'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus)
Giorgio Chiellini is already a legend at Juventus, and he is one of the greatest ever players to have played for Italy.
Chiellini made his professional debut for Livorno in 2000. He moved to Juventus in 2004, and has been at the club since then, barring a season-long loan move to Fiorentina. The 37-year-old has been a rock at the back for both Juventus and Italy, and is renowned for his commitment, tenacious style of play and leadership ability.
In 2019, Chiellini suffered a serious long-term injury, but he bounced back to help Italy win the Euros this summer. His centre-back partnership with Leonardo Bonucci, for both Juventus and Italy, is regarded one of the greatest in modern football.
Chiellini looks motivated and hungry for more, and could be involved in Italy's FIFA World Cup campaign next year, should the Azzurri qualify for the showpiece event.
#2 Luka Modric (Real Madrid)
Luka Modric is one of the greats of the game, and continues to play a key role for both club and country.
Despite being 36, Modric is still a regular in midfield for Real Madrid and Croatia, so much so that concerns were raised last season about his minutes. He is an elegant midfielder with strong technical ability.
Modric has won two La Liga and four Champions League titles with Real Madrid, and helped Croatia reach the final of the FIFA World Cup in 2018.
His achievements in 2018 helped him win the Ballon d'Or award. Modric is one of the few players to have pipped Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to the prestigious award. Modric is reportedly keen to retire at Real Madrid, and recently extended his contract with the club for another year.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Who else? Cristiano Ronaldo is showing no signs of slowing down, and remains one of the best players in the game.
The 36-year-old won the Capocannoniere award last season, scoring 29 league goals for Juventus. Ronaldo made his name as a forward who predominantly played on the left-wing and terrorising opposition defenders with his dribbling, pace and physicality. Now, he is a world-class striker who combines strong technical ability with excellent finishing.
Ronaldo has become Manchester United's superstar and talisman since his return to his old stomping ground this summer. The Portugal international has scored five goals in six games for the club, and won the Premier League Player of the Month award recently.
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