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Unlike shooting or passing, vision is one quality of footballers that can't be easily (relatively, of course) developed in training. While it can be enhanced by years of practice, its largely inherent nature makes it one of the most sought-after qualities in a top-level player, especially a playmaker.
Over the years, many incredible readers of the game have shown their uncanny knack of spotting teammates' runs and finding open spaces. The likes of Barcelona legends Iniesta and Xavi, as well as recently-appointed Juventus manager Andrea Pirlo, often demonstrated their ability to dictate the flow of the game and play the killer pass when required.
Even at the moment, various playmakers like Philippe Coutinho, David Silva and Luka Modric often see things their midfield counterparts can't.
Here are the 5 footballers with the best vision right now.
Honourable Mentions: Emi Buendia, Santi Cazorla, Martin Odegaard, Christian Eriksen, Luka Modric
#5 Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain)
Paris Saint-Germain talisman Neymar is the only out-and-out winger on this list, but his playing position can't discount the fact that he has incredible vision.
While this ability was on display at Barcelona, the Brazilian's move to the French capital has seen him get on the ball far more often. With Neymar being the focal point of most of his team's attacks, he has shown that he can spot the runs of fellow forwards Kylian Mbappe, Edinson Cavani, Mauro Icardi and Angel Di Maria with consummate ease.
In the 2019-20 season, the 28-year-old has seen injuries restrict him to just 15 appearances in the league. Neymar's expected assists is 5.25, which is a sharp decline from 12.28 in his first season in Ligue 1. However, this can be attributed to his lack of fitness, and he is undoubtedly one of the best creators in the world at the moment.
With Mbappe out due to injury, PSG will need Neymar to be at his best against Atalanta in their upcoming Champions League fixture.
#4 Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich)
Thiago Alcantara has to be one of the most underrated midfielders in world football at the moment. The former Barcelona man is a vital cog in Hansi Flick's Bayern Munich side, and has been ever-present for the team since signing for them in 2013.
In the 2019-20 season as well, Thiago has made 37 appearances in all competitions, scoring 3 and assisting 2. While these numbers on their own don't make for great reading, the Spaniard has often been deployed in a deeper role and hasn't been given the freedom to express himself further up the pitch.
With Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich sometimes preferred in midfield, Thiago has had to alter his game to suit his team's needs in more ways than one. Despite his position in front of the back-line, Thiago has managed to create 1 chance per game, along with 2.3 tackles and interceptions each per 90 minutes.
With La Masia DNA coursing through his blood, the 29-year-old can excel in a more advanced role. However, he might just be a victim of his own versatility.
#3 Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)
Mesut Ozil is another victim of the curse that has recently struck pure playmakers, with the likes of James Rodriguez and Philippe Coutinho also never quite finding themselves fully in favour with their managers. Cast by the wayside despite his exorbitant contract, the German is a peripheral figure at the Emirates nowadays.
Having made only 23 appearances in all competitions this season, Ozil has been sacrificed by manager Mikel Arteta for more industrious legs in midfield. The attacking midfielder has even failed to make the matchday squad in recent games, and seems to be well on his way out of the Emirates Stadium should another club be able to match his wages.
However, despite his bit-part role at Arsenal, Mesut Ozil is still one of the best playmakers in the world, with an almost unparalleled ability to find the right pass. Blessed with a wand of a left foot and the ability to spot runs even cameras can't capture, the 31-year-old is an footballing artist if there ever was one.
#2 Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona)
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been embroiled in perhaps the greatest sporting rivalry of all time, and one valuable trump card that Barcelona's talisman holds over his rival is his vision.
Along with winning the Pichichi Trophy with 25 goals in the 2019-20 LaLiga campaign, Messi piled on another 21 assists to single-handedly take his team to the second spot in the league table. The Argentine's partnerships with Jordi Alba, Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann (despite initial struggles) have powered the Blaugrana in a season characterised by inconsistency and managerial changes.
Messi drops deep to get on the ball for a major part of every game, and directs laser-guided passes to his teammates with seemingly no effort. In the recently-concluded LaLiga season, the Barcelona captain recorded 2.7 key passes per game and created 36 big chances (22 more than second-placed Mikel Oyarzabal).
Also Read: Messi's net worth 2020
Lionel Messi is heading towards the twilight of his career, and we must enjoy the 33-year-old's magic while we can.
#1 Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
Manchester City's maestro Kevin De Bruyne is undoubtedly the best midfielder in the world at the moment, and the main aspect of his game that adds weight to this claim is his vision.
The Belgian not only has the ability to spot runs but also finds his teammates with inch-perfect passes that defy physics. Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez's performances have been elevated by the genius behind them, as De Bruyne equalled Thierry Henry's long-standing Premier League assist record (20 assists).
The 29-year-old's pinpoint through balls and outrageous set-piece deliveries have taken City to a comfortable second-place finish despite their defensive struggles, with De Bruyne even carrying his team through to the Champions League quarter-finals with a couple of world-class performances against tournament favourites Real Madrid.
City's main man was a Ballon d'Or favourite before the award was cancelled but with the sheer unteachable quality that he possesses, he can't be written off in the upcoming individual award ceremonies.
