Top 5 Premier League Players in the 21st Century

Manchester City is one of the most successful domestic league teams in the 21st century
Manchester City is one of the most successful domestic league teams in the 21st century

#3 Ryan Giggs

The Premier League once featured a midfielder who proved age was just a number. It was none other than Ryan Giggs, who occupies the third spot on our list.

Giggs is the only player-manager in EPL this century
Giggs is the only player-manager in EPL this century

Manchester United stand atop the list of the most Premier League titles with twenty trophies. And Ryan Giggs has been a part of thirteen of them!

Under the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson, the former Welsh captain evolved as a versatile player with an attacking mindset. He was appointed as the interim manager of the Red Devils and ended up as the only player-manager to feature in a Premier League game for the first time since 2000.

Giggs achieved this feat against Hull City in 2014 where he substituted himself for Lawrence.

The class of '92 member is regarded as the one of the best ever Manchester United players in Premier League history.


#2 Thierry Henry

The latest generation of football fans are unbeknownst to the threat that Arsenal once posed. And the constant name behind their success, Thierry Henry.

Henry is arguably the best Gunner of all time
Henry is arguably the best Gunner of all time

The Frenchman was Arsene Wenger's spearhead. One of the first two Premier League Hall of Fame inductees, Thierry Henry, collected ample accolades during his stint at Highbury and then the Emirates stadium.

Henry is the winner of 4 x Golden Boots (Three of them won consecutively between 2003-2006), 2 x Player of the Season, 2 x Premier League Titles, 249 goal involvement out of 258 matches played.

Henry was also one of the most marketable footballers of his time.


#1 Cristiano Ronaldo

Alex Ferguson's gift to the Premier League, Cristiano Ronaldo!

Cristiano won his first Ballon d'Or while being a Red Devil
Cristiano won his first Ballon d'Or while being a Red Devil

The little boy who impressed Man United gaffer Sir Alex Ferguson in a friendly game earned himself a ticket to Old Trafford. Ever since, there's been no looking back for arguably the best player in the history of football.

Cristiano's trophy-laden stint at Manchester United came to an end with the Portuguese's mouth-watering transfer to Spanish giants Real Madrid. Before leaving England, Ronaldo carried a bag full of silverware and legacy along with him.

He won his first Ballon d'Or while being a Red Devil. The 2007/08 golden boot winner was handed the number 7 shirt following Beckham's departure. He ended up as the best ever number 7 in the history of the club. It also seems to have left a curse as nobody, till date, has been able to fill his boot in that jersey.

In conclusion, despite having only 6 Premier League appearances under his belt, Cristiano is considered to be one of the best ever to have played in the league.

This wraps up our top 5 Premier League footballers of the 21st century. Comment your pick in the comments section.

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