Great thread idea. It's so hard to compare across positions, though. I mean, Kompany might be the best defender in the world, but would you rather have him in your XI instead of Schweinsteiger? Likewise, I wouldn't necessarily call someone out for putting Neuer or Buffon in their top ten, but they might not be in the top forty. I honestly don't know.
Anyway, my 10, loaded with attackers (on the logic that the best players under 6' 3" seem to always get put up front until they prove they can't do it):
1. Messi
2. Ronaldo
3. Suarez
4. ZLATAN
5. Neymar
6. Bale
7. Costa
8. Ribery
9. Aguero
10. Falcao
Notes:
Messi: Maybe odd because I would vote Ronaldo for Ballon D'Or since he put in a full 12 months. Nevertheless, I think you can build a team that does more things with Messi than with Ronaldo, but it's still really close--Ronaldo, like ZLATAN, can be dropped into any side in the world and you get an extra goal per match, but you don't get possession and control like you do with Messi. If Messi's injuries continue, though, it'll be hard to justify keeping him here.
Suarez: Yes, I'm biased. But there have been times recently when he gets the ball and you know he's going to score, even though he still has to beat a defender and the keeper. It's like Pedro in '99 at times, when he'd get two strikes and the AB was basically finished. He also works the back four in a way that creates opportunities elsewhere. Watching him play every week has been a delight. So he might be a couple places too high? Whatever. He makes me happy.
ZLATAN: As if Ronaldo and Berba had a love child. Again, he might be too high, but fuck it. He's fucking ZLATAN, and he scores when he wants. I'd pay to watch him before anyone outside the top three here.
Neymar: Maybe the toughest call, because we don't have much of a book on him at the highest level. The Brazilian league has improved with the country's economy, but there's still some dross and provincial management. He's been the real deal at Barcelona, though. I could see him in the top three if we're doing this again in 12 months.
Costa: Madrid are one goal off being top of La Liga thanks to him--remember, he came in for Falcao, who scored the goals to make them top three in Spain. Big Phil will regret snubbing him. Speaking of regret, Liverpool almost had him paired with Suarez last summer. That's the difference in the EPL right now.
Ribery: I thought the Ballon D'Or talk was a little much. He's a brilliant player, but it struck me as needing to pick the best player on the best team. Bayern are loaded everywhere and Ribery is the best of an outstanding bunch, but I don't see him as a top five player. Anyway, being called the eighth-best player in the world shouldn't be an insult unless you're Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.
Aguero: Another personal favorite. He's the closest comp to Suarez right now with his ability in the area. I love watching him, and again, it's my list. So there.
Falcao: Maybe a little high, but what he showed at Atletico last year was amazing. His talent probably puts him higher on this list. However, his behavior at Monaco makes me wonder how much you can expect out of him. He might have been lied to by the oligarch in charge, or plans might have changed after he signed, so I can't fully put that on him. Put him on Real or City or Chelsea in January, where he won't be a problem, and look out. Another guy who might need to be higher in 12 months.