25. Steven Gerrard – Liverpool and England
If as expected the Reds win the league this year then their captain will not only have completed an impressive trophy haul at Anfield, but will also be largely to thank for achieving it.
24. Mats Hummels – Borussia Dortmund and Germany
Bayern must be ruing the day they allowed Hummels to leave for the Signal Iduna Park as the centre-back is now one of the best in his position in the world.
23. Andrea Pirlo – Juventus and Italy
Now 34-years-old Pirlo is proving that class doesn’t fade and that playing as a deeplying playmaker can extend a career beyond when most would be expected to retire.
22. Bastian Schweinsteiger – Bayern Munich and Germany
Is a stalwart for both club and country and like many of his teammates is very versatile and can be just as influential in defence as when pushing forward in attack.
21. Cesc Fabregas – Barcelona and Spain
Has had a tough season at the Nou Camp and has even been booed by his own fans, but their are few better creative forces in midfield and Fabregas is even used as a false nine by Luis Aragones.
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