Every year, someone new will pop up and reopen the debate of who the top player on the planet is and where that player slots into the discussion. With the Ballon D'or discussions drawing to a close, now is a perfect time to rekindle the debate.

There are undoubtedly many great players in the game today and the Champions League and World Cup have provided the perfect platforms for the best exponents of the beautiful game.

So without further ado, here are my top 10 players in world football today and the reasons why they are deserving of their places on the list.

10. Zlatan Ibrahimovic

The giant Swedish striker has found a new lease on life since ending his frustrating time at Barcelona and is now leading AC Milan towards Serie A glory in Italy.

Ibrahimovic has confirmed his status as one of the most dangerous frontmen in the world and you'd expect his improvement to continue through 2011. 

9. Arjen Robben

Similarly to Ibrahimovic, Robben has found a new lease on life since leaving Spain. After trading Madrid for Munich, the Dutch winger has found his true calling and has led both his club and country to European and international finals, respectively, in the past 12 months.

Robben has been linked with many other European clubs and if he continues his form of 2010, he'll have the footballing world at his feet

8. Cesc Fabregas

The Arsenal skipper has had to confront injury problems and constant transfer rumours surrounding his future in 2011, but it certainly hasn't deterred the Spaniard from playing some stunning football, earning him the eighth spot on my list of the elite.

The links with Barcelona will continue to persist until he finally swaps north London for north Spain, but Fabregas' skill and technique would certainly fit in comfortably were he to return to his boyhood team.  

7. Carles Puyol

The long haired Spaniard is the captain of the best team in the world today and for me is undoubtedly the best defender and captain in world football today.

With his strength and power at the back, Puyol has no signs of giving up his status as the best defender in the world, with only his teammate Gerard Pique in his rearview mirror.   

His leadership and all round ability earn him the number seven spot on the list

6. Kaka

A couple of years ago, Kaka would have sat atop this list with a cushion over those below, but injuries have hindered the Brazilian maestro and he hasn't been able to justify the obscene amount of money Real Madrid paid to take him from Italy to Spain in 2009.

Maybe it'll take a change of scenery, something that has been linked with the midfielder, but Kaka has some work to do if he is to make his way back towards the top of my list. 

5. Wesley Sneijder

It's been a great year for the Dutchman both domestically and internationally. Sneijder was a linchpin in Jose Mourinho's treble winning Inter Milan side and also played a similarly key role in Holland's run to the World Cup final in South Africa, where they could only be stopped by the dominant Spanish.

If this year goes similarly to 2010 for Sneijder and Inter, it will be a great year for both, and Sneijder may continue climbing the ladder towards becoming the best player in the world 

4. Xavi

You almost take the passing genius for granted when you watch Barcelona or Spain play. The ease with which the midfielder holds and distributes the ball is simply ridiculous.

Xavi played a pivotal role in the World Cup, completing the most passes, and his experience and consistency are something to behold.

It takes some truly great players to be ahead of Xavi in this list. 

3. Andres Iniesta

Combined with the aforementioned Xavi, the Spanish duo is as daunting a prospect for opposite teams as any other partnership in world football today.

The attacking midfielder has gone from strength to strength in 2010, and was the player of the World Cup for the Spanish, scoring the winning goal in the final.

At number three on the list, Iniesta has been superb in the past 12 months and there's seemingly not much that can stop him climbing the list more in the next 12. 

2. Cristiano Ronaldo

There's not a lot the Portuguese forward can't do; he has unbelievable pace, great strength and terrific set piece and finishing ability.

The Real Madrid star has somehow done the unenviable task of living up to an £80m transfer fee and looks set to continue to score more goals for fun in 2011.

1. Lionel Messi

The Argentine magician is as unstoppable as any other player in the world at the moment and is a strong candidate to keep hold of his world footballer of the year crown for another 12 months.

If he keeps up his current form, then he's set to win many more years to come.

Messi is clearly the best player in the world and is the heartbeat of the imperious Barcelona team that humiliated Real Madrid a few weeks ago.

A great threat at all times, Messi is now being mentioned alongside Maradona as one of the best players of all time.