5 of the Best

The European football season is drawing to a climax. Over the course of the season, there have been many players who have caught the eye with some scintillating performances for their respective teams. Some are the usual suspects while there a few new kids who have exploded onto the scene. Here are 5 of my picks.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Without doubt the Outstanding footballer in Europe this season. A sure bet for the Footballer of the Year award in England for the 2nd straight year and if he leads Portugal to glory in the European Championships in the Summer, the European Player of the Year and the World Player of the Year awards beckon. He has illuminated fans with some breathtaking performances for Manchester United and i dare say has single handedly taken Manchester United to the top of the EPL with 33 goals this season. A staggering goal return considering the fact that he is not an Out and Out striker. Defences have been torn to shreds, goalkeepers just have had no answer to the unique brand of free kicks of this portuguese magician. Footballers usually do not hit peak form till 26 or 27 years of age. If he can produce form like this at 23 , one can only imagine what he would be at the peak of his powers. Frightening thought for defenders indeed.

Karim Benzema

Relatively unknown to footballing world before this season, he has made the entire football fraternity take notice of his wonderful ability this season with 26 league goals in the French First Division for club Olympique Lyonnais (Lyon in short). He is touted next big thing in French Football and is tipped for greatness following in the footsteps of his illustrious compatriots,
Henry,Zidane and Platini. A product of the Olympique Lyonnais youth academy, he is equipped with a combination of raw physical strength coupled with exquisite ball skills that has made him such a nightmare for defences in not just the French League but in the European Champions League. Versatility is the main strength for this young forward who is adapt at peforming in all forward positions, either as an out and out striker or in the left or the right wing. At 20 he is already a regular in the french national setup keeping out the likes of the more accomplished David Trezeguet from the team. These qualities have alerted major European Clubs who are willing to break the bank to land one of the hottest properties in European and World Football.


Lionel Messi

The next Diego Maradona, he is labelled. Tough footsteps to follow but who can argue with these comparisons. Aged 19 and already the 2nd best footballer in the world behind the brillinat brazalian Kaka, he is a regular starter in the Barcelona team in the Spanish League, he has become the fulcrum or the heartbeat of the team even eclipsing more established stars like the great Ronaldinho, Deco, Eto and Henry. Blessed with blistering pace and phenomenal ball skills, Messi has left opponents for dead with his artistry with the ball. So who can question the comparisons made with the kegendary Diego Maradona who has himself declared Messi as his heir apparent.

Cesc Fabregas

Another extremely gifted footballer to really make an impact this season with his club Arsenal. Just 19,Fàbregas functions mostly as a playmaker and his main asset is his passing range. As one of the most coveted young talents in the game today, he has been described as being a vital part of Arsenal's first team, bringing vision, creativity and selflessness to Arsenal's intricate passing game, and displaying maturity that belies his age.In set pieces, he is one of the first-choice coner kick and free kick takers in the team. Also a regular in the Spanish national team, he is seen as key to Spain's chances of glory in the European Cup during the summer.

Francesco Totti

The grand old man in my list at 31, the great italian has battled back from below par performances in recent seasons to regain his best form this season and was just recently voted the Italian Footballer of the Year for the record 5th time scoring 27 goals for his club side Roma in the Italian Serie A who are still in the running for the Italian Championship and have qualified for the quarter finals of the Champions League due to Totti's brilliant form. His performances not just for his club but also for Italy is seen as key to success in the European Cup during the summer of 2008. Brilliant on the ball with a keen eye for the killer pass, defences have been bamboozled by the sheer accuracy of his passing and sharpness in front of goal. My tip to be nominated as one of the top 3 footballers in Europe for 2008.

Well folks these 5 wonderful footballers have really made an impact in view this season. If anyone has another players in mind, do drop a comment. Thats it for now, keep watching this space for more.

Ciao for now
Sporty Shank