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Fans Rank The Top 20 Footballers Of The 2000s

Fans Rank The Top 20 Footballers Of The 2000s

Football fans have rated the best 20 players of the 21st century...

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Lionel Messi is the greatest player of the 2000s according to fans.

Football supporters over on Ranker have voted the six-time Ballon d'Or winner as the best footballer of the 21st century, ahead of his former teammate and the man who tipped him to overtake him as the top dog, Ronaldinho.

In third is the legendary, Ronaldo Nazario, the second highest-ranked Brazilian on the list, with his ex Real Madrid colleague Zinedine Zidane occupying fourth spot.

Image: PA
Image: PA

Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo will be especially displeased to see himself fifth on the star-studded list despite being the all-time top scorer in the history of the Champions League.

Image: PA
Image: PA

Thierry Henry gets in at sixth after lighting up the Premier League for Arsenal in the early 00's before lifting the treble with Barcelona alongside the mercurial Andres Iniesta, a place below in seventh.

AC Milan and Italy icon Paolo Maldini is the best defender of the 2000s according to the rankings, made even more impressive by the fact this was his third decade at the peak of European football.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Kaka complete a top ten brimming with talent and preceed legends such as Xavi, Gianluigi Buffon, Andrea Pirlo and Roberto Carlos.

Steven Gerrard finally brings a first bit of English representation to the table, two places ahead of another Three Lions' captain in David Beckham.

Image: PA
Image: PA

Iker Casillas, Didier Drogba and Luis Figo finish off the somewhat controversial list.

Here is the top 20 in full:

1. Lionel Messi

2. Ronaldinho

3. Ronaldo Nazario

4. Zinedine Zidane

5. Cristiano Ronaldo

6. Thierry Henry

7. Andres Iniesta

8. Paolo Maldini

9. Zlatan Ibrahimovic

10. Kaka

11. Xavi

12. Gianluigi Buffon

13. Andrea Pirlo

14. Roberto Carlos

15. Steven Gerrard

16. Francesco Totti

17. David Beckham

18. Iker Casillas

19. Didier Drogba

20. Luis Figo

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Football News, Ronaldinho, FC Barcelona, Football, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Kaka, Lionel Messi, Zinedine Zidane, thierry henry

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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