After many hours of (sometimes heated) debates from staff over 3 continents, here is the annual Premier Sports Memorabilia list of the top 100 players of 2014.
It was hard to split Ronaldo and Messi once again in 2014. Ronaldo’s European Champions League triumph pushed him over the line in the continuing battle between these two modern legends.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo, Winger, Real Madrid and Portugal
At this moment in time, the Real Madrid forward just pips past Lionel Messi. He seems to be getting better and better every year and at 29 years of age is in the peak of his career. Having won 2 Champions League titles with two different clubs, Cristiano went for a world record £80,000,000 fee at the time from Manchester United to Real Madrid in 2009.
Related product: Cristiano Ronaldo Signed Real Madrid Shirt
2. Lionel Messi, Forward, Barcelona and Argentina
Can seem like a magician on the football pitch with his mesmerising feet dazzling defenders. He has the ability to glue the ball to his feet and can seem untouchable at times. His style of play fits the Barcelona system where he has been ever since he was a teenager. Has recently surpassed the all-time goal scorer of La Liga and at the age of just 27, it is frightening to think what Lionel will finish on.
Related product: Lionel Messi Signed Barcelona Shirt
3. Manuel Neuer, Goalkeeper, Bayern Munich and Germany
The 2014 World Cup winning goalkeeper has recently been shortlisted in the top 3 for the Ballon d’Or, a sensational achievement for a goalkeeper. His confidence at the back often sees him act as the 11th outfielder and it is an accident waiting to happen but his ability as a footballer enables him to pull off risky manoeuvres. Just 28 years of age and has another decade playing at the very top level.
Related product: Bayern Munich Signed Champions League Winners 2013 Shirt
4. Gareth Bale, Winger, Real Madrid and Wales
The best ever player to come out of Wales is the Real Madrid winger. He recently eclipsed the world record transfer fee with a £86,000,000 move to Madrid from Tottenham. His left foot is an absolute wand and his pace enables him to leave defenders clutching thin air. Having initially struggled at Tottenham following a move from Southampton, the Welshman has come on leaps and bounds in the past few years.
Related product: Gareth Bale Signed Real Madrid Shirt 2015
5. Philipp Lahm, Defender, Bayern Munich and Germany
Germany’s captain continued his development in 2014 under the guidance of tika-taka founding father Pep Guardiola. Between leading Germany to World Cup glory and dominating with Bayern Munich domestically, Lahm continued to show his versatility and leadership and proved to all that he is the complete modern football player. He also had more touched the ball more than any other player (1040) in the 2014 Champions League.
Related product: Bayern Munich Signed Champions League Winners 2013 Shirt
6. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Forward, PSG and Sweden
The 6’5 centre forward has played for Europe’s most prestigious clubs including: Barcelona, Juventus, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Ajax and finally PSG. 318 goals in 590 games in all competitions is evident proof of his goal scoring prowess and is a very controversial character. He has won a staggering 10 league titles with his first coming with Ajax in 2002. From 2004-2011 he won league titles in every season.
Related product: PSG Signed Squad Shirt 2015
7. Eden Hazard, Winger, Chelsea and Belgium
Chelsea’s Eden Hazard has the potential to challenge the likes of Messi and Ronaldo at the top if his displays in the Premier League continue to be consistently high. Of a very similar stature of Messi but is a little more direct than the Argentine. At 23 years of age, the Belgian winger has a very bright future.
Related product: Chelsea Signed Squad Shirt 2015
8. Sergio Aguero, Forward, Manchester City and Argentina
A born goal scorer and scored one of the most historic moments in the Premier League with a dramatic injury time goal that clinched Manchester City’s first ever title. Averages just over a goal every other game after 426 career appearances and at just 26 years of age, wouldn’t be surprising if one of the Spanish giants gave him an offer he couldn’t refuse.
9. Luis Suarez, Forward, Barcelona and Uruguay
His position on the leaderboard could be slightly higher if it wasn’t for his eratic behaviour at times. He has had three individual biting incidents which have ruled him with sizeable suspensions that have casted a shadow over his undoubted ability as a footballer. Was part of the Uruguay side to finish 3rd in the 2010 World Cup and his trickery and ball skills in the penalty box is one of the best in the world.
Related product: Barcelona Signed Squad Shirt 2015
10. Neymar, Forward, Barcelona and Brazil
Was linked with a move to Europe ever since he became a hit for Santos in his native Brazil and elected to join Barcelona. Had a stumbling start but has come on immensely in the past 12 months to back up the claims he could become the closest player to rival Pele as the best ever from Brazil. Forms a lethal trio alongside Messi and Suarez in Europe’s most feared strike force.
Related product: Neymar Signed Barcelona Shirt
11. Angel di Maria, Winger, Manchester United and Argentina
12. James Rodriguez, Midfield, Real Madrid and Colombia
13. Wayne Rooney, Forward, Manchester United and England
Related product: Manchester United Signed 2013 Champions Shirt
14. Thibaut Courtois, Goalkeeper, Chelsea and Belgium
Related product: Chelsea Signed Squad Shirt 2015
15. Andrea Pirlo, Midfield, Juventus and Italy
Related product: Juventus Signed Squad Shirt 2014
16. Toni Kroos, Midfield, Real Madrid and Germany
17. Thomas Muller, Forward, Bayern Munich and Germany
Related product: Bayern Munich Signed Champions League Winners 2013 Shirt
18. Diego Costa, Forward, Chelsea and Spain
Related product: Chelsea Signed Squad Shirt 2015
19. Karim Benzema, Forward, Real Madrid and France
20. Carlos Tevez, Forward, Juventus and Argentina
Related product: Juventus Signed Squad Shirt 2014
21. Andres Iniesta, Midfield, Barcelona and Spain
22. Luka Modric, Midfield, Real Madrid and Croatia
23. Cesc Fabregas, Midfield, Chelsea and Spain
24. Sergio Ramos, Defender, Real Madrid and Spain
25. Vincent Kompany, Defender, Manchester City and Belgium
26. Robert Lewandowski, Forward, Bayern Munich and Poland
27. Mario Gotze, Midfield, Bayern Munich and Germany
Related product: Bayern Munich Signed Champions League Winners 2013 Shirt
28. Arjen Robben, Winger, Bayern Munich and Holland
29. Frank Ribery, Winger, Bayern Munich and France
Related product: Bayern Munich Signed Champions League Winners 2013 Shirt
30. Xavi, Midfield, Barcelona and Spain
31. Yaya Toure, Midfield, Manchester City and Ivory Coast
32. Radamel Falcao, Forward, Manchester United and Colombia
33. Hulk, Forward, Zenit St.Petersburg and Brazil
34. Juan Cuadrado, Winger, Fiorentina and Colombia
35. Paul Pogba, Midfield, Juventus and France
36. Isco, Midfield, Real Madrid and Spain
37. Bastian Schweinsteiger, Midfield, Bayern Munich and Germany
38. Hugo Lloris, Goalkeeper, Tottenham and France
39. Miralem Pjanic Roma and Bosnia-Herzegovina
40. David Silva, Midfield, Manchester City and Spain
41. Giorgio Chiellini, Defender, Juventus and Italy
42. Gonzalo Higuain, Forward, Napoli and Argentina
Related product: Napoli Diego Maradona Signed Jersey
43. Thiago Silva, Defender, PSG and Brazil
44. Jordi Alba, Defender, Barcelona and Spain
45. Raphael Varane, Defender, Real Madrid and France
46. Mats Hummels, Defender, Borussia Dortmund and Germany
47. Xabi Alonso, Midfield, Real Madrid and Spain
48. Gianluigi Buffon, Goalkeeper, Juventus and Italy
49. Edinson Cavani, Forward, PSG and Uruguay
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50. Juan Mata, Midfield, Manchester United and Spain
51. Antoine Griezmann, Winger, Atletico Madrid and France
52. Javier Mascherano, Defender, Barcelona and Argentina
53. Marco Reus, Forward, Borussia Dortmund and Germany
54. Koke, Midfield, Atletico Madrid and Spain
55. Arturo Vidal, Midfield, Juventus and Chile
56. Sergio Busquets, Midfield, Barcelona and Spain
57. Diego Godin, Defender, Atletico Madrid and Uruguay
58. Marcelo, Defender, Real Madrid and Brazil
59. Robin Van Persie, Forward, Manchester United and Holland
60. David de Gea, Goalkeeper, Manchester United and Spain
61. David Luiz, Defender, PSG and Brazil
62. Marek Hamsik, Midfield, Napoli and Slovakia
63. Mesut Ozil, Midfield, Arsenal and Germany
64. Nemanja Matic, Midfield, Chelsea and Serbia
65. Kevin Strootman, Midfield, Roma and Holland
66. Mario Mandzukic, Forward, Athletico Madrid and Croatia
67. Francesco Totti, Forward, Roma and Italy
68. Dani Alves, Defender, Barcelona and Brazil
69. Mehdi Benatia, Defender, Bayern Munich and Morocco
70. David Alaba, Defender, Bayern Munich and Austria
71. Ezequiel Lavezzi, Winger, PSG and Argentina
72 Arda Turan, Midfield, Atletico Madrid and Turkey
73. Jerome Boateng, Defender, Bayern Munich and Germany
74. Alexis Sanchez, Winger, Arsenal and Chile
75. Mesut Ozil, Midfield, Arsenal and Germany
76. Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Midfield, Borussia Dortmund and Armenia
77. Lucas Moura, Winger, PSG and Brazil
78. Dante, Defender, Bayern Munich and Brazil
79. Ivan Rakitic, Midfield Barcelona and Croatia
80. Raheem Sterling, Winger, Liverpool/ and England
81. Steven Gerrard, Midfield, Liverpool and England
Related product: Steven Gerrard Signed Liverpool Shirt
82. Antonio Di Natale, Forward, Udinese and Italy
83. Oscar, Midfield, Chelsea and Brazil
84. Blaise Matuidi, Midfield, PSG and France
85. Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang, Forward, Borussia Dortmund/Gabon
86. Pedro, Forward, Barcelona and Spain
87. Didier Drogba, Forward, Chelsea and Ivory Coast
88. Aaron Ramsey, Midfield, Arsenal and Wales
89. Iker Casillas, Goalkeeper, Real Madrid and Spain
90. Christian Eriksen, Midfield, Tottenham and Denmark
91. Pablo Zabaleta, Defender, Manchester City and Argentina
92. Daniele De Rossi, Midfield, Roma and Italy
93. Nemanja Vidic, Defender, Inter Milan and Serbia
94. Jackson Martinez, Forward, Porto and Colombia
95. Ilkay Gundogan, Midfield, Borussia Dortmund and Germany
93. Branis lavIvanovic, Defender, Chelsea and Serbia
94. Mario Balotelli, Forward, Liverpool and Italy
95. Cesar Azpilicueta, Defender, Chelsea and Spain
96. Leonardo Bonucci, Defender, Juventus and Italy
97. Jan Vertonghen, Defender, Tottenham and Belgium
What did you think of the Premier Sports Memorabilia top 100 soccer players of 2014?
Which players did we get wrong? Sound off below in the comments section for your chance to win a $50 Premier Sports Memorabilia gift voucher.
To celebrate the beginning of 2015, Premier Sports Memorabilia is offering a massive 20% off storewide with free international shipping on all items.
Now is your chance to secure the ultimate piece of football memorabilia from the biggest teams and players in the world including Messi, Ronaldo, Bale, Neymar, Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Bayern Munich just to name a few!
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