Editor's Picks

It was no easy feat (and disagreements will surely follow), but after collating together thousands of votes, we present to you our ranking of the best 20 male soccer players of the 21st century - and five others who just missed the list.Key accomplishments: ...

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20. Neymar

Key accomplishments: UEFA Champions League winner, two-time LaLiga winner, five-time Ligue 1 winner, FIFA Puskas Award (2011), Brazil's all-time top goal scorerThe boy prince has never quite grown into the king of the game; the World Player of the Year award, always seen as an objective, has proved elusive, and he has yet to win a major title with his country. Neymar also is widely associated with antics and excessive diving. But it would be unwise to write off his career as a complete disappointment. He has scored more goals for Brazil than anyone else - a mighty achievement - and he has produced moments of exceptional magic, especially in his time with Barcelona. And there are still further chapters to be written. - Vickery

Just missed the list

21. Andrea Pirlo

Key accomplishments: FIFA World Cup winner, two-time UEFA Champions League winner, six-time Serie A winner, three-time Serie A Footballer of the YearSo great was the Italian maestro's impact on the game that the "Pirlo role" was recognized globally as the position its namesake perfected, picking inch-perfect passes for his teammates with a nonchalance and technique that etched his name among the greatest midfielders to have played the game. - SherShah Atif

22. Wayne Rooney

Key accomplishments: Five-time English Premier League winner, UEFA Champions League winner, two-time PFA Young Player of the Year, 2004 Golden Boy Award, Premier League Hall of Fame inductee, Manchester United all-time top scorerWidely regarded as one of the most complete strikers to grace modern soccer, Rooney looked the full package upon scoring in his Premier League debut at just 16 years old. He went on to display grit, power and finishing ability over a stellar career for club and country. - Atif

23. Patrick Vieira

Key accomplishments: FIFA World Cup winner, UEFA European Championship winner, three-time English Premier League winner, four-time English FA Cup winner, five-time Serie A winner, Premier League Hall of Fame inducteeAs captain of Arsenal, Vieira's composure, leadership and fearless spirit were central to the club's unprecedented season in 2003-04, when "The Invincibles" went undefeated to lift the English Premier League title. - Atif

24. Luis Suárez

Key accomplishments: UEFA Champions League winner, four-time LaLiga winner, four-time Copa del Rey winner, Copa América winner, all-time goal scorer for UruguayA player with a knack for scoring goals, Suarez found the net wherever he went, whether that was Ajax, Liverpool, Barcelona or Atlético Madrid, making him one of the most fearsome strikers in the world during his heyday. - Atif

25. Gianluigi Buffon

Key accomplishments: FIFA World Cup winner, FIFA World Cup Golden Glove Award (2006), 10-time Serie A winner, six-time Coppa Italia winner, 13-time Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year award, most appearances in Serie A, most appearances for Italy, two-time UEFA Goalkeeper of the Year winnerThe talismanic goalkeeper enjoyed a 28-year career, and he is arguably the greatest player at his position following a trophy-laden career. That he was named the UEFA Goalkeeper of the Year at 39 years old is a testament to his ageless class. - Atif