Stats and facts show Barca’s Henry to be world’s best
The answer is none of the above. The world’s greatest is in fact Barcelona striker Thierry Henry.
That’s according to Castrol Rankings, a FIFA-endorsed analysis system, unveiled by Castrol’s global ambassador Ronaldo in Madrid yesterday.
The rankings are based on a highly advanced technology that measures every pass, every tackle and every single move of over 2,000 players and games.
And according to the rankings, the Barcelona striker is the top performing player over the last 12 months.
It represents a remarkable return to form for a player who struggled in his first season in Spain, but who now at 32 is apparently at the peak of his powers.
Analysis shows that the former Arsenal striker has outshone his club-mate Messi and Real Madrid’s Ronaldo during a year in which he helped the Catalans to a clean sweep of honours – the Champions League, La Liga and the Spanish Cup.
The French international, who is expected to line up against the Republic of ireland in next month’s World Cup play-off, scored five goals and provided three assists during Barca’s Champions League campaign and contributed a further 18 goals and eight assists in La Liga during the 12-month period.
The accuracy of his shooting is an impressive 70% compared with an average of 42% across the five main European leagues.
Messi and Ronaldo have to settle for second and third respectively with Barcelona defender Gerard Pique, one of five players from the Catalan giants in the top 10, in fourth.
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres leads the way for the Premier League in fifth, though only four other players from England’s top flight make the top 20 – Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic (12), Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard (14), Liverpool star Steven Gerrard (17) and Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor (17).
Inter forward Samuel Eto’o Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez, Bayern Munich striker Luca Toni, Carles Puyol and Werder Bremen hit-man Claudio Pizarro make up the top 10.
However the omission of Kaka, a former world player of the year who trailed behind in 85th place, and Barcelona schemer Andres Iniesta from the top 20 is sure to raise many eyebrows.
As indeed will the inclusion of Pique, Toni and Pizarro in the top 10.
Speaking at the launch, Ronaldo, said: “The Castrol Rankings is the ranking that every player wants to top. If you can be number one on the Castrol Rankings there can be no arguments, as it is based on fact, not opinion. That’s why I’m aiming for the number one spot – to prove I’m the best.”
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