Top 5 Registas of the modern era

#5 Juan Roman Riquelme

Riquelme stands over a free kick in the 2006 FIFA World Cup

The least famous player on the list, Juan Roman Riquelme's European adventure was under-par in every sense. Dubbed as a political signing by the then Barcelona manager, Louis van Gaal, who famously fell out with fellow South Americans Rivaldo (who was the holder of the Ballon d'Or at the time) at Barcelona and Angel di Maria at Manchester United, he played infrequently and when he did, he was played out of position on the left wing.

He was much more successful with Villarreal, though his finest moments came with Argentine giants Boca Juniors. Winning the Copa Libertadores in 2000 as well as the Intercontinental Cup (now known as the Club World Cup), he caught the eye of Barcelona scouts and was signed in a deal worth €11 million.

Falling out with LvG and Barcelona signing Ronaldinho signaled the end of Riquelme's Barça career. He rekindled his art with Villarreal, helping the club to reach the last four of the 2006 Champions League.

Had he converted his penalty at El Madrigal against eventual runners-up Arsenal, he would have been in line to face his parent club Barcelona in the final. Despite stalwarts like Ronaldinho, Zidane and Raul playing in La Liga, Riquelme was named as the most artistic player by Spanish outlet Marca at the end of the 2004-05 season.

His career with the Argentine national team was better than his European career. His silky skills, phenomenal vision and a passing range of note helped the national side to reach the finals of the 2005 Confederations Cup in Germany, where they lost 4-1 to arch-rivals Brazil.

However, Argentina were unable to rediscover their form in the 2006 World Cup in the same country and bowed out in the quarter-finals despite Riquelme assisting some goals, including a Hernan Crespo goal that was the conclusion of 24 uninterrupted passes.

The playmakers are a dying breed and one of the last true Registas, Riquelme retired from football in 2014.