Player of the decade.

[Viola Star]

Who is the player of the decade?

[Gmak]

Ronaldinho

[Antonio81]

I'd go with Zidane.

Euro 2000
His tenure at Real Madrid
WC 2006

Let the flaming begin...

[Viola Star]

Longevity has a lot to do with it. Zidane retired in 2006. Plus,
he was an overrated muppet.

[KumarsS]

It would be impossible to justify most of these picks over the others but I'll go with Titi Henry.

I do think that Lampard, Makelele and Ballack deserve mentions as well.

[Antonio81]

Zidane wouldn't have won many other decades other than 2000-2009, and even including him here is a bit of a stretch, but there was a huge lack of talent compared to earlier decades.

[Teso Dos Bichos]

Ronaldinho

I'd go with Zidane.

Their peak years lasted for two/three years each before they declined and, in the case of Zidane, retired. They have not done enough to merit the title of player or the decade.

[schafer]

Zidane wouldn't have won many other decades other than 2000-2009, and even including him here is a bit of a stretch, but there was a huge lack of talent compared to earlier decades.

That's certainly the impression I get looking at this list. There really hasn't been a player who's been head and shoulders above the rest for any extended period of time. I don't think I"d give it to Zidane though.

Edit: Maybe Totti? Although he had a poor Euro 2004 and had that untimely injury before the 06 World Cup he's been very good for Roma in that time period.

Nesta's another one but with all his injuries...

Shevchenko took himself out of the running with his time at Chelsea, unfortunately.

Editx2: Ferdinand, perhaps? I think he'd be in there ahead of Gerrard personally. Although the 8 month ban might hurt his rating.

[Moishe]

As much debate as it may bring, I feel Juan Roman Riquelme deserves inclusion in this discussion. Between 2000 and 2007 he has won three Copa Libertadores, One Intertoto, four Argentine league torneos, an Intercontinental, a Recopa Sudamericana, Argentine player of the year three times, a Copa Libertadores MVP and a South American Player of the Year.

For some perspective, while at Villarreal in eleven less matches than Ronaldinho he had the same amount of gols as Ronaldinho with a much less talented side. Even with his awful form these days due to injury and fatigue, his influence is still noticeable when he's not playing. Food for thought.

[Bronaldo]

As much debate as it may bring, I feel Juan Roman Riquelme deserves inclusion in this discussion. Between 2000 and 2007 he has won three Copa Libertadores, One Intertoto, four Argentine league torneos, an Intercontinental, a Recopa Sudamericana, Argentine player of the year three times, a Copa Libertadores MVP and a South American Player of the Year.

For some perspective, while at Villarreal in eleven less matches than Ronaldinho he had the same amount of gols as Ronaldinho with a much less talented side. Even with his awful form these days due to injury and fatigue, his influence is still noticeable when he's not playing. Food for thought.

I agree with most of this.

From the players above, i'm voting for Raul.

[z187 Portugal]

cristiano ronaldo should be on the list.

[YooAhJin]

Ronaldinho has been the most popular and marketed this decade, I'd say Thierry Henry for what he did for the EPL, but Zidane has had more influence for the French. Its been a decade of 2 halves for me, with the first 5 years dominated by players from La Liga(Dinho,Zidane,Fenomeno Ronaldo,Figo,Eto'o)and Serie A(Shevchenko, Nesta, Nedved,Del Piero Batistuta,Totti) then after the 2006 world cup players from the EPL took over(C. Ronaldo, Drogba, Terry, Gerrard, Torres, Fabregas,Tevez). I'd put Messi for the next decade, though its too early to say that.

[schafer]

I agree with most of this.

From the players above, i'm voting for Raul.

He had a couple of very poor years by potential player of the decade standards though. You think he's done enough in the other years to make up for that?

[Bronaldo]

He had a couple of very poor years by potential player of the decade standards though. You think he's done enough in the other years to make up for that?

Raul or Riquelme?

I think Raul has done just as much as everyone on that list. I think this past decade has a lot of players that are very good and there is very little between any of them.

[schafer]

Raul or Riquelme?

My bad. Raul.

I think Raul has done just as much as everyone on that list. I think this past decade has a lot of players that are very good and there is very little between any of them.

Fair enough.

[Viola Star]

What players did I forget? Ollie Kahn maybe?

[Bronaldo]

Nedved should be there
Figo as well
Bergkamp

[Karloski]

Makelele.

[Viola Star]

Nedved should be there
Figo as well
Bergkamp
Bergkamp retired ages ago.
Figo is too old.

[Bronaldo]

Bergkamp retired ages ago.
Figo is too old.

Bergkamp retired in 05, no?

Zidane retired before Figo and is mentioned

Edit: NVM, disregard this post and my last one.