Top 10 Footballers in the World- Number 8

Disclaimer: This is all opinion-based. If you have any comments voice them below.

Surprisingly, the next footballer on our list is the only defender in my top 10. The Brazilian central defender is a nightmare for the opposition’s strikers while being a savior for his own team’s defense. He mixes strength with size and athleticism with intelligence. Thiago Silva reads the game like no other. It makes perfect sense why he captains the Brazilian national team and is on the radar of top teams in the world during every transfer window.

For now, however, Silva is playing his football for PSG (his teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic) was a previous member on this top 10). He helped anchor a defense that held the most clean sheets in the French Ligue 1 and helped lead the overall team to a first Ligue 1 Title. He is almost a shoe-in to start at Center Back for the home country Brazil in the next World Cup. I don’t know where their defense would be without him.

In most cases for defensemen, you will get a strong guy with not enough pacey, or a pacey player with not enough strength. Silva embodies both of those traits. Strikers and Attacking Midfielders look more to pass around or avoid him rather than try to beat him off the dribble or shield him off the ball. Thiago Silva is an absolute monster and look at him this season leading PSG alongside big Zlatan to potential Ligue 1 and Champions League glory.

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Top 10 Footballers in the World- Number 9

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Disclaimer: This is all opinion-based. If you have any comments voice them below.

Coming in next on the list is none other than the cockiest player in the world (possibly besides Nicklas Bendter), Zlatan Ibrahimovic. When you translate his name in Yugoslavian, Zlatan means “golden.” That is exactly what he is. He had an impressive run of 10 straight league titles with Inter Milan, Barcelona, and AC Milan. Now he plays for big-spending giants Paris Saint-Germain and is lighting up the French Ligue 1.

He led PSG in goals last season and led them to their first Ligue 1 title in 19 years, as well as to the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League, only to lose to Barcelona. Ibra can be described as a fierce competitor. He wants to win more than anybody else on the field and he surely lets his teammates know it. Often times you can find Ibra yelling at a teammate to get him the ball when he’s open.

His size is the first thing that people notice. With a 6’4 frame you might think he is tall, lanky, and awkward. But in reality he is tall, strong, and athletic. There have been an abundance of back-heel and bicycle kick goals from his feet since he became a professional footballer. Although he is 31 years old, Ibra is still playing like a man in his prime (look at his hat trick against Anderlecht in the Champions League on Wednesday).

The Golden One will continue to be a key figure in the football world. With a birth for the World Cup on the line, look at Zlatan Ibrahimovic to try and lead Sweden over powerhouse Portugal and a player you might see later on in this list.

Check out Zlatan's skills here

Top Ten Footballers in the World- Number 10

Gareth Bale

Disclaimer: This is all opinion-based. If you have any comments voice them below.

Starting off my list and coming in at number 10 is none other than the Real Madrid new man. Last year at Tottenham Bale lit up the English Premier League. He scored 26 goals in all competitions and scored so many late winning goals that many wonder if Tottenham would have finished where they did without Bale in the lineup.

Since, Bale has moved to Real Madrid for a record-breaking transfer fee of over $100 million. He has struggled with fitness and injury issues so far this season and hasn’t seen much action, but when he has played, he has been impressive.

His skill set is very unique as he is tall, strong, and feverishly quick. His left foot is second to none and his dribbling ability is impressive. Many might wonder why Bale isn’t higher up on the list. It’s simple, he hasn’t proved anything yet. He has had some good seasons with Tottenham but last season was his only true superstar season. Give it some time and Bale will no doubt make his way up the list of Top Footballers.

Impressive Roma

AS Roma is one of Italy’s biggest clubs but has been struggling for the past few years to return to Champions League and Italian League glory. Located in the capital of Italy, Roma embodies everything Italian Football is about. They have players like Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi who, unlike most of the rest of the football players of the world, declined big money transfers to different clubs in order to stay in Rome. There is lots of pride in the club, and this season is showing that.

Roma has begun the season by winning an astounding 8 games out of 8. They are the only football team in the professional world to have a 100% winning percentage to begin the season. The biggest of those wins came last Saturday as they defeated rivals Napoli 2-0. Napoli have been tipped to win the Italian Serie A this season by many journalists. Roma made a point that they are no joke and look to continue this run next weekend.

How have they become so good? Simple. They have the right players in the right system. The three man midfield consisting of De Rossi, Miralem Pjanic, and Dutch summer purchase Kevin Strootman has been instrumental in shutting down oppositions. The 37-year-old Totti has been a revelation this season, returning to the form he was in during his late 20s.

If Roma can continue their successful style of football for the rest of the season, then there is no reason why they can’t win the league title. Look out for Roma as they could be making a splash in the soccer world for years to come.