Top 5 entertaining players in world football
Antonio Cassano – Parma
The former Roma and Real Madrid attacker is one of the most naturally gifted players in the world and is a joy to watch. Often seen skipping past players and playing the final ball to create chances that strikers love, he and Giampaolo Pazzini are the sole reasons why Sampdoria managed to make it to the Champions League in 2010. Now at Parma, with the likes of Jaime Valdes and former Italy international Amauri, a Europa League spot is highly possible. Cassano has it all to do to make the Italy squad for the 2014 World Cup though, as he may be one of the best attacking midfielders Italy have at their disposal, a fall-out with Cesare Prandelli after EURO 2012 means that he may not be selected for international duty until Prandelli leaves his post.
Arjen Robben – Bayern Munich
Dutch winger Arjen Robben is widely criticised for not always turning up when his team needs him most, but when he does, like in the 2013 Champions League final, you are usually in for something special. After spells at Chelsea and Real Madrid, Robben seems to have finally found his home in Bavaria and has created the best wing partnership in the world with French International Franck Ribery. It wasn’t clear if the former PSV Eindhoven man would fit into Pep Guardiola’s style, but with 6 goals and 2 assists in 12 games this season, those doubts have been quashed, as he now looks better than ever.
Sergio Aguero – Manchester City
Argentine striker Sergio Aguero seems to be having his best season yet, and part of that has got to be down to new manager Manuel Pellegrini, who plays a Spanish style, and with him being so successful at Atletico Madrid and with Argentina, he will be thriving in an environment that most City players will be only starting to adapt to. When he gets the ball at an awkward angle in the box, you immediately wonder if he will try to get past a defender or two and tap the ball in or smash it in the far corner. Both have become common sights at the Etihad, in particular his goals against Newcastle and Chelsea have been special and have showed his wonderful goal scoring ability.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic – Paris Saint Germain
Arguably the best striker of his generation, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has won with every club he has been at. Rising to prominence with Ajax, he was snapped up by Juventus, who then sold him to Inter during the Calciopoli years. He then moved on to Barcelona, then AC Milan and now Paris Saint Germain. With height, strength, skill, control, ability in the air and also incredibly athletic, Ibrahimovic is on paper, the perfect striker. Though he doesn’t always live up to the hype, his sensational individual performance against England in which the Swedes won 4-2, he grabbed all 4 with the last now being something of a legend.
Lionel Messi – Barcelona
The current best player in the world and the best of his generation, Messi has been blessed with pace, trickery, control, finishing and passing ability. He isn’t always at his brilliant best as we have seen lately, but when a goal drought for someone is 3 games, you know exactly what people expect. His goal against Real Madrid in the 2011 Champions League semi-final was supernatural while his individual performance in the 4-0 win over AC Milan last season was jaw-dropping. Whether you see a lot of Messi as a Barcelona fan, or like me you just enjoy watching a brilliant player rewrite the history books, you are rarely disappointed.