The Greatest Footballers Of The Last 15yrs A-Z

The following list showcases some of the greatest names to ever play the game of football in the past 15 years. This is just my opinion obviously some would disagree with these choices, enjoy and feel free to comment.

Also for slides B and U there were not any decent players to pick from so I had no choice but to go with the surnames of these players.

2: Alessandro Nesta

3: Alessandro Del Piero

Without a doubt one of Serie A's greatest Gems, Shevchenko was one of those players who was just a natural goal scorer, he found it fairly to drift in and out from his marker allowing guys like Kaka and Pirlo to feed him the ball for perfect execution

He Is AC Milan's second all time goal scorer behind Gunner Nordahl. He is also the third highest goal scorer in European football with 64 goals. Even though his name was tarnished when he joined Chelsea a few years ago he will still be admired and remembered for his natural footballing skills.

He currently plays his football for Dynamo Kiev, a team in which he started his carrer for, he has scored over 50 goals for them in all competitions, this year Shevchenko will mark out his return to the Champions League as he takes Dynamo Kiev to the group stages later this month.

2: Bastian Schweinsteiger

3: Barthez

Buffon is regarded as Italy's, Juventus's and the world's greatest Goal Keeper today. At 28 years of age Buffon has accomplished a lot in his career, he has won Serie A on four occasions, The World Cup in 2006 and the Italian Cup twice.

2: Christian Vieri

3: Cafu

You don't have to be a fan to no how great Ronaldo is and what influence he has on football around the world. I feel that anyone who makes a guess apperance in the Simpsons, even if it is for one second is definitely a true power celebrity.

Ronaldo is known around the world for his tricks, shooting ability and good looks. When he played for Manchester United he helped them achieve the double by winning both the Premier League and the Champions League. He was voted the PFA player two years running, he is also the only player to have played in the EPL to achieve this.

He currently plays for boyhood team, Real Madrid, after he transfered from Manchester United for 80 million Pounds.

2: David Beckham

3: Didier Drogba

Bergkamp signed for Arsenal in 1995, and it was under manager Arsene Wenger he played his best football.Dennis won three Premier League Titles and four FA Cup winners medals.He retired in 2006 having scored 120 goals in 423 games for the Gunners.

One of the great football playmakers the game has seen.His superb passing , skillful free kicks and decisive scoring instinct made the Dutch international the star what he is today. Bergkamp captained Arsenal to there first ever Champions League final, however they fell short after Barcelona scored two quick goals, thus shattering the dreams of every Gunner in the world.

2: Esteban Cambiasso

3: Edwin Van Der Sar

Cantona was a huge star for United during the mid 90's, he was known as a goal scorer for the Red Devils but also a inspiring captain, as he lead United to the Premier League Cup during the 1996/1997 season. 

2: Fernando Torres

3: Filipo Inzaghi 

Lampard has definitely cemented himself in Football as one of the greatest midfielder in the world. he has scored over 100 goals for the blues and he is still going strong. he was won many honors with the Blues such as the Premier League, FA Cup and Community Shield. 

2: Geo Franco Zola

3: Gilberto Silva

Batistuta is one of Argentina's and Serie A greatest strikers in the world. He is regarded by many as the greatest to ever set foot in a football pitch, he is considered a GOD in Florence, where he captained Fiorentina to some success, he also is noted for staying with Fiorentina after they got relegated into Division 2, he stayed with the club and helped them regain Serie A recognition. 

Batistuta is the 7th all time goal scorer in Italy and he is the highest goal scorer for Argentina nationally. Batistuta left Fiorentina for Roma in transfer fee believed to be 70 billion lire, during his time at Roma he finally achieved success as he won the Scuedetto, for the first time in his illustrious career.

Batistuta also holds the record for scoring 2 hat tricks at 2 consecutive world cups.

2: Henrik Larsson

3: Hernan Crespo

Hakan Sukur is Turkeys most prominent figure, he has scored over 100 goals for Galatasaray, he also hold the record for the fastest goal in a world cup. 

2: Ian Wright

3: Ivan Cordaba

Iker is the current captain of Spain and Real Madrid, he has won many trophies and honours with each team, such as the La Liga championship, the World Cup, The Euro and the Champions League.

2: Juan Riquelme

3: Juninho

For me Javier Zanetti is one of Serie A greatest captain, he has lead Inter Milan to several championships, he is known for his versatility and willingness to do anything for his club.

Normally noted as a LB, Zanetti is able to advance his roles to CMF, LWF, CB etc, however with such a powerful defensive team that Inter have at their disposals, Zanetti now a days just usually spends his time at the left.

Zanetti went onto win the treble last season as he won the Italian League, Italian Cup and the Champions League.

he is currently 36 years of age, and he is stronger now then he ever was, Inter Milan's main problem now is not whether they can find themselves a suitable REPLACEMENT but can they find themselves a better captain. 

2: Keane

Regarded once as the greatest footballer on the planet, Kaka was a deadly player, he rose through the ranks and became one of Milan's most charismatic and energetic players of all time. His display against Liverpool during the 2007 Champions League, where he showed the world just how valuable a player he is.

Some say that Kaka is not the player he once was ever since he joined Real Madrid. Kaka to me needs a team with the right balance and flow, at the time Milan provided this for him, now there is to much power, and politics at the Madrid camp.

I hope Kaka manages to find his form that he once showcased to the world. 

2: Luis Figo

3: Lillian Thuram

Messi is currently the worlds greatest player. He is regarded by some as the modern Maradona. Messi is only 23 years of age yet he has scored over 100 goals for Barcelona in all competitions.  He has become such an instrumental part of Barcelona's team that with all the talent they have, they sometimes need to rely on the skill and ability of Messi to win a game.

2: Maicon

3: Michael Ballack

A very flamboyant and enthusiastic striker, he was known for his lavishing runs through the defense and his skillful finishes.  Owen was truly in a league of his own during the prime of his career. He currently sits behind Robbie Fowler as LFC top goal scorer in the EPL. 

2: Nuno Gomes

3: Neymar

Anelka firstly established his career in the EPL, when he played for the newly appointed Arsene Wenger's Arsenal. He won both the FA CUP and ELP in his first season with the club.

Anelka has become one of the most prolific goal scorers of our generation, he has hit well over 100 goals in the EPL, and he is still going strong, he currently plays for Celsea FC, on his first season he came the top goal scorer for the club.

2: Oliver Bierhoff

3: Ole Gunner Solskjaer

Oliver Kahn has become Germany's and Bayern Munich most beloved and talented goal keeper in the modern game today. He has won many honours and chapionships during his football career, such as the Bundesliga, champions League etc. 

2: Patrick Viera

3: Pavel Nedved

Maldini is a retired footballer who played the majority of his career for Milan and Italy as CB.

Maldini has won the Champions League a record 5 times with Milan most recently in 2007, when Milan got there revenge as they defeated Liverpool 2-1. He has been captain for Milan for over 10 years.

 Fortune found fortune as he signed for Manchester united from Madrid during the 1999 season. During his time at the club he was regarded as a great asset for the tea, especially as they required his skills and abilities, while others were recovering from injuries. He won the intercontinental Cup and the FA Cup with united during his 5 year stint with club.

It was because of his time spent with united, that he helped South Africa quality for the 2002 world cup, although they got knocked out after the group stages it was a great achievement for Baffana Baffana.

2: Roberto Baggio

3: Rivaldo

For me Ronaldo has become synonymous to football. He was a huge figure for the sport during the 90's as Brazil became known as the power country of football again when the likes of Ronaldo, Rivaldo and others lifted the cup in 2002 and reached the finals in 1998.

He has become the highest goal scorer in World Cup competitions, Ronaldo has played for a handful of clubs during his career such as Intermilan, Real Madrid, AC Milan and of course Barcelona. 

2: Samuel Eto'o

2: Steve McManaman

Gerrard has become Liverpool FC most beloved player in the last 15 years of the clubs history. Generally a central midfielder, however since the arrival of Torres he has become a Secondary Striker, whose job it is to assist Torres in scoring goals, in the 2008/2009 season Torres and Gerrard became a dominate force, rattling the very fabric of the EPL, they scored more the 50 goals between them.

Gerrard is the current skipper of the Club, he has made over 300 appearences for the club and has socred over 100 goals for the team in all competitions. He is hailed as the come Back Kid due to his ability to surge the team foward as seen in both the FA Cup and Champions League FInal where Liverpool were facing defeat from there opposition however he managed to secure 2 victories from both games.

2: Tony Adams

3: Terry Sheringham 

Thierry Henry is for me the greatest player to ever grace the EPL, he had a perfect team to go along with his special skills, when combined they became one of the most deadliest combos of all time. 

Henry has scored over 200 goals for Arsenal, he is the second all time goal scorer in the EPL behind Alan Shearer. 

The reason why I felt henry should be number one as oppose to the rest was because unlike the others he had the ability to do more with the ball i.e. set pieces, dribbling, finishing and curling. Alongside Denis Bergkamp they became one of the deadliest pairs in the EPL, Henry was part of the Invincible team that went unbeaten in 49 games. 

Henry departure from Arsenal, has left the club in shock, however with the likes of Walcott and others finally finding form it wont be long before Arsenal become the threat they once was.

Could not think of anyone else with a U

Valdez has become one of Barcelona's most prized assets, as he too the team to win several major trophies such as the La Liga and Champions League. There is no reason as to why Valdez won't make a suitable first choice keeper for iker when he decided to hang up his gloves.

2: Wesley Sneijder

3: Walter Samuel

Wayne Rooney is one of the EPL most promising stars, he has become United top scorer for the past two seasons, when the likes of Tevez and Ronaldo played alongside Rooney, they became known as the untouchables as they powered through the opposition with deadly effect.

At only 24 years of age Rooney has already scored 90 goals for united  in 190 appearance surely a United Legend in the making. 

2: Xabi Alonso

At the moment Xavi is considered as the greatest playmaker in the game today. if not for Xavi Messi would not be the force that he is today. Xavi is a genius when it comes to football. He has the ability to create brilliant crosses and passes to players. For a small guy he is able to get through the defense with ease. 

2: Yossi Benayoun

Could not think of anyone better with Y

2: Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zidane has played football for all the big teams in the world excluding the EPL, he was most noted for playing with Juventus and Real Madrid. 

Zidane was part f the revolutionary France Team that won the 199 world cup and the 2002 Euro's, he captained the side to the 2006 finals however he was sent of before the final whistle as he had a altercation with Materazzi, He is also noted for scring the best goal in the Champions League.