Goal.com’s top four players are Leo Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta, placing the three candidates for the Ballon d’Or back at the top of the footballing elite. “It is a pride and honour to win the Top-50 ” said Messi to the website. “I am very happy and it gives me the strength to keep humbly working for my team and my beloved country.”

This is the fourth edition of the award. Cristiano Ronaldo won in 2007/08, the Argentinian in 2008/09, Sneijder in 2009/10 and Messi again this year.

Eleven of FCB in Top-50

Apart from Messi (1), Xavi (3) and Iniesta (4), the other eight Barça players in the Top-50 published by goal.com are Alexis (7), on the basis of his great season at Udinese, Piqué (13), Alves, (20), Villa (22), Busquets (29), Puyol (37), Cesc (45) and Valdés (46). No other club has such representation.