1. Carlos Tevez (Argentina)
Carlos Tevez (born February 5, 1984) is an Argentine footballer who played as a forward. Known for his relentless energy and remarkable goal-scoring ability, Tevez began his career at Boca Juniors, where he helped the club win the Copa Libertadores and Intercontinental Cup in 2003 before moving to Corinthians, where he secured the Brasileiro title. In 2006, he made a move to West Ham United, playing a key role in keeping the club in the Premier League during his only season there. The transfer deals of Tevez to West Ham and later to Manchester United were controversial due to third-party ownership issues with Media Sports Investment, prompting changes in Premier League and FIFA transfer regulations. In 2007, he joined Manchester United, where he won two Premier League titles and the 2008 UEFA Champions League. In 2009, Tevez transferred to Manchester City for £47 million, becoming the first player to move directly between the two Manchester clubs since Terry Cooke in 1999. Despite missing the first four months of the 2011-2012 season due to a dispute, Tevez returned to help Manchester City clinch the Premier League title, ending a 44-year wait. In 2013, he moved to Juventus for £12 million, becoming the club's top scorer and winning the Scudetto in his first season. Throughout his career in England, Tevez won three Premier League titles, becoming a vital figure at West Ham, Manchester United, and Manchester City, where he spearheaded the attack for a significant period.
Tevez's achievements with Manchester United
Tevez was once the captain of Manchester City2. Gilberto Silva (Brazil)
Gilberto Silva (born October 7, 1976, in Lagoa da Prata, Minas Gerais) is a retired Brazilian footballer, widely known for his role as a defensive midfielder. Growing up in a poor family, he balanced playing football with various jobs in his youth. He began his professional career in 1997 with América Mineiro and later moved to Atlético Mineiro in 2000, where he became a standout player, winning the Brasileiro title three times. In August 2002, he made the move to Arsenal for a transfer fee of around €4.5 million. During his time with the Gunners, he helped the club win the 2004 Premier League title and two FA Cups. Over five seasons at Arsenal, he played 208 matches and scored 23 goals. On August 19, 2006, Gilberto scored the first-ever goal for Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. In the same year, he was appointed vice-captain and played for the club until June 2008. Internationally, Gilberto made his debut for Brazil in November 2001 against Bolivia. He was a key figure in Brazil's World Cup-winning team in 2002, playing all seven matches after stepping in for the injured Emerson. His excellent performances helped Brazil lift the trophy with a 2-0 win over Germany in the final. Gilberto Silva was an essential part of Arsenal's unbeaten 2003-2004 Premier League campaign. As the first South American defensive midfielder to make an impact in England, he not only excelled at breaking up opposition attacks but was also known for his ability to initiate attacking play from deep. His work ethic and consistency made him a vital player for both Arsenal and Brazil throughout his career in England.
Gilberto Silva was a key defensive midfielder at Arsenal
Gilberto Silva3. Nolberto Solano (Peru)
Nolberto Solano (born December 12, 1974), commonly known as Nobby Solano, is a retired Peruvian professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He currently serves as the assistant director of the Peru national football team and is also the manager of the Peru Olympic football team. Solano was known for his precise crosses, perfect tackling skills, and his ability to play both as a right midfielder and a right-back throughout his career. He spent the majority of his footballing life in the Premier League, particularly with Newcastle United, where he became the first Peruvian to play in the league and featured in an FA Cup final. Solano was adored by Newcastle fans and became a club legend, also gaining attention for his musical talents, including forming his own salsa band called The Geordie Latinos. He humorously referred to himself as a “Geordie by adoption.” Back in Peru, he became a household name and was even featured on his wedding live on national TV. Solano earned 95 caps for the Peru national team from 1994 to 2009. His dribbling skills and pace made him a standout in English football, where he played from 1998 to 2008, representing clubs like Newcastle, Aston Villa, and West Ham. Solano was particularly effective on the right wing, known for his ability to create opportunities with incisive runs and his expertise in set pieces, making his free kicks a potent weapon in his arsenal.
Nolberto Solano played for several clubs in England
Nolberto SolanoJuninho, born January 30, 1975, is considered the first Brazilian footballer to make a significant impact in the Premier League. The diminutive midfielder amazed English fans with his remarkable dribbling skills, often gliding past opponents effortlessly. Unlike many of his fellow Brazilians, Juninho's game was based on speed rather than intricate footwork. This made him a key player for Middlesbrough, rising to prominence in the late 1990s as one of the league's top stars. Antônio Augusto Ribeiro Reis Júnior, known as Juninho or Juninho Pernambucano, is a retired Brazilian footballer who played as a midfielder and is now the technical director of Olympique Lyonnais. Widely regarded as the greatest free-kick taker of all time, Juninho holds the record for the most direct free-kick goals, having scored 77 throughout his career. He began his professional journey in 1993 with Sport Recife in Brazil before moving to Vasco da Gama, where he played over 100 matches and won several major titles. In 2001, he joined Lyon in France’s Ligue 1, where he won seven consecutive league titles and scored 100 goals in 350 appearances. After leaving Lyon in 2009, Juninho spent time playing in Qatar with Al-Gharafa and in the U.S. with New York Red Bulls before retiring at Vasco in 2013. He made his debut for Brazil in 1999, earning 40 caps and scoring six goals. Juninho participated in the 2001 Copa América and the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup, retiring from international duty after the 2006 World Cup. Since 2013, he has worked as a commentator for Brazil’s Rede Globo TV network.
Juninho was a cornerstone for Middlesbrough
Juninho: A Boro Icon5. Philippe Coutinho (Brazil)
Philippe Coutinho's move to Liverpool marked a new chapter for the Brazilian talent, who had struggled to find his place at Inter Milan. Fast forward, and Coutinho became one of the Premier League's most influential creative players. He became essential to Liverpool's success, often delivering stunning goals from long distances with remarkable precision. Born on June 12, 1992, Philippe Coutinho Correia is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays as an attacking midfielder, winger, or forward for Barcelona and the Brazil national team. He began his career at Vasco da Gama before moving to Inter Milan and being loaned to Espanyol in 2012. In 2013, he signed with Liverpool for €8.5 million. Known for his vision, dribbling skills, and playmaking, Liverpool fans fondly dubbed him "Little Magician." Pelé even hailed Coutinho as a future star of global football after he was included in the PFA Team of the Year. In January 2018, Coutinho made a high-profile move to Barcelona for a club-record fee of €160 million, making him the second-most expensive player at the time. At Barcelona, he claimed two La Liga titles before being loaned to Bayern Munich in the 2019-2020 season, where he helped secure a historic treble, including the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and UEFA Champions League.
Coutinho's move to Liverpool: A brilliant choice
Philippe Coutinho6. Javier Mascherano (Argentina)
Javier Mascherano was a key player for both West Ham and Liverpool in the Premier League. Joining West Ham alongside Carlos Tévez, the Argentine midfielder played a pivotal role in helping the club avoid relegation. From 2007 to 2010, after moving to Liverpool, Mascherano established himself as one of the league's best defensive midfielders. His fierce tackling and excellent game reading skills made him a standout performer. Born on July 8, 1984, Javier Alejandro Mascherano is a former Argentine footballer who played primarily as a defensive midfielder or center-back. He started his career at River Plate and won his first title in the 2003-2004 season, securing the Argentine Primera División. Mascherano also earned an Olympic gold medal at the 2004 Athens Games and finished as a runner-up in the 2004 Copa América. In 2005, he moved to Brazil and won the Campeonato Brasileiro with Corinthians in his debut season. Mascherano later moved to Europe, where he played for West Ham in the Premier League before joining Liverpool on loan in early 2007. Two of his most common nicknames in Argentina were "Masche" and "El Jefecito." Former Argentine footballers Jorge Valdano and Jorge Solari praised him as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. Mascherano officially retired from international football on November 16, 2020, after a 21-year professional career.
The Argentine midfielder enjoyed an impressive spell in England
Javier MascheranoWhile not always in the spotlight, Willian is the type of player every team needs. With his tireless work ethic, safe ball-handling style, and superb free-kick abilities, he brings a steady influence to the pitch. Last season, when Eden Hazard's performance dipped, Willian rose to the occasion, becoming a key player in Chelsea's attack. Although he doesn't start regularly under manager Antonio Conte, every time he steps onto the field, he proves his worth and continues to contribute to the team. Willian Borges da Silva, born on August 9, 1988, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a winger and attacking midfielder for Arsenal and the Brazil national team. He began his career in Brazil at Corinthians before moving to Shakhtar Donetsk in August 2007 for a transfer fee of $19 million. In January 2013, he joined Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala, and just seven months later, he signed with Chelsea for £30 million. Over his seven years at Chelsea, Willian won two Premier League titles, one FA Cup, and a UEFA Europa League. In August 2020, after his contract expired with Chelsea, Willian joined Arsenal. He made his debut for Brazil in November 2011 and represented the country at the 2014 World Cup, the 2015 Copa América, Copa América Centenario, the 2018 World Cup, and the 2019 Copa América.
Willian excelled during his time at Chelsea
WillianLuis Alberto Suárez Díaz, born on January 24, 1987, in Salto, Uruguay, is a striker for Atlético Madrid and the Uruguay national football team. During his time at Ajax, he primarily played as a second striker behind Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and later Marko Pantelić. When Martin Jol became the manager at Ajax, Suarez was appointed captain, taking over from Thomas Vermaelen. In 2010, he was named the Dutch Footballer of the Year and ended the season as the top scorer with 35 goals (49 in all competitions). That same year, Suarez joined the list of players who scored more than 100 goals for Ajax, joining legends such as Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten, and Dennis Bergkamp. On January 28, 2011, Ajax accepted Liverpool's transfer offer of £22.8 million (€26.5 million), and Suarez officially joined the club on January 31. On July 11, 2014, Liverpool confirmed that Suarez had transferred to Barcelona for a fee of $111 million (£81.72 million). On September 24, 2020, he joined Atlético Madrid for €6 million. Suarez made his debut for Liverpool on February 2 against Stoke City at Anfield, coming on as a substitute for Fábio Aurélio and scoring his first goal just 15 minutes later to seal a 2-0 victory. Suarez's impressive form at Liverpool raised expectations that he would become one of the best strikers in the world, and by the end of the 2011-2012 Premier League season, he had scored six goals in the competition and 10 in all competitions. Known for his relentless energy and cunning play, Suarez was frequently included in the team of the season. Despite controversies, such as his involvement in the 2011 match against Manchester United, Suarez was recognized by Liverpool fans as the club's best-ever striker in the Premier League era, surpassing names like Ian Rush, Robbie Fowler, and Michael Owen. His time at Liverpool saw him rise to global prominence, with his dribbling skills and sharp instinct in the box making him an icon at Anfield.
Suarez's unforgettable spell at Liverpool
Luis Suarez9. Sergio Aguero (Argentina)
Sergio Agüero was born on June 2, 1988, in Quilmes, Buenos Aires. He is an Argentine footballer who plays as a forward for La Liga's Barcelona and the Argentina national team. His nickname, Kum Kum, came from his classmates who thought his hair resembled a character from the Japanese manga "Kum Kum." Aguero made his debut in the Argentine Primera División with Independiente at just 15 years and 35 days old (on July 7, 2003, against Club Atlético San Lorenzo), setting a record as the youngest player to compete in Argentina's top tier, surpassing the legendary Diego Maradona. Aguero has been crucial to Manchester City's success in the Premier League, helping them secure two titles in the 2011-2012 and 2013-2014 seasons. Since joining the Etihad Stadium, he has been an unstoppable force, consistently competing for the top scorer title. Aguero is also the Premier League's highest goal scorer over the past five seasons and has become a nightmare for goalkeepers across England.
Aguero demonstrated his talent while playing for Manchester City
Sergio Aguero10. Alexis Sanchez (Chile)
Alexis Sánchez was born on December 19, 1988, and is a Chilean footballer who currently plays as a forward for Inter Milan and the Chile national team. After a promising first season at Cobreloa, Sánchez was signed by Udinese Calcio in Italy in 2006. Following successful loan spells at Colo-Colo and River Plate, he made his mark in Serie A. In 2011, Sánchez transferred to Barcelona for a record $43 million, making him the most expensive Chilean player at the time. Three years later, he joined Arsenal.
Sánchez has been a key figure for the Chilean national team since 2006, earning over 100 caps and representing his country in two FIFA World Cups (2010 and 2014) and four Copa America tournaments (2011, 2015, 2016, and 2019), winning the 2015 and 2016 Copa America titles. Since joining Arsenal in 2014, Sánchez has been a consistent performer. While he couldn’t help the Gunners secure a Premier League title, he has been a standout figure in English football. Sánchez is now considered the heart of Arsenal’s attack, contributing as both a leading goal scorer and a top assister in the Premier League this season. However, ongoing contract renewal negotiations have yet to reach a resolution.
Sanchez’s peak years with Arsenal
Alexis Sanchez
Buzz
