Only the best

Zidane is still the world's greatest footballer

Hello all,

I get asked all the time in my mailbags, "who is the best player in the world?" Well I decided it was time to answer that question.

Of course this is always an incredibly subjective topic, but the top 10 list below satisfies me. I have been fortunate enough to watch most of these players live, and that is the best way to judge them.

You only see so much on television. I look forward to seeing your comments soon.

Pedro Pinto's Top 10 Players in the World

1. Zinedine Zidane

Nationality: French Club: Real Madrid Age: 30

The first time I saw Zizu play, it was back in 2000 when I was at the San Siro to watch an Inter Milan vs Juventus match. I already knew he was special, but I was astounded with his overall skills, especially his close control. It looked like he had some sort of glue on his boots because the ball seemed to stick to his feet. Even though he is now approaching the tail end of his career, Zidane is clearly still the best in the world. He controls the whole tempo of a game, and with a quick fake or touch, he creates openings where they did not exist. His goalscoring record is not bad either. Nine goals in 31 games in all competitions this season are numbers many strikers in the world would be happy with.

2. Roberto Carlos

Nationality: Brazilian Club: Real Madrid Age: 29

Maybe you are surprised to see Carlos up this far, but I believe I am not overrating him. The Brazilian is not just an amazing player, he is also an amazing athlete. Maybe the best athlete in professional football. Last year, he was the only player to win the Champions League and the World Cup, yet he didn't come close to winning FIFA's Player of the Year award. Embarassing, if you ask me. Roberto Carlos can do anything with a football and without him Real Madrid and Brazil would be completely different teams. He covers the whole left flank game in and game out. Even his defending has improved leaps and bounds over the past couple of years and he is now an extremely complete player. He is also one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. Humble and kind.

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3. Thierry Henry

Nationality: French Club: Arsenal Age: 25

Over the last two seasons, Henry has developed into a superstar. Criticized in the recent past for missing too many easy chances, I don't think people can point that finger at him anymore. His goalscoring record speaks for itself. Henry has scored 43 goals in his last 61 Premiership games. Lethal in the box, Henry is at his best with the ball at his feet. He can twist and turn on a dime and his pace is electric. His overall awareness is also fantastic. He sets up a lot of goals.

4. Ronaldo

Nationality: Brazilian Club: Real Madrid, Age: 26

Ronaldo may not be the player he was when he was at Barcelona, but he's still phenomenal. Judging by his World Cup performances, I would have put him up at No. 1, but I have to take into account club football as well, and right now he is still a bit inconsistant. Fourteen goals in 26 matches are still decent numbers, but not as impressive as his record with PSV, Barca or Inter. Explosive over 10 meters, he still instills fear in any defender. However, he has missed a few easy chances and his confidence is not back at 100 percent yet. When it gets there, he will be at the top of the world again.

5. Robert Pires

Nationality: French Club: Arsenal Age: 30

I am very happy that Pires was able to recover completely from the serious knee injury which kept him out of the World Cup. This guy is amazing on the ball. He twists, turns, jolts, stutters and manouevres his way past defenders like they aren't even there. Definitely one of the top attacking midfielders in the world. For the goals he creates, and the important ones he scores too. He has 10 goals in 18 league games this year!

6. Luis Figo

Nationality: Portuguese Club: Real Madrid Age: 30

Two years ago, I would have put Figo at No. 1. When he moved from Barcelona to Real Madrid, he was the best player in the world. Just magical. However, after some ankle problems, he struggled to re-discover his top form and had to endure a miserable World Cup. Now that he has improved physically, he is close to his best again, although I feel he has lost a step or two in pace. Still, if you ask me, Figo is the best crosser of the ball around and in one-on-one situations, he is decisive. When the Portuguese winger is at his best, you can't stop him, you can only contain him. And the only way to do that is to foul him.

7. Alessandro Del Piero

Nationality: Italian Club: Juventus Age: 28

He may be injured right now, but before he was forced to be on the sidelines, Del Piero was having another stellar season, scoring 16 goals in 25 games across all competitions. This man has won everything there is to be won at club level and I would not be surprised if he adds more medals to his trophy cabinet in the near future. Dangerous playing up front or behind the strikers, Del Piero can score from anywhere at any time. Deadly in set piece situations, this man is a constant threat. To me it was unbelievable how he did not have a guaranteed starting spot for Italy at the World Cup

8. Raul

Nationality: Spanish Club: Real Madrid Age: 25

The first player ever to score more than 40 goals in the Champions League, Raul has always had a gift of being at the right place at the right time in the penalty area. Possessor of great skills, the Spanish international is permanently on the scoresheet. Since making his debut at the age of 17, Raul has become an idol not only for Real fans but for all Spanish football lovers. After all, he is already the country's all time leading scorer with 31 goals for the national team.

9. Francesco Totti

Nationality: Italian Club: AS Roma Age: 26

Totti=Roma. Really. When Totti plays, it seems the Italian giant always has a chance to win. When he is injured, it struggles to get anything going. This season has been a clear indication of that. With its inspirational midfielder out of action for large stretches of the campaign, Roma has won only eight of 24 Serie A matches. Most effective in a free role behind the striker, Totti has nothing to prove when it comes to creating and scoring goals. This season, he has hit the back of the net 15 times in 23 games! He has a bright future ahead of him and if he continues to develop will surely be one of the world's top players for years to come.

10. Diego Tristan

When it comes to goalscorers, there are better than him. Christian Vieri, Alan Shearer, Henry, Andryi Shevchenko, just to name a few. But as far as overall packages go, Tristan is right up there. This man has tremendous flair and can dribble his way out of any situation. He is fantastic with either foot and can score from inside our outside the area. This season he has had some problems with Deportivo manager Javier Irureta, and that has limited his playing time, but Tristan has still been able to score 17 goals in all competitions to date.