5. Juan Roman Riquelme
A surprise choice perhaps, but a justified one if people can remember Riquelmes sublime powers in the football field. The last few years of his career were spent in Argentina at Boca Juniors, where he retired in May of this year, and he had been off the radar during his spell there. At the height of his career, he was often underrated as he played for Villarreal, not exactly one of La Ligas most decorated teams, but a strong one nonetheless, especially after Riquelme joined them from Barcelona in 2003. Having failed to make an impression at the Catalonian dynasty, the Argentine found his feet playing for The Yellow Submarine and spent years as the foremost controlling influence in the side. Riquelme had the ability to dictate the pace of almost every match he played in, allowing the tempo to fluctuate as he pleased with his exemplary array of passes and navigational skills. Villarreal fans adored him, and his efforts from them in domestic and European competitions will surely never be forgotten. He was, quite simply, a joy to watch, and in his pomp he was up there with the finest playmakers of his generation. Operating in the shadows somewhat, his understated custom and lack of exposure worked in his favour often, but one can only wonder what he would have gone on to achieve had he taken on one more big venture before his best years were over.