Redcafe's best players in the world - Voting.

1.Messi
2.Cristiano
3.Suárez
4.Modric
5.Bale
6.Neymar
7.Lewandowski
8.Busquets
9.Iniesta
10.Griezmann
 
1. Neymar
2. Messi
3. Zlatan
4. Ronaldo
5. Aguero
6. De Gea
7. Iniesta
8. Suarez
9. Lewandowski
10. Douglas Costa
 
1. Messi
2. Ronaldo
3. Suarez
4. Griezmann
5. Neymar
6. Bale
7. Lewandowski
8. DDG
9. Aguero
10. Iniesta
 
Have you posted your list?

Voila:

Top 10 enablers

Messi - untouchable. Creates space by simply binding two opposing players whenever he has the ball. Best final pass in the game, even better than Ozil.
KDB - hugely influential. City just fell apart while he was gone and magically sprung back to life as soon as he was back.
DDG - The main reason for United to have a fairly successful season despite scoring as little as they have, worth 15 to 20 points this season and best goalie this year beyond doubt.
Koke - creates an insane amount of chances and assists and combines it with an awesome workrate. 24 years old. Ozil on steroids. He should be on top of United's shopping list.
Lahm - doesn't lose balls and superb decision-making. World-class fullback, midfielder and winger, tactical genius.
Busquets - it's like having an extra player on the pitch, covers huge ground and keeps Barca's line up of wizards from being overrun defensively.
Kroos - boring as f$ck but his ability to spray the ball with laser precision makes opposing teams run extra miles all night. Won 2 CL's and 1 World Cup in the last 4 years. No coincidence.
Godin - the centerpiece of an impenetrable wall. responsible for a ridiculous amount of clean sheets this season. Atletico was the best team in 2016 and he played a huge part.
Kante - The main reason for Leicester pulling off one of the greatest stunts in football history. Incredible at winning balls and initiating counters.
Iniesta - As discussed at length in several Iniesta vs - threads

Honorable mention:
Ozil - who played an incredible half season, Arsenal were nowhere without him.
 
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1. Messi
2. Neymar
3. Suarez
4. Ronaldo
5. Modric
6. Mahrez
7. Lewandowski
8. Griezmann
9. Kane
10. Kante
 
The amount of people not including Modric is very surprising imo - he is easily one of the best midfielders in world football.

My list would be something like this:

1. Messi
2. Suarez
3. Neymar
4. Ronaldo
5. Modric
6. Iniesta
7. Zlatan
8. Aguero
9. Muller
10. Bale
 
Last edited:
Messi
Ronaldo
Suarez
Neymar
Zlatan
Iniesta
Aguero
Bale
Sergio Ramos
Modric
 
So many people have Suarez up top - for me it's an indication that people pay more attention to stats than overall play. He hasn't even been on the same level to Messi, Neymar and daresay Don Andres/ Busquets.

Sure he's scored a bucket load, but in that team, any good striker would.
 
Messi
Ronaldo
Suarez
Ibrahimovic
Neymar
Iniesta
De Gea
Neuer
Boateng
Modric
 
So many people have Suarez up top - for me it's an indication that people pay more attention to stats than overall play. He hasn't even been on the same level to Messi, Neymar and daresay Don Andres/ Busquets.

Sure he's scored a bucket load, but in that team, any good striker would.
In that case let's just write off Messi and Ronaldo's goalscoring feats over the last 7-8 years. Anyone would do it.

Also it's mental to claim Suarez hasn't been at the level of Iniesta. One good final has skewed people's opinions. On a week in week out basis, Iniesta isn't a top top player anymore. Suarez is at least the second best player in the world right now.
 
In no particular order.

1 .Messi
2. Suarez
3. Ronaldo
4. De Gea
5. Bale
6. Modric
7. Neymar
8. Ibrahimovich
9. Aguero
10. Griezmann
 
In that case let's just write off Messi and Ronaldo's goalscoring feats over the last 7-8 years. Anyone would do it.

Also it's mental to claim Suarez hasn't been at the level of Iniesta. One good final has skewed people's opinions. On a week in week out basis, Iniesta isn't a top top player anymore. Suarez is at least the second best player in the world right now.

Suarez is not even the second best player at Barcelona. If you watch Barca often, you'd see that he's technically inferior to both Messi and Neymar, and you'll see many moves break down because the Uruguayan is not on the same wavelength as the other two. He offers grit and a never die attitude, but he's not as fundamental to Barca as Neymar and Messi.

As for Iniesta, he is the definition of a big game player. He's the guy to rise to the occasion and perform on the big matches - he (and Xavi) dominated in the CL final in 2009, 2011, 2015, in the WC Final 2010, the EC Final 2012 (vs Italy) etc. This season need to look at the 4-0 match with Madrid where he was far and above the most influential Barca player, or the match with Seville. Iniesta is fundamental to Barcelona, if you don't understand that, you don't understand football.
 
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
2. Lionel Messi
3. Luis Suarez
4. Neymar
5. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
6. Paul Pogba
7. Sergio Ramos
8. David De Gea
9. Thiago Silva
10. Gareth Bale
 
Suarez is not even the second best player at Barcelona. If you watch Barca often, you'd see that he's technically inferior to both Messi and Neymar, and you'll see many moves break down because the Uruguayan is not on the same wavelength as the other two. He offers grit and a never die attitude, but he's not as fundamental to Barca as Neymar and Messi.

As for Iniesta, he is the definition of a big game player. He's the guy to rise to the occasion and perform on the big matches - he (and Xavi) dominated in the CL final in 2009, 2011, 2015, in the WC Final 2010, the EC Final 2012 (vs Italy) etc. This season need to look at the 4-0 match with Madrid where he was far and above the most influential Barca player, or the match with Seville. Iniesta is fundamental to Barcelona, if you don't understand that, you don't understand football.
Yeah, it has to be a case of him not understanding football. No chance that maybe, just maybe, Suarez is in fact better than Iniesta now.
 
1. Messi
2. Suarez
3. Ronaldo
4. Lewandwoski
5. Griezmann
6. Müller
7. Koke
8. Özil
9. Modric
10. Busquets

Since it's on current ability Neymar doesn't make the list for me. He's been wank since January. I have no idea how anyone can put him in a top 10 ahead of Suarez based on recent showings. If he recovers he's top 5 material but right now his only saving grace would be the first half of the season, which isn't enough considering other players played on a very high level while beeing far more consistent.
 
1. Messi
2. Suarez
3. Ronaldo
4. Lewandwoski
5. Griezmann
6. Müller
7. Koke
8. Özil
9. Modric
10. Busquets

Since it's on current ability Neymar doesn't make the list for me. He's been wank since January. I have no idea how anyone can put him in a top 10 ahead of Suarez based on recent showings. If he recovers he's top 5 material but right now his only saving grace would be the first half of the season, which isn't enough considering other players played on a very high level while beeing far more consistent.

Surely what you're describing is current form rather than current ability?
 
1. Ronaldo
2. Messi
3. Suarez
4. Neymar
5. De Gea
6. Lewandowski
7. Griezman
8. Modric
9. Bale
10. Ramos

Ramos because as much as people hate him- he shines in the important games and also he can make Pepe look like a defender
 
Was Ramos actually great in the final? Because his goal was offside. Apart from that was he better than Godin?
 
1. Messi
2. Suarez
3. Ronaldo
4. Ibrahimovic
5. Aguero
6. T. Silva
7. Muller
8. Lahm
9. Bale
10. Busquets
 
So many people have Suarez up top - for me it's an indication that people pay more attention to stats than overall play. He hasn't even been on the same level to Messi, Neymar and daresay Don Andres/ Busquets.

Sure he's scored a bucket load, but in that team, any good striker would.
I think that you haven't seen him play. Neymar has been atrocious for half a season, and Suarez has not only been outscoring Messi, but has been performing fantastically well in all of the big matches. Of course, someone might opt for Messi (considering that Messi offers more) but I think that Suarez has been the better player this season. Neymar doesn't even come close to them.
 
1. Messi
2. Ronaldo
3. Suarez
4. Neymar
5. Aguero
6. Griezmann
7. Bale
8. Lewandowski
9. Modric
10. De Bruyne :drool:
 
1. Luis Suarez
2. Lione Messi
3. Cristiano Ronaldo
4. Paul Pogba
5. Robert Lewandowski
6. Antoine Griezmann
7. Riyad Marhez
8. David De Gea
9. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
10. Kevin De Bruyne
 
I think that you haven't seen him play. Neymar has been atrocious for half a season, and Suarez has not only been outscoring Messi, but has been performing fantastically well in all of the big matches. Of course, someone might opt for Messi (considering that Messi offers more) but I think that Suarez has been the better player this season. Neymar doesn't even come close to them.
This. Even if you were just basing it on Suarez's goalscoring alone this season, that's enough. He's been unreal, and the manner of some of his finishes, the confidence and ease with which he takes them, he's raised the standard for goalscoring.
 
This. Even if you were just basing it on Suarez's goalscoring alone this season, that's enough. He's been unreal, and the manner of some of his finishes, the confidence and ease with which he takes them, he's raised the standard for goalscoring.
Yep. I also think that he has a ridiculous number of assists which shows that he gives more than just putting the ball in the net.

If he wasn't an ex-Scouser who racially abused Evra, I think that he would have won this poll easily.
 
Suarez was definitely better than Iniesta last season. If the Balon D'or was handed out right now, he would deserve it IMO.
 
Yep. I also think that he has a ridiculous number of assists which shows that he gives more than just putting the ball in the net.

If he wasn't an ex-Scouser who racially abused Evra, I think that he would have won this poll easily.

Not really. "List the ten best players in the world, based on their current ability. Not ability in the past, but as of the start of upcoming 2016/2017 season." That isn't the same as "who showed the best form last season". Messi is still a better player than Suarez, so he should be topping this poll every time.
 
Not really. "List the ten best players in the world, based on their current ability. Not ability in the past, but as of the start of upcoming 2016/2017 season." That isn't the same as "who showed the best form last season". Messi is still a better player than Suarez, so he should be topping this poll every time.
In what aspect he is better? As in he had a better career? Obviously, yes. But Suarez has been playing better than him for around a year now. In addition, this isn't just form. Suarez has been improving each year for the last few years, even in last season he was extremely good in the big matches (better than Messi IMO), and this season he has outplayed Messi. Messi peaked a few years ago, and despite that he is still a great player and the best on the world in his best day, it has been a slight decrease in his game IMO.

In my opinion, Suarez will be better than Messi next year too, and should win the Ballon D'Or in January. However, likely Ronaldo will win it.
 
Suarez is not even the second best player at Barcelona. If you watch Barca often, you'd see that he's technically inferior to both Messi and Neymar, and you'll see many moves break down because the Uruguayan is not on the same wavelength as the other two. He offers grit and a never die attitude, but he's not as fundamental to Barca as Neymar and Messi.

As for Iniesta, he is the definition of a big game player. He's the guy to rise to the occasion and perform on the big matches - he (and Xavi) dominated in the CL final in 2009, 2011, 2015, in the WC Final 2010, the EC Final 2012 (vs Italy) etc. This season need to look at the 4-0 match with Madrid where he was far and above the most influential Barca player, or the match with Seville. Iniesta is fundamental to Barcelona, if you don't understand that, you don't understand football.
It's pretty evident that you haven't been watching Barcelona regularly over the last two seasons. Last season Messi was the king, and Suarez was the second best player of the MSN combination because his more mature and well rounded game compared to Neymar. This season Suarez has been the best player on the planet. I've only gone for Messi because he influences games in many more ways than anyone else. Neymar had a storming start to the season, but has been poor in the second half with Suarez clearly the better player for a year and a half now.

It's funny because had you actually been watching Barca regularly you'd know that Neymar is the one from that trio who on an off day is likely to mess up moves, with Messi and Suarez being their best two players.

And while Iniesta is still a great player when in form, and as he showed recently, still terrific in big cup games, as an overall footballer, he isn't the force he once was. Barca's midfield has over the last two seasons had spells of being poor leading to an over reliance on the front three. If anyone is the true gem of that midfield week in week out, it is busquets. But the best way to put it is that Modric is now the best CM in the world and Iniesta isn't as good as him.
 
In what aspect he is better? As in he had a better career? Obviously, yes. But Suarez has been playing better than him for around a year now. In addition, this isn't just form. Suarez has been improving each year for the last few years, even in last season he was extremely good in the big matches (better than Messi IMO), and this season he has outplayed Messi. Messi peaked a few years ago, and despite that he is still a great player and the best on the world in his best day, it has been a slight decrease in his game IMO.

In my opinion, Suarez will be better than Messi next year too, and should win the Ballon D'Or in January. However, likely Ronaldo will win it.

Okay, so you actually do think Suarez is a better player than Messi. Fair enough.

I don't think that would be the majority opinion anywhere though, not just among anti-Suarez United fans. Most people would still have Messi as (by some distance) the best player on the planet.
 
In what aspect he is better? As in he had a better career? Obviously, yes. But Suarez has been playing better than him for around a year now. In addition, this isn't just form. Suarez has been improving each year for the last few years, even in last season he was extremely good in the big matches (better than Messi IMO), and this season he has outplayed Messi. Messi peaked a few years ago, and despite that he is still a great player and the best on the world in his best day, it has been a slight decrease in his game IMO.

In my opinion, Suarez will be better than Messi next year too, and should win the Ballon D'Or in January. However, likely Ronaldo will win it.
Suarez will win the Ballon Dor. He's been the best player of 15/16 and has two trophies to show for it. Unless messi or Ronaldo seriously outshine him from here on , I can't see how anyone but Suarez winning it can be justified.
 
Suarez was definitely better than Iniesta last season. If the Balon D'or was handed out right now, he would deserve it IMO.
Yup. He could well win it regardless, but it might depend on how some big players (Griezmann, Ronaldo, Pogba, etc) perform at the Euro's.
 
Yup. He could well win it regardless, but it might depend on how some big players (Griezmann, Ronaldo, Pogba, etc) perform at the Euro's.
Suarez might be fit in time to win the copa as well.
 
1. Suarez
2. DDG
3. Messi
4. Griezemann
5. Ronaldo
6. Muller
7. Neymar
8. Ibra
9. Neymar
10. Martial
 
Suarez will win the Ballon Dor. He's been the best player of 15/16 and has two trophies to show for it. Unless messi or Ronaldo seriously outshine him from here on , I can't see how anyone but Suarez winning it can be justified.
UCL counts more than the league/cup, and since Ballon D'Or is FIFA Ballon D'Or, the popularity of the player counts more. People will look at the number of goals Ronaldo scored, and how he had a great final (despite that he was poor on the final, but that would be forgotten after people will watch a hundred times the last penalty) and vote for him. Of course, something might depend on the Euros, but then Suarez won't be in Copa America.

I really would like to see Suarez win it. I don't like him for the things he has done during his time as a Liverpool player, but to go at a team that has 2 our of the three best players in the world (with one of them being arguably the GOAT) and outperforming them deserves a lot of respect. I think that he really deserves to win it, despite him being a cnut. And it would be good to see RoMessi supremacy going to an end after they won the last 8 Ballon D'Ors (in 7 occasions the runner up being one of them too).
 
Yup. He could well win it regardless, but it might depend on how some big players (Griezmann, Ronaldo, Pogba, etc) perform at the Euro's.
September, October and November will also be important, but yes, if a player has a strong tournament this summer then it will give them a great chance.
 
UCL counts more than the league/cup, and since Ballon D'Or is FIFA Ballon D'Or, the popularity of the player counts more. People will look at the number of goals Ronaldo scored, and how he had a great final (despite that he was poor on the final, but that would be forgotten after people will watch a hundred times the last penalty) and vote for him. Of course, something might depend on the Euros, but then Suarez won't be in Copa America.

I really would like to see Suarez win it. I don't like him for the things he has done during his time as a Liverpool player, but to go at a team that has 2 our of the three best players in the world (with one of them being arguably the GOAT) and outperforming them deserves a lot of respect. I think that he really deserves to win it, despite him being a cnut. And it would be good to see RoMessi supremacy going to an end after they won the last 8 Ballon D'Ors (in 7 occasions the runner up being one of them too).
That would be a weird decision. Doubt anyone can keep a straight face while saying Madrid with that draw winning the CL is a tougher achievement than winning the Spanish double. And from what I read, Ronaldo was awful in the final. It would confirm it as being a pure popularity contest.

The award is pointless if it's not going to the best player. Suarez week in week out over the course of the whole season was clearly the best footballer.
 
That would be a weird decision. Doubt anyone can keep a straight face while saying Madrid with that draw winning the CL is a tougher achievement than winning the Spanish double. And from what I read, Ronaldo was awful in the final.

The award is pointless if it's not going to the best player. Suarez week in week out over the course of the whole season was clearly the best footballer.
Winning UCL is a bigger achievement than winning the league + the domestic Cup.

Agree with the rest of the post though.

To Ronaldo's defense, he was again injured for the final but yep, he was very poor on it (same as 2 years ago).