The Top 100 Players In The World

TOP 100 PLAYERS

THE TOP

100 PLAYERS IN THE WORLD

Revealed: the definitive rundown of the globe’s greatest footballers right now

I

t has been such a vintage year for individual brilliance in the beautiful game that according to Arsene Wenger, the undisputed top two have competition for ‘best player on the planet’. Throw in world-beating South Americans, Spaniards, Germans and even Belgians, plus a few Brits, and keeping our list down to 100 (and putting them in order) was tricky.

● Goalkeeper ● Defender ● Midfielder ● Forward

This year, you can read analysis, insight and a profile on every player in the Top 100 online at FourFourTwo.com. But don’t think we’ve slacked off in the mag.

Prepare yourself for exclusive interviews with 10 of the world’s finest players, including Marco Reus, Jordi Alba, Alvaro Negredo, Mario Gotze and our new No.1 – a certain Real Madrid winger...

FourFourTwo.com January 2014 79

80.95%

Iker Casillas has the best save percentage of the goalkeepers to appear in fve or more Champions League games this season

TOP 100 PLAYERS

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Casillas vs Lopez Presence At 6ft 5in Lopez is a giant, towering over Casillas (6ft), which has had tangible benefits, such as against Man United in the Champions League. “I’d rather Casillas had played,” said Sir Alex Ferguson after United’s elimination. “He wouldn’t have saved the shots Lopez did.”

Winner: Lopez

Shot-stopping Quick-witted and agile, Lopez takes this round. He made more saves both inside and outside the box than Casillas last season and his 73.3 per cent saves-to-shots ratio dwarved Casillas’ 66 per cent.

Winner: Lopez

Crossing Casillas is fond of punching away a cross – and he dropped more catches than Lopez in 2012-13. “I like a keeper that dominates in the air,” said Jose Mourinho, explaining why Lopez was his first choice.

Winner: Lopez

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Leadership When Casillas’ position as Spain No.1 came under scrutiny, Vicente del Bosque leapt to his captain’s defence, citing his role during the Barcelona vs Real Madrid wars of bygone years. “They were difficult moments for the team during which Iker was an enormous help.”

Winner: Casillas

Personality The Mostoles-born stopper’s confrontation with Mourinho contributed directly to the Special One’s downfall. Casillas is an immensely popular figure and a dressing room leader; Lopez can’t compare.

Winner: Casillas

OVERALL Casillas 3-3 Lopez. Like Carlo Ancelotti, we can’t separate them.

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● Goalkeeper ● Defender ● Midfielder ● Forward

New entry

1

Places dropped

1

Places climbed

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Lukasz Piszczek Borussia Dortmund, Defender, 28

96

Burak Yilmaz Galatasaray, Forward, 28

97

Adem Ljajic Roma, Midfielder, 22

98

Olivier Giroud Arsenal, Forward, 27

=99

Jackson Martinez Porto, Forward, 27

=99

1

Diego Lopez Real Madrid, Goalkeeper, 32

Iker Casillas Real Madrid, Goalkeeper, 32

Words Jonathan Fadugba

Big-game mentality It’s difficult to find fault with former Sevilla man Lopez, but with 151 caps, two Euros finals and a World Cup final under his belt it has to be Casillas, who remains first choice in the Champions League.

Winner: Casillas

Same as last year

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7

Soldado scored seven penalties in this period, level with Mario Balotelli and Edinson Cavani – no player in Europe’s top fve leagues converted more

TOP 100 PLAYERS

Roberto Soldado

Spurs’ penalty king talks odd fan requests and getting in the opposition’s face How have you found the start to your Tottenham career?

I’m enjoying it. We’ve been in and around the leaders, which is really good. Personally, I’ve been getting a lot of minutes, and scored a few goals, but I don’t feel like I’m 100 per cent just yet. I’m not a conformist who settles for performances that are only OK. I know I can do better, so I must work hard in training to improve.

a non-existent microphone and cooing “Hellooooo.” Soldado turns bright red, and FFT knows exactly what this means...]

Would it be a failure not to get Champions League football?

‘Failure’ is a word that nobody likes, and the possibility of not finishing in the top four is something that hasn’t even entered our heads. That’s our main objective, but we have to be ambitious and not give ourselves a ceiling to what we want to achieve. We’ve got a very dynamic squad that’s maybe even more competitive than last season, despite losing Gareth Bale.

“I thought this fan wanted me to jump out of a life-size birthday cake for her dad”

You had some tough times when you were injured at Real Madrid aged 17, going out too much, not concentrating on football.

What would you say to that Roberto Soldado if you could today?

If I hadn’t gone through those tough experiences then, but at 26 or 27, it would’ve been a lot worse. I wasn’t aware

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Soldado is wearing the new Adidas F50 boots, part of the Samba Collection. Visit adidas. com or join the conversation @adidasUK #F50 #allin or nothing

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6

Roberto Soldado Tottenham Hotspur, Forward, 28

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Mario Gomez Fiorentina, Forward, 28

Branislav Ivanovic Chelsea, Defender, 29

Raphael Varane Real Madrid, Defender, 20

19

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Finally, what’s the weirdest request you’ve had from a fan?

[Thinks long and hard] Ah, of course! There was once this girl who came up to me after a Valencia game and asked if I would go to her house to wish her father a happy birthday. I had visions of her wanting me to get inside a life-size cake and spring out, shouting: ‘Surprise!’

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DISAGREE?

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Tweet us your 140-character assassination at #FFT100

FourFourTwo.com January 2014 81

Interview Andrew Murray

[As if on cue, a kung-fu-kicking Sandro sidles over, playing air guitar, miming into

People say you have mala leche [‘bad milk’] on the pitch. Is getting in an opponent’s face part of your game?

It helps me concentrate, and if things aren’t going my way, that’s when it really benefits me. It firms me up. I need that fire inside me; the batteries to start me up.

Ramires Chelsea, Midfielder, 26

And how’s the English?

It’s, er, improving [laughs]. Like anything new, it comes along little by little. I’m now seeing what it’s like to be the new guy in a dressing room who sits around smiling but not really knowing what people are going on about.

The shoe’s on the other foot. You’ve got to walk tall and be switched on with what’s going on around you...

You did a Spanish documentary last year about blind football. How was it?

It’s an experience that I’ll never forget.

When I was on my way to doing it, I was pretty nervous because I didn’t know how people could cope without sight. They’re incredible people – an absolute inspiration.

You soon learn how important the sense of touch and verbal communication is for them to live. These are essential parts of life; we don’t realise how lucky we are sometimes.

really bad. It’s a great way to break the ice with the squad, though. You lose any nerves you might have around your new team-mates and it brings everyone together. I’ve got no future as a singer, though!

Jesus Navas Manchester City, Midfielder, 28

How have you found adapting to the pace and physicality of the Premier League?

Every game is tough, especially away from home. You have to concentrate 100 per cent, regardless of the position the opposition occupy in the table. That’s what I’m struggling with most– the mental rhythm of having to be at maximum concentration. That’s not always the case in La Liga. Referees are different, too. Sometimes it seems to pain them to blow for a free-kick! They’re all challenges I’m warming to.

So, how was your initiation with the squad?!

Madre mia, this guy [Sandro] is f***ing killing me! [A delighted Sandro exits stage right, knowing his work here is done] I had to stand on top of a chair in front of the whole squad and sing this Spanish song. I was a disaster –

enough of the opportunity I had at the time.

With a 17-year-old’s mentality you don’t think about what effect you’re having on your life. Thankfully, my parents were on the ball and soon came to live in Madrid. They put me back on the path to the professional life I needed to live to become a footballer.

119mins

Negredo scored a La Liga goal every 119 minutes between November and May, bettered only by Leo Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Roberto Soldado

TOP 100 PLAYERS

Alvaro Negredo

They’re all older than me, so playing with them and their friends was a great introduction to football. My eldest brother protected me a lot and was always stepping in to threaten other players if he thought they were trying to hurt me. But if we were on opposite sides, he’d be the only one allowed to give me a kicking!

My middle brother, Ruben, had the most talent – he was superb. I wanted to be like them and I owe the spirit I have now to them.

“I like being a different beast from game to game”

which was one of the main factors in me coming here. At no point before this summer did I think about leaving, but after four seasons at Sevilla, it was time for a change of scenery. As a footballing decision, it wasn’t a difficult decision to come to a team that’s always fighting for titles and recently won the Premier League. I hope to be here for many years to come because my new team-mates and the fans have been great.

On a personal level, leaving Spain was a bit difcult. You’re leaving the only country you’ve known, your friends, your city, your people, but it’s definitely worked out for the best. My wife and daughter have come over with me, and my grandparents, brothers and sisters have been to see us a couple of times, too. All that helps. To be honest, if you take away the winter cold, even the weather hasn’t been too bad: I’ve always loved training in the rain!

Though, I must admit I like being a giant in a team of tiny little guys: Navas, Aguero, Nasri and Silva are all so small! I’m strong, with an English-type physique, so that’s helped me adapt to the Premier League.

It definitely helps being a striker, too.

Teams here always look to attack, so the game develops very quickly and goalscoring chances come along quicker. I’ve always got on well with new team-mates and I am looking to create goals as much as score them – they appreciate that.

If you win the Manchester derby, you win everything. Personally, to participate in two of the goals and win 4-1

I learned to fnish from Hugo Sanchez. Every Friday at

Manuel Pellegrini was the Real Madrid coach that let me go, but there has never been any rancour at any point. Quite the opposite, because he didn’t give me any false hopes about getting in the team. He was totally honest. I had Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, Higuain and even Raul in front of me. He said he believed in me, but that I needed to play and wished me all the best. I spoke with him at length before coming here and he told me I was going to be very important for him at City and that he had confidence in me. I did my best there, but Real Madrid have the best players in the world in every position, above all at centre-forward, so it’s difficult. I’m left with that desire to have played more for them, but the decision to leave was the right one.

Below Pellegrini has sold and bought Negredo

Almeria, he’d do a training session just with us forwards. He used to show us a video of a season when he scored 38 goals for Real Madrid and every one of them was with his first touch. Every one! The first time I saw it, I couldn’t believe my eyes. He always said: “Don’t think about what you’re going to do, because you lose a tenth of a second and a defender can tackle you, or you’ll over-think and miss. With a bicycle kick [the chosen execution of Sanchez’s famous Madrid goal], then maybe. Otherwise, never!” Actually, Sanchez did exercises on bicycle kicks too. They were great fun.

I love being called the Beast. Most of my nicknames come from my celebrations. I’m also called the Shark because I do la cresta [puts his hand, karate chop-style to his forehead] after some goals.

I like the idea that I can be a slightly different ‘beast’ from game to game.

If you go to Madrid, my dad could be your taxi driver. I’ve told him a thousand

I love doing the difcult thing: life’s boring otherwise. If you

times I’ll pay for him to stop, but he loves it. I think he’d get too fidgety at home. When I was at Sevilla, he once picked up the president, Jose Maria del Nido, at the train station by chance. My dad knew exactly who he was, but didn’t say anything until the end of the journey when he said there was no charge.

I think Del Nido invited my mum and dad to his place in Sevilla the next time they were there!

take the easy route, you don’t grow.

As soon as you relax in any situation, you’re f***ed. You learn from those who are operating at a better level than you are.

At City, the competition is fierce, but you learn from each other and give your best so that you play as many minutes as possible. I thrive on the challenge; I’ve had to fight my whole career to be a regular at Real Madrid reserves, Almeria and Sevilla. City is no different.

Alvaro Negredo is wearing the new F50 football boots, part of the Adidas Samba Collection inspired by Brazil. Visit adidas.com or join the conversation @adidasUK #F50 #allin or nothing

I was the untouchable king of the street, but only thanks to my brothers!

● Goalkeeper ● Defender ● Midfielder ● Forward

New entry

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Places dropped

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Jakub Blaszczykowski Borussia Dortmund, Midfielder, 27

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Stefan Kiessling Bayer Leverkusen, Forward, 29

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Stevan Jovetic Manchester City, Forward, 24

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2

Mathieu Valbuena Marseille, Midfielder, 29

10

Nemanja Vidic Manchester United, Defender, 32

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Borussia Dortmund, Forward, 24

Interview Andrew Murray

I’m no Zidane, but I’m not a clumsy oaf that can’t do anything but score goals.

was a beautiful moment, and it gave us a huge amount of confidence. It’s like the victory counted double. At Sevilla it was the same against Real Betis: the jokes, words in the streets and sense of humour would start two weeks before the game and wouldn’t stop until way after the referee blew the final whistle. There will always be intensity in a derby, but in Manchester both teams are fighting for the league. That adds flavour.

Places climbed

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6

Andrea Barzagli Juventus, Defender, 32

As soon as City were interested in me, I didn’t even think. I just said yes. They’re a big club with a long history,

Same as last year

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TOP 100 PLAYERS

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41

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77

David Villa Atletico Madrid, Forward, 32

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Leighton Baines Everton, Defender, 28

80

Samir Handanovic Inter, Goalkeeper, 29

7

Diego Costa Atletico Madrid, Forward, 25

Hugo Lloris Tottenham Hotspur, Goalkeeper, 26

“As soon as you relax, you’re f***ed. At City competition is ferce, but I thrive on the challenge”

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Alvaro Negredo Manchester City, Forward, 28

41%

Between October and July, Negredo had a hand in 19 of Sevilla’s 46 La Liga goals – an impressive 41 per cent

GET ONLINE!

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Read a profile on every player in FFT’s Top 100 at FourFourTwo.com

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18

The number of chances created by Mkhitaryan from open play so far this season (up until October 31), the most by any current Dortmund player except Marco Reus (25)

TOP 100 PLAYERS

Henrikh Mkhitaryan

He had a burning desire to match his father, who died when he was seven 28

● Goalkeeper ● Defender ● Midfielder ● Forward

New entry

71 1

11

9

Places dropped

70 1

Victor Valdes Barcelona, Goalkeeper, 31

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Daniele De Rossi Roma, Midfielder, 30

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Jan Vertonghen Tottenham Hotspur, Defender, 26

Mario Mandzukic, Bayern Munich, Forward, 27

25

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Above His prolific dad Hamlet; showing the form that took him away from Donetsk

Places climbed

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Mats Hummels Borussia Dortmund, Defender, 24

because I had played badly, my mum would say to me, ‘It’s OK, you don’t have to play football if you don’t want to. No one is going to force you to be a footballer and you can be whatever you want to be in life,’” he recalls.

“But I insisted. And my mum encouraged me to keep working hard.” Today, he has grown into a player his father’s old friends from Valence can barely believe they are watching: the spitting image of his much-loved dad.

He’s not one to dwell on the past, though. Instead, he is driven to reach new heights (he says he is far from satisfied with his achievements so far) and to embrace all that life has to offer. As a player for Shakhtar Donetsk between 2010 and 2013, he would find time to go to the theatre and cinema, and began studying economics.

He is humble, hungry and determined to seize opportunities. “I’m a straightforward person, really,” he says. “I don’t have any delusions about being a star. I’m studying because I feel like it’s important to keep learning throughout life – the moment you stop, you may as well be dead.” That goes for life on the football pitch, too.

Blaise Matuidi PSG, Midfielder, 26

Mount Ararat casts a long shadow over Yerevan, the capital of Armenia and Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s birthplace.

The graceful playmaker – now inhabiting Borussia Dortmund’s No.10 shirt – has, though, had another shadow to escape in his footballing career and has done so with quiet determination and not a little steel.

“I fell in love with the game because of my dad,” he tells FourFourTwo. “Football is in my blood and I wanted to become a player like him.” His father was Hamlet Mkhitaryan, the tragic prince of Armenian football. He was a trailblazer – a striker for FC Ararat Yerevan in the 1980s who became one of the first Soviet players to seize the chances afforded by the Perestroika era and move abroad.

In 1989 he arrived in the French lower leagues, an unknown, plying his trade at ASOA Valence. After making an immediate impression both on and off the field, he sent for his young family to join him in southern France, including his nine-month-old son, Henrikh. They watched as Hamlet helped Valence to promotion to the second division and won the hearts of his team-mates and fans. It was a happy time – and to this day, Henrikh chats comfortably in fluent French.

The Mkhitaryans’ world was shattered, though, when Hamlet was taken ill in training one day. Doctors diagnosed a brain tumour.

Surgery failed to arrest its assault on the outwardly healthy family man. Soon, he was guiding his wife and two children (Henrikh has a sister) back to Yerevan so that he could, he told his closest friends, “die at home”.

When he did succumb to the tumour in 1996, he was 33. His son was seven. Did he doubt even for a moment he would follow in his father’s footsteps? “No,” he says. “Not at all.”

Still, it cannot have been easy. Trading France for a ruined, post-Soviet Armenia, learning to play at a local club which bore his father’s name and with a burning desire to match him, the young Henrikh put himself under immense pressure. Sometimes it all became too much. “Whenever I came home crying from a match because we had lost or

Michael Carrick Manchester United, Midfielder, 32

Interview Titus Chalk

The Dortmund schemer shares his tragic journey to the top

Last season, Mkhitaryan got his first taste of Borussia Dortmund’s perpetual pressing machine – as an opponent in the Champions League round of 16. “For me,” he says, “Dortmund were one of the hardest teams we played against.” Unable to find the space he craves between the lines, he could do little to prevent Shakhtar slipping to a 5-2 aggregate defeat.

Dortmund were, says Mkhitaryan, “a perfect team, with good players and an impressive coach”.

Although he had little inkling then he may end up joining them, once Mario Gotze’s Bayern Munich departure was finalised, Dortmund swooped for a player with all the attributes to make it in their black and gold set-up: an exquisite orchestrator, handy goalscorer and a tenacious presser. Klopp wanted him – and Mhkitaryan was inspired by his enthusiasm. “To work with such a great coach is a dream come true,” he says.

“When I spoke to him for the first time, I could sense he was a good man first and a good coach second.”

Accordingly, Mhkitaryan has been welcomed into a dressing room like a family member and given all the support he needs to prosper, including a translator until he can master German, his sixth language.

In the meantime, he does his talking on the pitch, communicating a lifetime of lessons learned the hard way.

To fans back home in Yerevan, he is a hero, an ambassador for Armenia and an example of how they too might prosper. Typically, Mkhitaryan takes the adulation in his stride: “I try and be open and available to them, to share my experience of heading abroad to play football,” he says.

“I think it’s very important to give something back – even if it is just an idea, inspiration to the next generation, that they can achieve something similar.” In short, it is exactly the kind of message passed down from father to son – by a man, who despite his protestations, would make his own dad very proud indeed.

Same as last year

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35.9mins

Mkhitaryan has averaged a chance created from open play every 35.9 minutes over the last year, the best rate of any current Dortmund player

TOP 100 PLAYERS

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Francesco Totti

Even at 37, the talisman is still Roma’s most important player. Here’s why...

15 Number of assists provided in Serie A (all stats from November 1, 2012 to October 31, 2013) – the second-highest in Europe’s top five leagues, behind Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta

103 Total chances created (including assists) – the fifth highest in Europe’s top five leagues and highest in Italy

13 Points gained by Roma directly from Totti’s goals and assists – some handy help, then

76 Total shots on goal – Serie A defenders just can’t keep this man quiet

15.79%

Age hasn’t slowed down Totti’s shot conversion rate

891 Passes in the final third (only two players have more in Italy). No wonder so many Italians want Totti back in the national team...

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Francesco Totti Roma, Forward, 37

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Marcelo Real Madrid, Defender, 25

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Paul Pogba Juventus, Midfielder, 20

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Arda Turan Atletico Madrid, Midfielder, 26

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7

Henrikh Mkhitaryan Borussia Dortmund, Midfielder, 24

Claudio Marchisio Juventus, Midfielder, 27

21

Minutes played in total in the league.

There’s no sticking this veteran on the subs’ bench...

DISCUSS

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FourFourTwo.com January 2014 85

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No defender in La Liga had more touches than Jordi Alba last season. Alba placed third in La Liga overall, behind Xavi and Roberto Trashorras

TOP 100 PLAYERS

Jordi Alba... talks team-mates

Barça’s flying full-back gives us the lowdown on his colleagues who have made our top 100

Xavi

“He’s a leader. He’s been at Barcelona for years and welcomes every new player or academy graduate into the team like he would greet a senior player.

On the pitch, he’s our go-to guy. He’s got the same motivation at 33 as when he made his debut in 1998 and takes great care of himself.

That’s been a pleasant surprise, how his level never drops. He’s still the Xavi of old; all my team-mates who have been here longer than me say so. We’ve got a lot of players who are good at the rondos [piggy in the middle] we play in training, but he’s one of the best. Above all, he’s a fantastic person.”

“Sergio’s fundamental for Barça and the national team. He might not get the plaudits that others do, but you notice the balance he brings to the side in every game. He’s super-important for us and the best player in the world in his position.

Every day he’s looking to improve; he treats every training session as if it were a match.

That’s reflected on the pitch. I’ve known him for a few years now and, away from the pitch, he’s a really down-to-earth guy.”

Cesc Fabregas

“People say his role’s changed under Tata Martino, but I don’t

Gerard Pique

“The three words that I’d use to describe Pique would be: elegant, tough and quick. In one-on-ones he’s shown many times that he’s so difficult to get past – a real competitor. His pace is underrated, too; for a tall guy there aren’t many forwards who run beyond him. With me, and a couple of others, he’s the dressing room joker, always smiling.”

Andres Iniesta

“Andres is exactly like you see on television. He’s very humble, approachable and an extremely hard worker.

Like Xavi, he’s been here for ages and knows what it means to play for the Barça family.

When I signed at the beginning of last season, he gave me a lot of advice and was always looking after me and asking how things were going. He’s the kind of person that makes you grow and come out of your shell. He’s nicknamed El Cerebro [‘the Brain’] for a reason and is completely different to any other player.

It’s difficult to think of an adjective to best describe him… [thinks] put simply, he’s a guy who makes a difference in every game.”

Below “Wear this shirt at the World Cup? Oh, go on then”

Neymar

“The main question for me was how long it would take Neymar to adapt to the unique way we play, but his start has been fantastic. He might be very young, but he’s understood the Barça style brilliantly and is a different type of player to the others that we’ve got. He likes to dribble and commit defenders. He’s mixed well with the team, his Spanish is improving and it’s a privilege to have him.”

“Our tactics vary depending on the opposition, but when the manager wants to open up the play, it’s great to have Dani and me attacking from full-back. He’s really into his fashion and is a sharp dresser, too. He looks good in pretty much anything!

As a Brazilian, he loves listening to music in the dressing room before games. We listen to a bit of everything, so the guy in charge of the stereo tends to vary.”

“Barça have had a strong tradition of keepers that play the ball out and it’s a real benefit to the way we play. The keeper isn’t there only to stop shots, but to develop the play. He has great quality with his feet. A complete keeper.”

“I get on really well with him – he’s a funny guy and very open.

We have a lot of quick players in the squad, but Pedro is up there. He’s very dedicated in every training session and

Jordi Alba wears the Adidas Samba Collection adizero f50, the boot that challenges players to ‘Fly or Die’. To join the conversation follow @adidasfootball #allin or nothing

● Goalkeeper ● Defender ● Midfielder ● Forward

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New entry

58 1

Karim Benzema Real Madrid, Forward, 25

40

Leonardo Bonucci Juventus, Defender, 26

60

Dani Alves

Victor Valdes

Pedro

Giorgio Chiellini Juventus, Defender, 29

Luka Modric Real Madrid, Midfielder, 28

61

game, is superb in one-on-one situations and there’s plenty of goals in him. A lot of teams try to close down our space and Pedro is excellent at breaking these sides down on the occasions when our usual style of play isn’t quite working. He’s another great alternative for us who surprises the opposition.”

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3

Joao Moutinho Monaco, Midfielder, 27

Interview Andrew Murray

Sergio Busquets

really agree. He’s always been very versatile and equally at home in central midfield as he is further forward. Whether for Arsenal, Barcelona or Spain, he’s had a number of consistently excellent seasons and this year is no different. Our style is perfectly suited to Cesc – you can tell he was reared at La Masia – but you can also see the years he spent in England. He’s Catalan and is proud to have come home, just like me and Gerard Pique.”

Places dropped

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22

27

Places climbed

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Jordi Alba Barcelona, Defender, 24

“I knew of Leo in La Masia and played against him plenty of times at Valencia. He’s unique. It’s a pleasure to train and play in the same team as him – you soon realise that he’s the best in the world and there’s no one else quite like him.

In every training session he does something special, so I can’t even pick one that stands out! He was in the Juvenil [Barça under-18s] team when I was in Cadete [under-15s], so I didn’t know him personally, but people were already talking about him. The first time I saw him play, I knew he’d be incredible.”

Marek Hamsik Napoli, Midfielder, 26

Lionel Messi

Same as last year

55

102

Alba also made 102 interceptions – that’s more than any other Barcelona player last season

TOP 100 PLAYERS

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Jordi Alba

“Above all, I’m a hard worker, whether it’s on the training pitch or during matches. It’s not up to me to say what my qualities are, but I try to do the best I can each day to be the best player possible.

Any player must be honest in their work to help the team, and that’s my principal goal.

Little by little I keep improving, listening to my coaches and trying to iron out any weaknesses there are in my game.”

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20

Mario Balotelli AC Milan, Forward, 23

53

Carlos Tevez Juventus, Forward, 29

Gerard Pique Barcelona, Defender, 26

Eden Hazard Chelsea, Midfielder, 22

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8

51

30

50

Xabi Alonso Real Madrid, Midfielder, 32

15

24

Thibaut Courtois Chelsea/Atletico Madrid, Goalkeeper, 21

“Dani Alves? He’s a sharp dresser.

He looks good in anything!”

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FourFourTwo.com January 2014 87

322

Cazorla made 322 passes into the fnal third for Arsenal last term – more than any other player at the club

TOP 100 PLAYERS

Santi Cazorla: the fans’ interview would leave Real Madrid. I was actually with some of the Real Madrid players [while on international duty] when the transfer went through. I think Arbeloa was the first to tell me he wanted to come to Arsenal, and what a fantastic player he is. We were all together in the hotel and I was saying: ‘Please, please, please, let it be official!’ Every time one of their phones rang, I just couldn’t believe that Madrid would let him go. It’s brilliant to have him here.

The season didn’t start very well against Aston Villa. What happened and how did you recover so impressively?

Dion Lansland, Facebook It was difficult to start the season in that way. The first home game is always an important one, to provide a marker for the fans, so to lose that game was a hard moment for us. We talked in the dressing room for a long time after the game about what had happened and we were conscious that, going forward, we had to change the image of the team that we’d shown in that first game. Luckily, we’ve worked even harder since to be stronger and you’re seeing the benefits of that change in the team.

What’s it like working with Arsene Wenger?

Delroy Atkins, Islington Day to day, he’s the physical representation of Arsenal. He is the club. Alex Ferguson, who’s now obviously left, and Wenger are the two managers who define the Premier League.

It’s so rare to get a coach staying at the same team for nearly 20 years.

He’s a fundamental part of Arsenal’s history, he’s achieved great things with this club and I hope we can return this team to the trophy-winning days of the past because the fans deserve it.

He’s loved here and we want to keep his influence going.

I still can’t believe we got Özil! Were the players surprised Real Madrid let him go?

Justin Harris, via Twitter Absolutely, and it’s not only me! The Real Madrid players have all said the same thing.

Nobody was expecting that Mesut Özil, a young player of such immense quality,

How’s your English after a year?

Charlie Rogers, via email It’s coming along little by little. I’m taking classes, but the main problem I need to overcome is being scared to make a mistake when I speak. That’s life. It’s better than my first few weeks here. I just said ‘yes’ and

● Goalkeeper ● Defender ● Midfielder ● Forward

What do you do for food in London, Santi?

Have you treated any of your team-mates to a famous Asturian fabada [spicy bean stew]?

Nilesh Patel, via email While we were both injured, Arteta and his wife came over to my place to watch the Sunderland game. My wife and mother-in-law made a huge fabada and he had two platefuls so he obviously enjoyed it! When I first arrived and we were living in a hotel, I ate Mikel out of house and home, so he said it was payback. He made tortilla, we had jamon, it was brilliant. He was my saviour.

Is it true Pepe Reina calls you Paquirrin, which apparently means overweight?

Rachel Ferry, via Twitter [Laughs] Ah that was before. Now I’m called Enano [‘short lad’]. Paquirrin was when I was at Villarreal – when I did something good, the crowd would shout ‘Paquirrin!’

It was fun. I’m more athletic now!

Cazorla wears PUMA evoSPEED 1.2 boots

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New entry

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Places dropped

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Angel di Maria Real Madrid, Midfielder, 25

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Is it true that your life was turned upside down because you didn’t have any curtains?

Kim Lee, via email Absolutely – it was hell! Curtains over here are different. In Spain, we’re accustomed to sleeping in total darkness because the sun’s really bright in the morning. You can’t even see your hand in front of your face. When we first moved into our house, we were waking up at 6am. I’d go to training and people were asking if I’d gone out the night before because I looked so sleepy. Mikel Arteta explained that every house in England is like that and I’d have to find blackout curtains myself. I’m happier now!

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Santi Cazorla Arsenal, Midfielder, 28

Ashley Cole Chelsea, Defender, 32

Gianluigi Bufon Juventus, Goalkeeper, 35

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Below Santi couldn’t believe it either, FourFourTwo readers!

David Alaba Bayern Munich, Defender, 21

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22

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How are you finding the Premier League?

Becky Lipton, via email I’m enjoying the challenge. As I’ve said many times before, Spain is a great league, which is more technical and tactical than England.

But sometimes there are teams who are set up with 11 men defending and have barely a thought about attacking. But here, that’s not enough. The fans don’t accept it.

Teams must go after the opposition and that’s more exciting for players and fans alike.

smiled at anyone who spoke to me. All the time: ‘yes, yes, yes’. Sometimes I’d said ‘yes’ to something I had no idea about. People from the club would say: “Santi, a couple of days ago you said you’d meet me for a coffee but yesterday you didn’t show up. Where were you?”

It helped me learn the word ‘sorry’, at least!

Places climbed

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Dani Alves Barcelona, Defender, 30

Santi, it’s about time we ended our trophy drought, isn’t it? Tell me this is the year!

James Mulligan, via email I think so, absolutely. Everybody at the club wants it and as players we want it for the fans most of all. In the second half of last season we went on a good run and became more consistent, something I think we’ve maintained so far this season. With the signings we’ve made this summer, especially Mesut Özil, the team is better this year and we want to fight to get to the level of Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City.

It will help that we’ve changed our mentality. Part of the problem had been the years Arsenal have lived without a trophy; you almost become accustomed to that feeling of not having silverware. I think that’s changed with the end we had to last season, and we’re looking forward with more hunger and desire to change the situation we find ourselves in.

Oscar Chelsea, Midfielder, 22

Interview Andrew Murray

Arsenal’s classy midfielder takes your questions on Spanish stew, Özil and blackout blinds

Same as last year

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96

Cazorla created 96 chances (including assists) for Arsenal in the Prem last season, more than any other player at the club

TOP 100 PLAYERS

Mario Gotze 28-second interview

A quickie Q&A with Bayern’s new boy

Hero growing up?

Zinedine Zidane. No one else came close.

Earliest football memory?

Having a kickabout with my brother in the back garden.

Team supported as a boy?

Barcelona.

Bundesliga or Champions League?

Champions League.

Hobbies?

Playing any sport really. Tennis, volleyball, swimming, table tennis – I can do them all!

Favorite Food?

Spätzle, which is a noodle dish stewed with apples, cinnamon and sugar. Mmm. Favourite TV Programme?

I don’t watch TV, other than sports and movies.

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Interview Oliver Trust

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Andrea Pirlo Juventus, Midfielder, 34

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David Silva Manchester City, Midfielder, 27

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Toni Kroos Bayern Munich, Midfielder, 23

40

27

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29

Ilkay Gundogan Borussia Dortmund, Midfielder, 23

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53

Mario Gotze Bayern Munich, Midfielder, 21

Antonio Di Natale Udinese, Forward, 36

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DISAGREE?

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FourFourTwo.com January 2014 89

99

Ramos has made 99 headed clearances for Real Madrid – more than any other player at the club in this time

TOP 100 PLAYERS

The real Sergio Ramos: a romantic bullfghter

The straight-talking, Panenka-scoring defender in his own words

● Goalkeeper ● Defender ● Midfielder ● Forward

New entry

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51

Places dropped

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Places climbed

30

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Pedro Barcelona, Forward, 26

33

Gonzalo Higuain Napoli, Forward, 25

34

Arturo Vidal Juventus, Midfielder, 26

35

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Arjen Robben Bayern Munich, Midfielder, 29

Sergio Ramos Real Madrid, Defender, 27

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35 Vincent Kompany Manchester City, Defender, 27

“The tension between Barça and Madrid players got a bit excessive”

I chip it?’ He laughed and said that when the moment arrived I’d bottle it. And I said: ‘Well, if the chance comes around to take a penalty and I’m the first...’ And that’s what happened.

It’s a moment that has lived with me since.

That victory, and all the success we’ve had with Spain, owes much to the Real Madrid and Barcelona players sitting down together and ironing out our differences. There was talk of a personal problem between me and Gerard Pique but I’ve never had a problem with him. After spending some time with him he’s a great lad with a good heart. These stories emerged after Real Madrid and Barcelona had a lot of games in quick succession: Champions League, La Liga, Copa del Rey. It’s true there was a bit of tension after this, and it got a bit excessive at times, but we found a solution and moved on.

I’d also say I’m an optimist, but someone who’s not happy with past achievements. For me you always have to look forward; you need to continually move forward. You can’t live in the past. This outlook means that I feel loved by the fans wherever I go. This, I think, is down to the value the fans place on the effort you put into your professional life.

Javi Martinez Bayern Munich, Midfielder, 25

“The real Sergio Ramos? You could say I’m a bit of a rebel with an attitude. I’m the sort of person that doesn’t need to get on with everyone; the kind of guy that will speak my mind whether you like it or not. I always tell people what I think.

Growing up I was inspired by the matadors at the local bullring in Seville, La Maestranza.

You could say there’s an element of the bullfighter in me. In the past it’s a profession that I would have considered, but football makes me even happier than bullfighting.

However, in a certain way I feel a bond with that world because my family and my town have always been great bullfighting fans.

On the pitch this translates as confidence.

The best example of this is the penalty I scored in the semi-final of Euro 2012 against Portugal. That penalty came shortly after I’d missed a penalty in the Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich. That miss led to all sorts of repercussions, but then there are lots of repercussions for practically anything Sergio Ramos does. My family really suffered after that miss, especially my mother and sister, so I wanted to give them something. Which is why I took that penalty against Portugal – and chipped it like Panenka.

Before the game, I said to Vicente [del Bosque]: ‘Gaffer, if I take a penalty shall

This attitude can be traced back to some of my heroes growing up: Puyol, Fernando Hierro, Maldini. More local to me, there was Javi Navarro, Pablo Alfaro, ‘Tiburon’ [‘Shark’] Prieto. I’m glad kids now have Sergio Ramos as a role model.

I’d consider myself a romantic; I’m certainly the most romantic of my brothers. But then speaking of my brother, there’s a story that suggests perhaps I’m a bit of a lover and a fighter. When I was 15 and my brother was 23, we played against each other for our respective teams in a friendly match. I was in the junior ranks of Sevilla and he was a forward. There was a game at their ground; everyone from the town was there and they always used to get stuck into us. And my brother, well... he was the centre-forward and I was the centre-back. There was the typical banter between brothers during the game and I said to him: ‘Careful, today is serious and we’re playing a match.’ He was looking to have a laugh but I wasn’t interested in getting involved. Then the keeper took the goal-kick and I went up for the ball with my elbows out and accidentally caught him on the lip. The ref didn’t blow for a foul even though I made him bleed a little. Ten minutes later their coach saw I was getting the better of him and took him off: ‘Aren’t you embarrassed that your 15 year-old brother is beating you to everything?’

My brother’s lived off that story since!”

Same as last year

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11

Pedro’s 11 goals in the last 12 months have come from just 20 shots on target

TOP 100 PLAYERS

Pedro: My Barcelona

The striker from Tenerife shows us around his adopted city A British fan arrives in Barcelona for the first time – what do they see either side of watching a game?

Barcelona is one of the most visited cities in the world; there’s so much to do. Parc Guell, Sagrada Familia, the Olympic port, beaches and mountains – Barcelona has everything.

Close to Barcelona, there’s the beautiful Costa Brava to the north. To the south are the beaches of Castelldefels and Sitges, where I often go with my family. Many of my team-mates live near there.

Barcelona has great shops, on the Portal de l’Angel near Placa Catalunya or the expensive fashion shops on the Passeig de Gracia.

In what part of Barcelona do you reside?

Molins de Rei. I don’t think any other footballers live there. It’s close to the training ground and my wife is from there. My life is normal. The people see me every day, in the bread shop or cafes with my dog Ronnie or our baby boy, who is now seven months old.

I didn’t call Ronnie after either Ronaldo! There are Barça, Espanyol and Madrid fans there, but all are friendly with me. There’s a good Argentine restaurant – we’re happy there.

You moved from Tenerife to Barcelona at 17.

How did you find the adaptation process?

It was difficult. I went from a small village on a small island to a metropolis. There was so much traffic and I saw a road with six lanes of traffic all going in the same direction.

I struggled to adapt to the new rhythm of the city. I can now understand the Catalan language now, but I’d like to speak it better.

The culture was different, the food, the people – so many people from all around the world.

It was a big change. I take holidays in Tenerife at Christmas when we have a two-week break and also in the summer.

Almost all my family are there in my village.

How important is football to the people of Barcelona?

It’s a way of life for a lot of people here.

They get the feeling from their fathers and grandfathers. The values of the club are passed to them. Barça make so many people happy. If we win then millions of people are happy, not just in Barcelona but around the world.

Thankfully, we’ve won a lot.

Parc Guell, one of many Gaudiinspired havens

Sagrada Familia – as iconic as the Nou Camp?

Barcelona’s very own Arc de Triomf

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24

Wayne Rooney Manchester United, Forward, 28

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Juan Mata Chelsea, Midfielder, 25

27

Thomas Muller Bayern Munich, Midfielder, 24

Isco Real Madrid, Midfielder, 21

28

13

7

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Dante Bayern Munich, Defender, 30

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Manuel Neuer Bayern Munich, Goalkeeper, 27

Interview Andy Mitten

Do you spend your spare time with your family or team-mates?

Both. I’ll go for dinner or to the cinema with team-mates. We go to a small restaurant in

Sarria [a wealthy neighbourhood on the edge of Barcelona] which serves Spanish food. Or Da Greco, an Italian in the centre where there’s a table for Barça players. If we go as a team or with my family, it’s fine and nobody bothers us.

DISCUSS

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FourFourTwo.com January 2014 91

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Only Franck Ribery (93) and Nuremberg’s Hiroshi Kiyotake (81) created more chances in the Bundesliga than Marco Reus (80) over the last year

TOP 100 PLAYERS

9 ways of looking at Marco Reus How to become a hometown hero the hard way, by the Dortmund and Germany star

DORTMUND 1 AS NATIVE

the one we had against Arsenal at home in the Champions League this season, the fans really got behind us when we were under pressure. That’s precisely why, whether we win or lose, we thank the Sudtribune after every game. It’s important to us, because as players, we want to know we can count on their support when we need it, especially when things aren’t going well. That means a lot to us.”

“Having grown up here, gone to school in the area and spent 10 years in Borussia Dortmund’s youth teams, it was always my dream to make it as a professional player at the club.

Since then, of course, a lot has changed and the club has really developed. You can see it in the way the club represents itself now. And I’m very happy to have taken the step to return here.”

“He was my absolute favourite player when I was younger and he’s still a fantastic player now. So it was great to face him in the Champions League when we played Arsenal, even though when you’re in the middle of a match, you don’t really realise who you’re facing. He’s a great guy and it was a pleasure to be able to swap shirts with him after our matches with Arsenal.”

“It’s a heavy blow to lose players as we have in the last couple of years – people like Mario [Gotze], someone who rescued us in so many games. But that’s football. Every player has their own vision of how their career will play out, what they’d like to achieve and you have to accept that. Fundamentally, though, we are a team that sticks together.

That has made Dortmund incredibly strong, as they showed with the two Bundesliga titles. We don’t let ourselves be influenced by what’s going on outside the club; we try and carry on doing things our own way.”

CURRENT, 9 AS NOT FUTURE STAR

“I’m not a star of the future, but someone who should be helping his team win something now. We’ve put ourselves in a good position so far. We started the season well – even if losing at home to Arsenal in the Champions League was a bitter defeat. We’ve got what it takes to do well this season and our self-confidence is high. We’ll do everything we can to keep winning games, getting the points we need and hopefully be rewarded for that at the end of the season.”

AN IDOL OF THE 6 ‘YELLOW WALL’

“It’s an unbelievable feeling playing in front of the Sudtribune. When you look at a game like

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● Goalkeeper ● Defender ● Midfielder ● Forward

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26

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10

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Places climbed

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Mesut Özil Arsenal, Midfielder, 25

Bastian Schweinsteiger Bayern Munich, Midfielder, 29

21

ADMIRER OF 8 AS TOMAS ROSICKY

5 AS ONE WHO STAYED

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25

22

“On rejoining Dortmund, I didn’t feel any pressure. Pressure is just part of football and you’ve got to deal with it. There was talk in the press that I had a choice between Bayern and Dortmund, but that wasn’t an issue for me.

Once I had the first discussion with the people in charge at Dortmund, it was pretty clear to me that I wanted to and would make the move here. It didn’t take long for me to agree.”

Reus “didn’t feel any pressure” upon rejoining Dortmund after six years away

“No, I wasn’t really a fan like [team-mate] Kevin Grosskreutz, who regularly stood on the Sudtribune. That’s Kevin through and through, though. I would just take a normal seat and cheer the players – and now I feel very lucky to be one of those on the receiving end of the crowd’s support.”

Yaya Toure Manchester City, Midfielder, 30

“I definitely learned a lot during my spell in the lower leagues with Rot Weiss. It did me a lot of good. We were in the third division when I joined and I didn’t get much of a chance to play for the first team.

When we went up to the second division, though, I got to play more and that year was very important for me. It was physical; you had to run a lot and put in a shift defensively. And that really helped develop my game – which resulted in my move to Borussia Monchengladbach.”

Marco Reus Borussia Dortmund, Forward, 24

Interview Titus Chalk

LOWER-LEAGUE 3 AS APPRENTICE

4

AS RETURNING HERO

Neymar Barcelona, Forward, 21

“As it was, I wasn’t getting a game in the B youth team at the time because they thought I was too small. As a young player, quite apart from any dream you might have of playing professionally, all you want to do is play regularly and improve. I wasn’t playing, so I had to leave if I wanted to keep moving forward, which was certainly a shame. It was just a step I had to take if I wanted to keep playing. Not that I had any doubts that I’d make it. Instead, I just worked as hard as I could and realised I had to make the right choices – like not going out partying with my friends, for example – if I wanted to make it as a pro.”

Luiz Suarez Liverpool, Forward, 26

AS YOUTH TEAM CAST-OFF

Sergio Aguero Manchester City, Forward, 25

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BOYHOOD 7 AS DORTMUND FAN

Same as last year

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10

Reus has scored 10 Bundesliga goals at home in the last 12 months; only strikers Robert Lewandowski (16) and Stefan Kiessling (15) have bagged more

TOP 100 PLAYERS

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19

Luis Suarez

He may be a naughty boy but few are better at the numbers game

27 Combined total of goals and assists in the Premier League (all stats from November 1, 2012 to October 31, 2013) – only Robin van Persie has a higher total (31) than Liverpool’s Uruguayan striker

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23 Goals scored in the league for Brendan Rodgers’ side in the last year

119 Total shots at goal in the Prem – he’s making up for lost time after his ban

19.33%

Chances created, including assists.

No wonder strike partner Daniel Sturridge is smiling more these days

His conversion rate is almost 20 per cent – impressive

244

Dribbles attempted, with a success rate of 32.4 per cent. His dribble count is the fourth-highest in Europe’s top five leagues (Franck Ribery is highest with 302) and the highest in the Premier League

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Sergio Busquets Barcelona, Midfielder, 25

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Robert Lewandowski Borussia Dortmund, Forward, 25

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Xavi Barcelona, Midfielder, 33

Edinson Cavani PSG, Forward, 26

Cesc Fabregas Barcelona, Midfielder, 26

15

10

11

11

Thiago Silva PSG, Defender, 29

7

6

Minutes played in total in the league.

When he’s not banned, the Reds can count on him

DISAGREE?

10

Tweet us your 140-character assassination at #FFT100

FourFourTwo.com January 2014 93

14 times

Ronaldo has been a bit unlucky, too: he’s hit the woodwork 14 times in the last 12 months in La Liga, more often than 14 entire teams

TOP 100 PLAYERS

Cristiano Ronaldo Our new leading man After an amazing personal season, CR7 is officially the best. FFT asked the winger if he agrees

● Goalkeeper ● Defender ● Midfielder ● Forward

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New entry

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Places climbed

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Franck Ribery Bayern Munich, Midfielder, 30

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the sports are about individuals; football is more about the team. I don’t think any player can be great unless he has great team-mates.

I would not be the player I am today without the team-mates I have, coaches I’ve learned from, the fans I play for and my family.”

Ronaldo’s spectacular start to the season led his club manager Carlo Ancelotti to claim he would stage a sit-in protest if the Portuguese forward is overlooked for the Ballon d’Or. In terms of accolades, however, CR7 is looking beyond that individual prize. “Our aims for the season? I think we can win both the league and the Champions League,” he says. Can he finish top scorer in both competitions?

“Hopefully we can do all four things you suggest. That would be amazing!”

League and Champions League winner and double top scorer: they’re lofty aims, but then Ronaldo will have help, chiefly from his new £80 million Welsh sidekick. Since the arrival of Gareth Bale from Spurs, the pair of slick-quiffed forwards have struck up an easy rapport on the pitch, leading Sergio Ramos to claim the pair are impossible to defend against.

Does he agree? “That’s a great thing to hear from a world-class player like Ramos. I cannot comment if we are impossible to defend against as I am not a defender – but if Sergio says so, then it must be true! I like playing with Bale. He is a very good player; he gives us an extra attacking option. In the same way I have shown in the past with the likes of Wayne [Rooney], it’s easy for good players to build an understanding with other good players.”

Good? The bear facts clearly demonstrate that at this moment, Ronaldo is better than good. Right now, he’s simply the best.

Radamel Falcao Monaco, Forward, 27

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Philipp Lahm Bayern Munich, Defender, 30

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Gareth Bale Real Madrid, Forward, 24

Robin van Persie Manchester United, Forward, 30

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Above Ronnie isn’t a commander, honest Below He’s probably scoring a goal as you read this page

Andres Iniesta Barcelona, Midfielder, 29

“Ramos says Bale and I are impossible to defend against?

It must be true”

World Cup play-off first-leg against Sweden.

“When someone names you the number one at something it’s a great acknowledgment of the hard work that we as players put in each day. I feel like I have had a good year and that my performances in 2013 have been strong.”

As for those comments from Blatter, he expresses the right to respectfully disagree with the notion of being ‘like a commander’. “I’m not sure commander is the right word,” he says pointedly. “We have a lot of leaders in the team – not just on the field but off it too.”

Ronaldo has admitted the neverending comparisons with Messi can grate: “We’re different players” is his stock response.

But it can’t be all bad; surely this personal duel to be the world’s best drives his insatiable quest for self-improvement? Just another entry in the pantheon of great sporting rivalries: Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier; John McEnroe vs Bjorn Borg; Ronaldo vs Messi. “In the examples you give,

Zlatan Ibrahimovic PSG, Forward, 32

With Lionel Messi’s level dropping following a series of injuries and Bayern Munich’s dominance owing as much to collective brilliance as Franck Ribery’s individual contribution, the decision to name Cristiano Ronaldo as this year’s number one player in the world was more straightforward than we expected it to be.

He has, let’s not forget, become the first player to notch 50 goals in 2013, set a new record for goals scored in the Champions League in a calendar year (overtaking Messi’s tally of 13 in 2012), while starting the new season with 24 goals – and counting – in 17 appearances (10 more goals than Messi).

All this following on from Sepp Blatter’s very public backing of the Barcelona maestro at the Oxford Union in October. It’s little wonder, then, that the Real Madrid and Portugal forward struggles to contain his delight when we catch up with him to announce our decision.

“Firstly, I want to thank you for this honour,” says Ronaldo just a few hours after scoring the winner for Portugal in their

Same as last year

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TOP 100 PLAYERS

The stats 86 MINUTES Ronaldo averaged a goal every 86 minutes in La Liga during this period The Madrid forward scored 14 goals in the Champions League in this time – more than anyone else

14

GOAL Nobody in the top five European leagues scored more goals at home than Cristiano Ronaldo in this time period (22)

3

Ronaldo scored three league hat-tricks over the last 12 months – no other player in Europe’s top five leagues could hit more than two

Find out why Ron’s our new No.1

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Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid, Forward, 28

Lionel Messi Barcelona, Forward, 26

1

You can’t keep him down: Ronaldo has scored nine headed goals in the league and Champions League in this period, more than any other player

1

So there you have it – after four years of missing out to his nimble Nou Camp nemesis in our list, Cristiano Ronaldo is top of the pile. Doubtless he agrees with our prognosis, but do you?

Visit FourFourTwo.com/FFT100 for our justification of the Real Madrid man’s selection at the summit, plus full profiles of

all 100 players and further analysis on the list. We answer the important questions our final selection raises, from how Luis Suarez can break into the top 10 to what the future holds for Neymar and Lionel Messi.

So read the full list online, comment on Twitter and hurl abuse at us on Facebook.

It is the 21st century, after all.

FourFourTwo.com January 2014 95