Times' world’s top footballers

Steven Gerrard comes in the top ten at number seven while Jamie Carragher (32) is also in the list. But strangely not Pepe Reina nor Xavi Alonso. Not even Javier Mascherano.

But injury plagued Gary Neville (50) is in it. So is England’s ‘wonder-boy’ Wayne Rooney (11). There are also other familiar names such as Kaka (1), Lionel Messi (9), Ronaldinho (2), Clarence Seedorf (49), David Beckham (34) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (17).

And then some unheard or less popular names such as “Lucho” Gonzalez (39), Rodrigo Palacio (46), Diego (45) and Sergio Ramos (13).

And then there are 36 other players, to make it to the Times of London’s Top 50 footballers in the world today.

Gabriele Marcotti picks the best players on the planet on this basis:

“I couldn’t even have begun to compile such a list without basic criteria.

So here they are: imagine you are the manager of a totally new team. You have a certain budget to spend, but first you get one freebie, one guy to build your team around. You get him only for one season, the 2007-08 campaign, so you want to go for who can do the best job for you here and now, without worrying how good he can be down the line. Who would you choose? Who would your “ringer” be? Have a look at all at my selection…

Do you agree? Check out his list here.