As the decade goes through we have witnessed some uttermost talents in the football world.
The world of football continues to change with new names striking a chord with the fans through their entertaining football. However, there are still many accomplished names that are still relevant today, and at times, unstoppable.
Allsportspk Spotlights the ever green players who are known for maintaining consistency in their respective performance throughout the decade.
Allsportspk Top 5 Players of the decade are:
Lionel Messi
- Position: Forward
- Age: 31
- Teams: FC Barcelona and Argentina
Messi is a gift to the football world as his skills are phenomenal and his achievements prove that he is one of the only players who defines consistency and loyalty. The facts below explain why is he exceptional and the Allsportspk Spotlight pick.
Messi’s Performance Facts
| Year | Goals |
| 2010 | 60 |
| 2011 | 59 |
| 2012 | 91 |
| 2013 | 45 |
| 2014 | 58 |
| 2015 | 52 |
| 2016 | 59 |
| 2017 | 54 |
| 2018 | 51 |
| 2019 | 50 |
- Scored 579 goals for FC Barcelona.
- Won 2 Champions League, 2 UEFA Supercups, 2 Club World Cups, 7 La Liga titles, 5 Copa Del Rey.
- Current holder of the Ballon d’Or having his 5th of the decade,
- Won the FIFA Best Player and UEFA Best player once,
- Won 6 Golden Boots Award,
- The best player of the 2014 FIFA World Cup leading Argentina to the finals. Messi has not won any major trophy with Argentina but is their top scorer,
- La Liga’s top goalscorer and has the most appearances in La Liga,
- A lso known for his magic on the field and his fair play. He has only received 2 red cards in his entire career.
Having been Barcelona’s all-time top scorer, the Argentinian has always been adulated for his quickness and sharpness as an excellent footballer and has been pinned as a magician by many football fans and pundits from all over the globe.
Cristiano Ronaldo
- Position: Forward
- Age: 34
- Teams: Real Madrid (2009-2018), Juventus (2018- Present) and Portugal
Cristiano is one of the greats of the football. He is seen as one of the most consistent players and recognized for the hard work he puts. During the decade Cristiano was absolutely sensational.
Ronaldo’s Performance Facts
| Year | Goals |
| 2010 | 48 |
| 2011 | 60 |
| 2012 | 63 |
| 2013 | 69 |
| 2014 | 61 |
| 2015 | 57 |
| 2016 | 55 |
| 2017 | 53 |
| 2018 | 49 |
| 2019 | 39 |
- He netted 553 goals,
- Despite his extraordinary stats he had a lot of silverware winning 4 Champions League in which 3 were consecutive, 3 UEFA Supercups, 3 FIFA Club, WorldCups, 2 La Liga titles, 2 Copa Del Rey titles with Real Madrid.
- Cristiano joined Juventus in 2018 where he won the Serie A title and Supercoppa Italiana,
- Cristiano won 2016 Euro and 2019 Nations league with Portugal,
- Cristiano had 4 Ballon d’Ors this decade,
- Two FIFA best players and 3 UEFA players of the year awards, 4 Golden Boots Award,
- His immense speed and eye of the goal make him UEFA Champions League Top goalscorer with 127 goals,
- Most international Hat Tricks (9) for Portugal.
Andres Iniesta
- Position: Central Midfielder
- Age: 35
- Teams: FC Barcelona (2002-2018); Vissel Kobe(2018 – Present) and Spain
There are no significant adjectives in mind when throwing light upon the extremely illustrious life and career of Spanish’s greatest, Andres Iniesta.
Although now retired, but this decade Iniesta was the icon of the midfielders. Iniesta was known for his gamevision passing and accuracy.
Andres Iniesta Performance Facts
| Appearances | Goals | Assist |
| 861 | 83 | 169 |
- Ineista won 2 UEFA Champions League, Super cup, FIFA Club World Cup,
- 8 Laliga and 5 Copa Del Rey.
- Won the 2008 and 2012 Euro,
- Won the 2010 FIFA World Cup with Spain, in which he scored the only goal of the World cup final,
- Iniesta won the UEFA Best player award and was also nominated once for Ballon d’Or once.
- Iniesta is considered the best due to his adaptation with the teams and his magical runs he used to take in FC Barcelona. Iniesta is now retired but his performances were of the very top class in this decade which would make people fall in love with his style of offensive play.
Sergio Ramos
- Position: Centre Back
- Age: 33
- Teams: Real Madrid and Spain
Sergio Ramos is considered the direct successor of the legendary defender Paolo Maldini. Being the toughest defender this decade, he is also famous for his 92 minute 48 second equalizer against Atletico Madrid in 2014 UEFA Champions League final which lead to Real Madrid’s well known La decima. Known for his tackling and ball recoveries and also for his attacking skills like shooting and headers. Besides his defensive skills, Sergio has a good goal scoring ratio more than any other defender.
Sergio Ramos is now the captain of Real Madrid and also Spain. Plus he has the record of most appearances for Spain.
Sergio Ramos Defensive Performance Facts
| Interception | Tackles | Clearences |
| 1.3 per game | 1.5 per game | 3.2 per game |
- Won 4 UEFA Champions League, 3 Supercups,
- 4 World Cups, 2 La liga and Copa Del Rey titles,
- Won the FIFA World Cup 2010 and two Euro 2008 and 2012 with Spain.
Giangluigi Buffon
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Age: 41
- Teams: Juventus and Italy
There’s no way you can address the best goalkeepers in the world without mentioning the name of Gianluigi Buffon. He is known for his crucial saves!
Buffon is the only Goalkeeper ever to:
- Win UEFA Best Player Award
- Also won 7 Serie A titles with Juventus,
- Played in 2 UEFA Champions League finals and also played in the 2012 Euro Final.
If statistics and records are anything to take into consideration, then Gianluigi Buffon may very well be the greatest modern-day goalkeeper that ever lived.
Buffon at 41, still amazes the world showing that age is just a number and will still play strive this season with Juventus to finally achieve his Champions League dream.
