30. Francesco Totti
There are few more iconic one-club men than Totti, who rejected the lure of brighter lights (and better teams) to spend his entire career with Roma. And make no mistake: Il Bimbo de Oro could have played for any side in the world at his peak.
Whether as a second striker or a false nine, Totti was both a creator and converter of chances. He won his only Serie A title under Fabio Capello in 2001 and started all but one game as Italy won the 2006 World Cup.
29. Didier Drogba
Didier Drogba scored goals in 10 cup finals for Chelsea: the man was essentially a cheat code when it came to the big occasion.
The Ivorian was simply the complete striker, capable of holding play up and outmuscling defenders. He set the Premier League alight with his introduction and almost single-handedly made Chelsea favourites in every showpiece event.
28. Carles Puyol
In some ways Puyol looked out of a place in Barcelona and Spain teams that prized technical quality above all else. Yet his aggression, tenacity and rugged style of defending were welcomed by sides who otherwise lacked physicality.
Puyol was by no means a bad footballer, but it was his leadership, work ethic and never-say-die attitude that made him a regular during two Champions League triumphs and a victorious Euro 2008 campaign.
27. Andrea Pirlo
Pirlo wasn't strong, quick or athletic, but that scarcely mattered. The non-bearded Italian (the facial hair came later) played the game at his own pace - and so did everyone else, such was his ability to control the tempo.
The deep-lying playmaker had every type of pass in his locker. Strolling around the pitch with effortless grace, Pirlo pulled the strings during AC Milan's two Champions League victories, and for his country as they won the World Cup in Germany.
26. David Beckham
Beckham is such a transcendent figure that it's easy to forget just how good a footballer he was. Arguably the greatest crosser of the ball in history, he was also an elite passer with bold conception and pinpoint execution.
Beckham possessed the drive and determination to ensure his various off-field interests never became a distraction. Manchester United and Real Madrid fans certainly valued his combination of craft and graft.
25. Iker Casillas
Casillas was only 18 years old on 1 December 2000, but he was already Real Madrid's first-choice goalkeeper. He kept hold of the No.1 jersey throughout a hugely successful decade which brought the Spaniard four La Liga titles, two Champions Leagues and a winner's medal from Euro 2008.
What Casillas lacked in height - the Madrid legend was only just 6 foot - he more than made up for in agility. A master shot-stopper with astonishingly quick reflexes, Casillas regularly performed miracles between the sticks.
24. Rivaldo
The fact Rivaldo ascended to the top of the world game while barely touching the ball with his right foot shows just how good he was on his left side.
A remarkably skilful player, Rivaldo began the decade with a phenomenal 36-goal campaign for Barcelona, which included perhaps the greatest hat-trick of all time on the final day. His infamous dive against Turkey overshadowed his brilliant displays at the 2002 World Cup, before the temperamental genius helped AC Milan win the Champions League a year later.
23. Alessandro Nesta
Elegance is a quality usually attributed to attacking players, but Nesta had it in abundance. Calm in possession and deceptively quick across the ground, his anticipation skills were such that he sensed danger before it appeared. Nesta didn't so much put out fires as confiscate the matches.
A two-time Champions League winner with AC Milan, the centre-back was also part of the Italy squad that triumphed at the 2006 World Cup.
22. Claude Makelele
"Why put another layer of gold paint on the Bentley when you’re losing the entire engine?" huffed Zinedine Zidane when Real Madrid sold Claude Makelele in 2003.
Their loss was Chelsea's gain. The Frenchman was a mainstay as Jose Mourinho's side won back-to-back Premier League titles, patrolling in front of the defence and breaking up play with a mix of brains and brawn. Soon every club wanted someone in the 'Makelele role'.
21. Ashley Cole
Of England's golden generation, perhaps only Cole was genuinely the best in the world in his position. He didn't always get the love he deserved, but the left-back was a model of consistency throughout his career.
Cole began the decade as an attack-minded flier who constantly made overlapping runs outside Arsenal's Robert Pires. He honed his defensive skills at Chelsea, winning a third Premier League title and regularly shackling some of the world's best wingers.
