of the year for the 2000–01 Eredivisie season. Two years later

159 total goals

throughout all competitions.

Goal of the month in Germany in 2010 & 2013.

he signed for PSV, where he became the Netherlands’ Young Player of the Year and won an Eredivisie title. The following season Robben’s

The Kicker Man of the Year awarded in 2010.

signature was pursued by leading English clubs, and after protracted transfer negotiations he joined Chelsea in 2004. Robben’s Chelsea debut was delayed through injury, but upon returning to fitness he helped Chelsea bring home two consecutive Premier League titles, and was the FA Premier League Player of the Month in November 2005. After a third season in England which was punctuated by injury, Robben moved to Spanish club Real Madrid for �35 million. In August 2009, Robben transferred to Bayern Munich for a fee of around �25 million, scoring two goals on his debut. In his first season in Munich, Bayern won the league title, Robben’s fifth league title in eight years, and Robben scored the winning goal in the 2013 UEFA Champions League Final. After his first season with Bayern, Robben was also named Footballer of the Year in Germany.

Why? Arjen Robben is a vicious attacking minded player who has nothing in mind but slamming the ball in the back of the opposing team’s net. His speed, quick dribbling, and deadly ﬁnishing makes him one of the best players in the Bundesliga as well as on my top list. His endurance seems to never run out and if he loses the ball in attack you best guess he will be right back to win it back for his team. Robben is a world class player that I would greatly enjoy to see play in person.

Won soccer player of the year in Germany in 2010.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Who? Zlatan Ibrahimovi� (born 3 October 1981) is a

Why? Zlatan is a one of a kind soccer player, as well

Swedish professional footballer who plays as a

as person in general. He has the biggest ego and

striker for French club Paris Saint-Germain and

head which makes him one of the most respected

the Swedish national team for which he is captain.

/ humorous players out there. He has the right to

Ibrahimovi� started his career at Malmö FF

be like this due to his amazing talents and ability

in the late 1990s before being signed by Ajax,

to play the game. He is a monster target forward

where made a name for himself under Ronald

who has a power shot like no other. He is deﬁ-

Koeman. He later signed with Juventus for �16

nitely one of my favorite players on this list due

million, and gained fame in Serie A by beneﬁting

to his mysterious unexpected actions and just his

from his strike partnership with David Trezeguet.

personality in general.

In 2006, Ibrahimovi� signed with rivals Internazionale, where he won individual awards such as the Italian Oscar del Calcio and the Swedish Guldbollen, and was named in the 2007 and 2009 UEFA Team of the Year, in addition to ﬁnishing as the league’s highest scorer in 2008–09 while winning three straight Scudetti. In the summer of 2009,

317 total goals

throughout all competitions.

Guldbollen awarded for a total of 8 years.

he transferred to Barcelona. His time at Barcelona was short-lived, however, moving back to Serie A football with A.C. Milan the following season, in a deal which made him one of the highest paid footballers in the world and cost the Italian club �24 million. He signed with Paris Saint-Germain in July 2012. Ibrahimovi� is one of ten players to have made 100 or more appearances for the Swedish national team, and is the country’s all time leading

Won the Golden Boot in 2012.

goalscorer in international matches with 50 goals. He has represented Sweden at the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups, as well as the 2004, 2008 and 2012 UEFA European Championships. With his playing style compared to Dutch legend Marco van Basten, Ibrahimovi� is one of the best ﬁnishers in the game and is regarded to be one of the best footballers of his generation. His spectacular bicycle kick for Sweden against England won the 2013 FIFA Puskás Award for Goal of the Year. In December 2013, Ibrahimovi� was

Wrote his own book titled “I am Zlatan.”

ranked by The Guardian as the third-best player in the world.

“One thing is for sure, a World Cup without me is nothing to watch so it is not worthwhile to wait for the World Cup.”

Mesut Ozil

Who? Mesut Özil ( born 15 October 1988) is a Ger-

Why? Ozil is one of the most creative, agile mid-ﬁeld-

man professional footballer who plays for English

ers out there in the soccer world. After seeing him

club Arsenal and the German national team. Özil

on the pitch for the ﬁrst time I instantly fell in love

has been a youth national team member since

with his style of play. His ability to place the ball

2006, and a member of the German nation-

on his attacking teammates feet in full motion is

al team since 2009. He gained international

incredible. He is a hard working player who has

attention during the 2010 FIFA World Cup and

a strong love and passion for the game and is al-

was nominated for the Golden Ball Award, which

ways trying to improve and never gives up. I was

is awarded to the tournament’s best player.

ecstatic after I heard he was transferring to Arse-

Özil started his senior career at hometown club

nal F.C. in London for they are my favorite team in

Schalke in the Bundesliga in 2006, transferred to

the BPL. He has deﬁnitely made a difference since

Werder Bremen in 2008 and was signed by Real

his time there.

Madrid in August 2010 following his break-out performance at the FIFA World Cup with Germany. On transfer deadline day of summer 2013, he moved to Arsenal for a club-record fee of £42.5 million.[3][4][5][6] The transfer makes him the most expensive German football player of all time. Özil is acclaimed for his ﬁnesse and improvisation as an attacking midﬁelder. His style and ability for providing assists for his team-mates

53 total goals

throughout all competitions.

has been compared by former manager José Mourinho to that of Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane.[7] In 2011, Özil ranked ﬁrst in assists in major European and domestic competitions with 25. In 2012, he ranked ﬁrst in assists in La Liga with 17.[8][9] He was also one of the top assist providers in the 2010 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2012 with three in both tournaments.

UEFA Euro 2012 Man of the Match for 4 different games.

2014 FIFA

World Cup champion for Germany.

“It makes me very happy when I create goals or score goals myself, but the most important thing is that the team reaches its goal and plays positive football.”

Wesley Sneijder

Who? Wesley Sneijder born 9 June 1984, is a Dutch professional footballer who plays for the Turkish club Galatasaray and the Netherlands national team. He was named UEFA midﬁelder of the season and one of the three best midﬁelders in the world for 2010 by FIFA. A product of the AFC Ajax Academy, he previously played for Ajax, with

“I always feel guilty if we lose ... If we lose, I can’t have played well, you know? Playing well means winning games.”

whom he won seven trophies and was awarded the Johan Cruijff Award in 2004. He was sold to

101 total assists

Real Madrid for �27 million in 2007, winning La Liga in his ﬁrst season with the club and later be-

throughout all club competitions.

ing sold to Internazionale for �15 million. At Inter, he won Serie A, the UEFA Champions League, the FIFA Club World Cup, and two Coppa Italia. After being sold to Galatasaray for �7.5 million in 2013, he helped the club win the Süper Lig in his ﬁrst season, following with the capture of the Turkish Super Cup, after a 1–0 win against rivals Fenerbahçe.

Awarded best Dutch freekicker taker in 2008.

throughout all competitions.

Sneijder previously represented various youth squads for the Netherlands. He is now a regular player for the Dutch national team, making his debut in April 2003 at the age of 18, and representing his country at the 2006, 2010 (where the Netherlands were defeated 1–0 in the ﬁnal) and 2014 FIFA World Cups, as well as the 2004, 2008 and 2012 UEFA European Football Championships. Individually, he was awarded the 2010 Bronze Boot, the 2010 Silver Ball, and included in the team of the tournament for Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup, as well as named man of the match for six out of eleven games played by the Oranje at these two tournaments. The Dutch national team has never lost a game in which Sneijder has scored.

141 total goals

Made the 2010 FIFA World Cup Dream Team & earned the silver ball / bronze boot.

Clint Dempsey

Who? Clinton Drew “Clint” Dempsey (born March 9,

Why? Easily one of my favorite USMNT (United States

1983) is an American soccer player who plays for

Men’s National Team) players of all time as well

Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer. He

favorite players in general. Dempsey has always

is the captain of the United States national team.

been one of my idol soccer players growing up

He has also played for New England Revolution,

and I have always enjoyed watching him play. Just

Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur.

like all of the players on the U.S. team his drive

Growing up in Nacogdoches, Texas, Dempsey

to win and his “never out of the ﬁght” attitude is

played for one of the top youth soccer clubs in

what makes him one of the greatest players. Mag-

the state, the Dallas Texans, before playing for

ic can happen when Clint is on the ﬁeld due to his

Furman University’s men’s soccer team. In 2004,

knowledge of the game, his vision on the ﬁeld,

Dempsey was drafted by Major League Soccer

his technically sounded dribbling and his deadly

club New England Revolution, where he quickly

ﬁnishing. One of my favorite memories about him

integrated himself into the starting lineup. Hin-

is when he scored against Ghana in the ﬁrst 30

dered initially by a jaw injury, he would eventually

seconds of play during the 2014 FIFA World Cup

score 25 goals in 71 appearances with the Revolu-

in Brazil.

153 total goals

throughout all competitions.

tion. Between 2007 and 2012, Dempsey played for Premier League team Fulham and is the club’s

5th fastest goal in

highest Premier League goalscorer of all time. Dempsey became the ﬁrst American player to

World Cup history scoring in just 30 seconds against Ghana.

score a hat-trick in the English Premier League, in the 5–2 win over Newcastle United in January 2012. Dempsey ﬁrst represented the United States at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship in the United Arab Emirates. He made his ﬁrst appearance with the senior team on November 17, 2004, against Jamaica; he was then named to the squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup and scored the team’s only goal of the tournament. Dempsey recorded the fastest goal in US World Cup qualifying history by scoring after 53 seconds

110

appearances for the United States Mens National Team.

of an eventual 8–0 defeat of Barbados. He later bested that feat in 2012 scoring just 36 seconds into a 2–1 qualifying loss at Jamaica. In the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Dempsey scored against England, becoming the second American, after Brian McBride, to score goals in multiple World Cup tournaments. In the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Dempsey again bested his previous feat, scoring 30 seconds into a match against Ghana, the ﬁfth fastest goal in World Cup history.

“You can’t go out there and just chill and be lackadaisical. You’re not going to win games. You’ve got to go out there and ﬁght.”

Passionate rapper outside of soccer known as “Deuce Dempsey”.

Aaron Ramsey

Who? Aaron James Ramsey, born 26 December 1990, is a Welsh footballer who plays as a midﬁelder for Arsenal and the Wales national football team. Ramsey mainly plays as a box-to-box midﬁelder, but has also been deployed on the left and right wings. He played as a schoolboy for Cardiff City, where he spent eight years in youth football,

“I have dreamt about this day for many years as a young kid coming through and it hasn’t quite sunk in yet.”

became the club’s youngest ever first team player, and made 22 appearances for the senior team – including the 2008 FA Cup Final. Ramsey moved to Arsenal in 2008 in a £5 million deal, where he quickly gained first team experience. However, his career stalled significantly after he suffered a broken leg in a match against Stoke City in February 2010. After two loan spells away from Arsenal, he returned to full fitness and

44 total goals

throughout all competitions.

30 appearances

for the Wales National Team.

re-established himself as a regular starter during the 2011–12 season. Ramsey was a key player for Arsenal in the 2013–14 season campaign, scoring 16 goals in all competitions, including the winner in the 2014 FA Cup Final.

Why? One of the top up and coming Barclay’s Premier League players that I absolutely adore. Whether it is his fluent, precise movement in the midfield, or his last minute game clutching goals Ramsey is one of the best players in the BPL and one of most recent favorites. His high work rating is one of his defining qualities that any team desires out of their midfielders. His determination to never give up is another of his qualities that was proven after breaking his leg in 2010 but coming back stronger than ever. Ramsey delivers and is always on the creative end of playmaking and one of the role models on the field. He also plays for my favorite BPL team, Arsenal, which gives him that much more of a bonus towards my list.

Arsenal Player of the Season & London Player of the Year for 2014.

Broke leg in 2010 but returned as one of the top BPL players in 2013.

David Beckham

Who? David Robert Joseph Beckham (born 2 May

Why? Easily one of my favorite players, as well as

1975) is a retired English footballer. He has played

many other soccer fanatics, of all time. More than

for Manchester United, Preston North End,

just a soccer player David is a world wide known

Real Madrid, Milan, Los Angeles Galaxy, Paris

celebrity. He is one of the best free-kick takers in

Saint-Germain, and the England national team

the business as well as assist / playmaker as well.

for which he holds the appearance record for an

I have always enjoyed watching David play in a

outﬁeld player. He was the ﬁrst English player to

center attacking midﬁeld position where distribut-

win league titles in four countries, England, Spain,

ing the ball is at his ﬁnest. His vision and knowl-

the United States and France. He announced his

edge of the game is another of his many exquisite

retirement at the end of the 2012–13 season and,

qualities on the ﬁeld. I was extremely excited

on 18 May 2013, played the ﬁnal game of his 20-

when I heard he was transferring to the L.A.

year career.

Galaxy in the MLS over here in the United States.

Beckham’s professional career began with

He helped grow the game in this country more

Manchester United, where he made his ﬁrst-team

than people give him credit for and I am forever

debut in 1992 aged 17.[6] With United, Beckham

thankful for his assistance to this beautiful game.

“I just want people to see me as a hardworking footballer and someone who is passionate about the game.”

won the Premier League title six times, the FA Cup twice, and the UEFA Champions League in 1999.[6] He then played four seasons with Real Madrid,[7] winning the La Liga championship in his ﬁnal season with the club.[8] In July 2007 Beckham signed a ﬁve-year contract with Major League Soccer club LA Galaxy.[9] While a Galaxy player, he spent two loan spells in Italy with Milan

129 total goals

throughout all competitions.

in 2009 and 2010. Beckham was the ﬁrst British footballer to play 100 Champions League games. In international football, Beckham made his England debut on 1 September 1996, at the age of 21. He was captain for six years during which he played 58 times. He made 115 career appearances in total, appearing at three FIFA World Cup editions (1998, 2002 and 2006) and two UEFA European Championship tournaments (2000 and 2004). Renowned for his range of passing and bending free-kicks, he has twice been runner-up for FIFA World Player of the Year, and in 2004 he was named in the FIFA 100 list of the world’s greatest living players. Consistently ranked among the sport’s highest earners, in 2013 Beckham was listed as the best paid player in the world, earning over $50 million in the previous 12 months. He has been married to Victoria Beckham since 1999, and they have four children. In February 2014, MLS announced Beckham and a group of investors would own an expansion team in Miami, which would begin play in 2016 or 2017.

Inducted into the England Soccer Hall of Fame in 2008.

115 total

appearances for the English National Team.

Thierry Henry

Who? Thierry Daniel Henry (born 17 August 1977) is

Why? Henry is an absolute monster. Whenever I am

a French footballer who plays as a striker for New

watching him play on the pitch you know magic

York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.

is bound to happen. He is easily one of the best

Henry was born in Les Ulis, Essonne (a suburb

players to step on a pitch of all time and more

of Paris) where he played for an array of local

speciﬁcally he is a legend at Arsenal F.C. over in

sides as a youngster and showed great promise

London in the Barclay’s Premier League. Henry is

as a goal-scorer. He was spotted by AS Monaco in

a brute up top as a forward. His skill on the ball

1990 and signed instantly, making his professional

is one of a kind the way he takes on defenders

debut in 1994. Good form led to an internation-

and leaves them in the dust. His great vision on

al call-up in 1998, after which he signed for the

the ﬁeld helps his outstanding passes that most

Serie A defending champions Juventus. He had a

players couldn’t slot through and his shooting is

disappointing season playing on the wing, before

just incredible to say the least. Overall his passion

joining Arsenal for £11 million in 1999.

and knowledge of the game has helped make

It was at Arsenal that Henry made his name as a world-class player. Despite initially struggling in

Henry one of most well known world class players and the number one player on my list.

the Premier League, he emerged as Arsenal’s top goal-scorer for almost every season of his tenure there. Under long-time mentor and coach Arsène Wenger, Henry became a proliﬁc striker and Arsenal’s all-time leading scorer with 228 goals in all competitions. The Frenchman won two league titles and three FA Cups with the Gunners; he was runner-up for the FIFA World Player of the Year twice, was named the PFA Players’ Player of the Year twice, and the FWA Footballer of the Year

205 total goals

throughout all competitions.

three times. Henry spent his ﬁnal two seasons

appearances for the French National Team.

with Arsenal as club captain, leading them to the 2006 UEFA Champions League Final. In June 2007, after eight years with Arsenal, he transferred to Barcelona for a fee of �24 million. In 2009, he was an integral part of the club’s historic treble when they won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League. He went on to achieve an unprecedented sextuple by also winning the Supercopa de España, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup. In total, Henry has been named in the UEFA Team of the Year ﬁve times. In 2010, he joined the New York Red Bulls of the Major League Soccer, and won the Eastern Conference title with them in 2010. He returned to Arsenal on loan for two months in 2012. In 2013 Henry with the New York Red Bulls won the MLS Supporters’ Shield. Henry enjoyed success with the French national team, winning the 1998 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 2000 and 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup. In October 2007, he surpassed Michel Platini’s record to become France’s top goal-scorer of all time. Henry retired from international football after the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

123 total

Inducted into the England Soccer Hall of Fame in 2008.

“I only deal in what is real. To be honest, I’ve never thought about what I could get out of football or where it would take me. I just wanted to play. I’m the same now.”

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