Who do you guys think is the best holding midfielder in the world, name top three in this world cup?
480868
Claude Makelele is top. There is no doubt about that. \n\nI think Xavi and Marquez are also amazing in that position.
1080418
I would pip Brasil as the strongest team in the world cup followed by England , Argentina , Netherlands , Spain , France and Portugal .With these teams having world class players like Ronaldinho , Cafu , Roberto Carlos , David Beckham , Steven Gerrard , Crespo , John Terry , Javier Saviola , Wayne Rooney , Michael Owen , Arjen Robben {The actor } , Ruud Van Nistlerooy , Edwin Van Der Sar , Raul Gonzales , Iker Casillas , Luis Garcia , Thierry Henry , David Trezeguet , William Gallas , \nJuan Roman Riquelme and the last action of the best midfielder in the current era Zinedine Zidane
1077292
Its hard to left behind players like Zico (Brazil), Koeman (Holland), Roberto Baggio (Italy), Cruyff (Holland), Romário (Brazil), Puskas (Hungary), Rossi (Italy), Van Basten (Holland), Klinsmann (Germany), Kempes (Argentina), Muller (Germany), Platini (France), Zoff (Itlay), Matthaus (Germany), Ronaldo (Brazil), Milla (Cameroon), Brehme (Germany), Di Stefano (Argentina)... as many other brilliant players but, since its the best of World Cups, here's my selection:\n\n1. Yashin (ex-URSS)\n\n2. Baresi (Italy)\n3. Beckenbauer -he was central defender, sweeper- (Germany)\n4. Cafú (Brazil)\n5. Maldini (Italy)\n\n6. Maradona (Argentina)\n7. Garrincha (Brazil)\n8. Zidane (France)\n9. Bobby Charlton (England)\n\n10. Eusébio (Portugal)\n11. Pélé (Brazil)
906963
1. Buffon\n2. Thierry Henry\n3. Samuel Eto'o\n4. Pirlo\n5. Juninho\n\nIt is the principle to award a player who won something during the season, so Buffon seems to me the best choice, even if I am a supporter of the french national team. \nTiti has not been decisive in neither of the final he has disputed, but still great carrier, he is a striker that play for the team (it has to be underlined). \nEto'o didn't do the World Cup but we can observe actually that Barcelona definitely needs him. \nI prefer to add Pirlo than Cannavaro, I have seen him during the Champ L. game Milan Ac/OL, and during the worldcup: impressive. \nAnd finally I add also Juninho...but it is totally subjective because I am a fan of the OL ( & Cris has a defensor is largely better than Canavaro, cf the 2 games Real/OL of this year). I have been very glad that you quote him, this player deserves a better press than he has, but that is the problem to play in the French League...so Juhnino bring us back the CL!
1035896
Mehdi Mahdavikia (he is fast, tricky, and I think he will be the best winger in World cup 2006)
980893
I believe Ricardo is the best by far. Also Cech is good and Casillas is beautiful!
406270
It will not be Ronaldinho because he is not a striker. It will be a striker -- I think Eto'o and Sheva are the best pure strikers, but Cameroon didn't qualify and I don't think Ukraine will advance far enough to give Shevchenko enough games. The same holds true for Thierry Henry and France.\n\nNeither Ronaldo nor Adriano are on top form, so I tend to discount them.\n\nI think that out of Italy, Holland, England, and Argentina, three will reach the semifinals. For this reason, I need to consider Toni, Van Nistelrooy, Rooney, and Crespo. Since Argentina and Holland are not guaranteed to even escape their group, I have to lean toward Rooney and Toni.\n\nI think Rooney is a special player and this could be his tournament to shine. On a hunch, I will choose Rooney.
847636
trezeguet, yes. ribery, too. you can also throw in there: sagnol, thuram, govou, malouda, gallas (the old dependable), and  louis saha who is a gem but always overshadowed by the more showy ones. but I think the one who deserves recognition the most is thierry henry. he’s wildly popular with the fans, the experts, the media but he still has to win world footballer of the year. he’s been in contention three (?) times but always it has eluded him. his solid performance for arsenal is indisputable. he played a pivotal role in france’s crucial world cup matches. beats me why he hasn’t gotten it but i’m a great believer in his talent. anyway, his time will come. i'm just hoping it's now. lol \n\n\nps. cuaresma is also good pick. not of henry's caliber but i think he’s great.
1062727
1. rooney (if he plays)- england\n2. ronaldinho- brazil\n3. christiano ranoldo- portugal\n4. thierry henry- france\n5. milan baros- czezh rep\n6. steven gerrard- england\n7. kaka- brazil\n8. drogba- ivory coast\n9. hernan crespo- aregentinia\n10. arjen robben- holland/ jens lehmann- germany\n\nthat was my top ten players that i think will shine at the world cup. if you meant team than definetley england.
989611
1 kaka\n2 messi\n3 robinho\n4 van der vaart\n5 drogba\n6 juninho\n\nthey are all good though... hard to judge
1055888
Definitely, Ronaldhino, Brasil!!! Why??? Fluid movement,  perfect control of the ball, his dribbles...amazing!!!
1078432
I assume top 5 players refer to both performance so far in the world cup and their past reputation. Therefore:\n\n1, Miroslav Klose, he's always been a monster performer on the world cup stage, scored 5 goals last time around, and he's on pace to score even more this time. All of Germany's hopes rests on him.\n\n2, Fernando Torres, he's been the main focus of the Spanish attack so far, that's why Spain scored 7 goals in 2 games despite having Raul on the bench, cuz 3 of those came from Torres.\n\n3, Andriy Shevchenko, when he's happy, Ukraine's happy, he's gradually returning to top form now after that injury months ago, as shown last game. Therefore, Ukraine can go a long way.\n\n4, Juan Roman Riquelme, he's the centrepiece of Argentinian attack, everything goes through him, his vision and passing ability makes him vital to Argentina.\n\n5, Andrea Pirlo, Italy played 2 games, one brilliant, one horrible, but Pirlo was the only one that was brilliant in both games.
993462
If you are just talking about this world cup alone, the answer is Miroslav Klose of Germany.  He has 4 goals.\n\nBut if you are talking about all-time leaders, including the two goals that Ronaldo of Brazil made against Japan, Ronaldo of Brazil and Gerd Muller of Germany are tied for the top spot of 14 goals.
508144
Both.  I'd put a holding midfielder in behind them and unleash them.  They're too brilliant to restrict.  They are the answer to England's attacking concerns and are too competitive to neglect their defense.  Together, these two guys could prove to be the story of the World Cup...
1075533
I think its Oliver Kahn (Germany) ALTHOUGH HE DIDN'T PLAY YET IN ANY OF THE MATCHES.... (but i remember that whenever he used to catch the ball... he would hold it like it was sth precious!!)
942895
It has to go the player who most influenced his team's victory in a World Cup year.\n\nFabio Cannavaro may not played well all year but his performances were vital to the Azzurri winning their 4th title. Like it or not, it's him who deserves the award.\n\nZidane would be a close second followed by Samuel Et'oo.
1112771
Well, it's tough to choose the prettiest, but\nGermany has Michael Ballack\nhttp://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/player/177667_BALLACK_Michael.html\nUSA has Onyewu Oguchi\nhttp://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/player/175511_ONYEWU_Oguchi.html\nSerbia has Savo Milosevic\nhttp://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/player/158773_MILOSEVIC_Savo.html - unfortunately married with kids\nand Nikola Zigic, but he looks too young on this photo\nhttp://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/player/216929_ZIGIC_Nikola.html\nMexico has Arellano Jesus \nhttp://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/player/162670_ARELLANO_Jesus.html\nCroatia has Niko Kranjcar\nhttp://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/player/183823_KRANJCAR_Niko.html\n\nIf you still can't decide, there is always David Beckham and England, or maybe, since this is so broad, add one more criteria; for example, only guys with black hair and blue eyes...:)\n\nP.S. I vote for Ballack...seriously:)