11 moments of Messi magic that show why he's the best footballer in the world

The Argentinean striker Lionel Messi is loved by almost everyone in the world of football, such is his astonishing skill, game-winning abilities and general love for the game. Here are a few of his best moments that illustrate why he's the best player in world football – equal with Cristiano Ronaldo.

1) Those goals – like this cracker into the top corner...

2) The assists – such as this fine through-ball to Iniesta...

3) The skills – close ball control followed by an incisive pass...

4) His exquisite touch that makes him so hard to dispossess...

5) His range of passing, with assist after assist...

6) Winning matches with shots like this...

7) Winning hearts...

8) Just winning… with Barcelona or Argentina. Favourites for the Champions League?

9) Heck, have another goal – a swerving free-kick this time...

10) And more Messi magic: see ya later, Nani...

11) World player of the y… wait a second… who's this who running into the ring with a steel chair in his hand?! Why it's…

Is Messi the best player in the world, Cristiano?

How Ronaldinho amazed us on the football pitch...

Ronaldo de Assis Moreira better known as Ronaldinho was the best player on the planet in 2005. He may not have boasted the most fight and willingness to run for the team, but he sure made up for it with that dazzling close control, vision and audacious dribbling. And that razzle dazzle has made him the most pleasurable player to watch of any era of the game. 

Here are some of the big man's finest moments. Take it away, the magician from Porto Alegre...

This little drag back through the legs was from his three year spell at AC Milan.
Then there was this outrageous pass...

Why bother passing it forward (the way you're looking) when you can just hook it back with a flick of the heel. Class.

How many defenders have been thrown the wrong way with the old flip-flap move...

And he could take the odd free-kick. What a player. He could even casually knock the ball airwards like so to pass it to a ball boy or throw-in taker....

Are we likely to see such an entertainer again? Well, it looks like his heir is in place already at Camp Nou... Step forward Neymar.

Costly kids – the best European youth footballing talents

Forget English Sterling, these top Euro wonderkids would cost loads of dosh the way they're playing

Paco Alcacer, 21, Valencia

With the faltering Fernando Torres now dropped from Spain's squad, the former World Champions have replaced him with in-form Valencia hitman Paco Alcacer. The Spanish pocket rocket has not only banged in four goals in 8 matches in La Liga this season, but has also scored three times for the national team too. Si, senor!

Mateo Kovacic, 20, Inter

This young Croatian midfield schemer is an integral part of the Inter Milan engine room. He's smashed in two goals so far this season, while his 2.3 key passes per game puts him in the top 10 players in Italy, and his 3.7 dribbles per game is bettered by only two other players in Serie A!

Abdul Rahman Baba, 20, Augsburg

The marauding left-back already has three assists in Germany's top division to his name – despite playing at the back for mid-table Augsburg. He's also captain of the Ghana Under 20s, with his average of five tackles per game the best in the Bundesliga! No wonder several Premier League clubs have been reported as watching him… 

Memphis Depay, 20, PSV Eindhoven

The Dutch winger with a shot like a cannon has carried on from where he left off at the World Cup, when he scored two goals for Holland. He's already walloped in five strikes in five league appearances this season. His average of 4.8 shots per game is the highest in the Dutch Eredivisie, and he also has one cheeky assist.

Aymeric Laporte, 20, Athletic Club

Zut alors! French centre-back Aymeric Laporte is said to be interesting Barcelona after impressing in Spain's top division this year. He leads the league in interceptions, despite only being 20, while his 2.9 average tackles per game put him among the top defenders in La Liga too. A France Under 21 player, he's destined for big things!

[Of players under 21; stats from WhoScored.com on 23/10/14]