The Goal.com 50: Rio Ferdinand (18)

50 - Ashley Young - Aston Villa, Premier League - Score: 1109
49 - Javier Zanetti - Internazionale, Serie A - Score: 1104
48 - Daniel Guiza - Fenerbahçe, Super Lig - Score: 1089
47 - Juninho Pernambucano - Olympique Lyonnais, Ligue 1 - Score: 1083
46 - Juan Román Riquelme - Boca Juniors, Argentine Apertura - Score: 1077
45 - Luca Toni - FC Bayern, Bundesliga - Score: 1064
44 - David Silva - Valencia, Primera Division - Score: 1060
42 (T) - Thierry Henry - Barcelona, Primera Division - Score: 1040
42 (T) - Daniel Alves - Sevilla, Primera Division / Barcelona, Primera Division - Score: 1040
41 - Antonio Cassano - Sampdoria, Serie A - Score: 1028
40 - Klaas-Jan Huntelaar - Ajax Amsterdam, Eredivisie / Real Madrid, Primera Division - Score: 1027
39 - Ricardo Carvalho - Chelsea, Premier Division - Score: 1025
38 - Samuel Eto'o - Barcelona, Primera Division - Score: 1017
37 - Philipp Lahm - FC Bayern, Bundesliga - Score: 1009
36 - Javier Mascherano - Liverpool, Premier League - Score: 1008
35 - Julio Cesar - Internazionale, Serie A - Score 1000
34 - Robinho - Real Madrid, Primera Division / Manchester City, Premier League - Score: 970
33 - Diego - Werder Bremen, Bundesliga - Score: 955
32 - Carles Puyol - FC Barcelona, La Primera División - Score: 915
31 - Wesley Sneijder - Real Madrid, Primera Division - Score: 887
30 - Daniele De Rossi - Roma, Serie A - Score: 878
29 - Esteban Cambiasso - Internazionale, Serie A - Score: 877
28 - Giorgio Chiellini - Juventus, Serie A - Score 870
27 – Emmanuel Adebayor – Arsenal, Premier League – Score 862
26 - Nemanja Vidic - Manchester United, Premier League - Score: 829
25 - Ruud Van Nistelrooy - Real Madrid, Primera Division- Score: 827
24 - Sergio Ramos - Real Madrid, Primera Division - Score: 733
23 - Maicon Douglas Sisenando - Internazionale, Serie A - Score: 729
22 - Alessandro Del Piero - Juventus, Serie A - Score: 712
21 - John Terry - Chelsea, Premier League - Score: 705
20 - Frank Lampard - Chelsea, Premier League - Score: 668
19 - Marcos Senna - Villarreal, Primera Division - Score 636

18 - Rio Ferdinand - Manchester United, Premier League - Score 610

Former West Ham stopper, Tony Gale recently described Rio Ferdinand as the Rolls Royce of defenders, a description most fitting of a man who, despite his talent, has always been somewhat sold short throughout his career.

He is the world's most expensive defender, yet often finds himself being considered second best: whether to John Terry at international level, or now Nemanja Vidic alongside him for Manchester United. In truth, 2008 was a year in which he proved he is superior to them both and has that extra dimension to his game, with not just the physical presence and athleticism of a top class defender, but the anticipation, awareness and leadership required in any backline if it is to be as successful as United's was last year - the best in Europe, no less.

And speaking of Europe, it was Rio who captained the Red Devils in the Champions League final and lifted the trophy in Moscow after a hard fought victory over Chelsea on penalties. He was second only to Cristiano Ronaldo in the MVP stakes for United in their winning of the Premier League and even the Club World Cup - it was, in essence, a faultless season, that could have only been made perfect if he had pipped John Terry to the England captaincy (or if indeed England had made it to EURO 2008 to begin with and thus had a shot at winning it).

Rio's problem is perhaps that he makes his job look too easy, not unlike Alessandro Nesta, who himself has long lived in the shadow of Fabio Cannavaro, particularly after missing most of the victorious 2006 World Cup winning campaign due to an injury. Such types of defenders don't dive in with quite as much enthusiasm or chase down every ball with such a rabid look in their eyes and thus are too often overlooked for the quality and stability they bring to a team.

Now in his prime, Rio has been hailed as the world's best by names such as Alan Hansen and John Terry in recent months, on top of which, he has stepped up to lead Man United when neither Gary Neville or Ryan Giggs are on the field, which he has done to good effect - the odd accidental kick at a steward notwithstanding.

Whether or not Rio can top his 2008 remains a matter of contention. On an individual level, there is the possibility he could yet improve; but whether or not that would yield such an impeccable defensive record as United's was in 2008 - not to mention the resulting silverware - is far less probable. This is the closest a player like Rio is likely to get to any individual recognition, and not only was he out of sight for the Ballon d'Or, he was even dubiously overlooked as John Terry won the UEFA Champions League's best defender award.

Better luck next time? Unlikely - and it is in a sense testament to the general underappreciation of defenders in an era that is well and truly lacking in the world class that has graced previous generations.

Team Prizes:

 

Champions League,
Premier League,
World Club Cup,
Community Shield

Individual Accolades:

 

Premier League Team of the Season,
FIFPro World XI

Sulmaan Ahmad, Goal.com