Top Five European Soccer Players

Jul 11, 2008

David Beckham is not the only European soccer player that's got major game! Kidzworld ranks the top five Euro players including Christiano Ronaldo!

#5. Petr Cech

Czech-born Petr Cech is easily the best goalie in Europe. Aside from playing for the Czech National Team, this 26-year-old goalie also plays for Chelsea. He holds numerous records including the English Premiership record for not allowing a goal in over 1000 minutes! Despite being injured the past few years, he remains the top goalie in the sport and will only get better as time goes on!

#4. Fernando Torres

Fernando Torres, aka "The Kid", is an electrifying striker for Liverpool. The Spanish-born player played his first six professional seasons with Atletico Madrid, where he scored 75 goals. Now a superstar for Liverpool, he became the first player to score more than 20 league goals for the club in a season since Robbie Fowler did it in 1996. This year he also led his native Spain to the European Championships. He has proven that he can turn a game with his clutch scoring ability. At just 24 -years-old, he is a name you will continue hearing for the next 10 years!

#3. Michael Ballack

For over 13 years, Michael Ballack has consistently been one of the top talents in Europe. This German-born player has been dominating the past two years as a member of the English powerhouse Chelsea. He led Chelsea to the Champions League Final. Ballack is a dangerous shooter and passer and one of the best headers in the world. This midfielder is also the captain of the German National Team that made it to the final of Euro 2008.

#2. Thierry Henry

If you are a goalie, you better be scared when you see Thierry Henry's face. This lightning-quick Frenchman, can score in a variety of ways and can create shots for other teammates. Currently a striker for the French National Team as well as FC Barcelona, Henry has been dominating the Euro League for the past decade. He was twice named the PFA Players' Player of the Year and the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year three times. As a member of Arsenal F.C. for eight years, Henry has 174 career goals and was the FA Premier League's top scorer four times. The 30-year-old Henry is also an advocate against racism in soccer.

#1. Cristiano Ronaldo

Right now, Cristiano Ronaldo is probably the best soccer player on the entire planet. This Portuguese football player currently stars for European superpower Manchester United. He had an outstanding 2008 season - scoring over 40 goals from midfield. He holds the joint Premier League record for most goals scored in a 38-game season. For two straight years, this right winger has won the FWA Footballer of the Year and the English PFA Player of the Year. At just 23-years-old, Ronaldo has the best years ahead of him and has the chance to become one of the best players the game has ever seen!