Who are the world’s best footballers? Statistics have yet to provide a universally accepted formula to answer the question, so it comes down to opinions. After we published Gabriele Marcotti’s top 50 on TimesOnline and in The Times on Saturday, we received an avalanche of views from readers.

Few quibbled with the choice of Kaká, the AC Milan and Brazil forward, as the greatest talent on the planet but otherwise there was dissent almost throughout the list. While our European Football Correspondent was congratulated by many for a wise selection, others nominated players whom they felt were unjustifiably omitted from the list.

Ryan Giggs received messages of support from Norway to Singapore after a brilliant season in which he made a huge contribution to Manchester United’s ninth Premiership title in his career.

No other player’s omission prompted more dismay from readers, although Marcotti emphasised that his list reflected the probability of excellence next season, and that the Welshman’s age (33) counted against him. Two teammates of Giggs at Old Trafford were also left out to loud protests. Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic were the central-defensive pair in a first-choice back four, but their efforts were not sufficient to make the top 50.

Jamie Carragher’s appearance at No 32 led to plenty of complaints, many from people who wondered how the Liverpool central defender could possibly have been picked at the expense of Ferdinand and Vidic. Others, meanwhile, felt that Carragher was inferior to Arsenal’s defensive pairing of Kolo Touré and William Gallas, both of whom failed to make the cut.

Another centre back seemed to have even more claim to a place in the top 50 yet was not selected. Fabio Cannavaro is the Fifa World Player of the Year and European Player of the Year, and won the World Cup with Italy last year and the Spanish league title with Real Madrid this month, and his absence from our list provoked much opposition.

There appear to have been plenty of Barcelona supporters responding to our top 50. Ronaldinho, the Nou Camp’s most famous player, was positioned second, behind Kaká, but there was much annoyance at the lack of a place for Deco, Andrés Iniesta and Xavi, the midfield trio, with Deco’s absence prompting 13 readers to voice their displeasure.

The failure of a former Barcelona player, Juan Román Riquelme, to appear in our list led to more objections than about anyone aside from Giggs. The Argentina midfield player inspired Villarreal to the Champions League semi-finals a year ago, but has been on loan to Boca Juniors since last summer.

Riquelme’s omission is perhaps linked to another theme taken up by many readers, that of the lack of players based in South America in our top 50. Rodrigo Palacio, a striker who also plays for Boca, is alone in our list in not plying his trade in Europe. “The world does not revolve around European football,” Carys Mathews, from Chester, complains.

The inclusion of Carlos Tévez, the West Ham United striker, in the top ten drew derision in many quarters. “How can Tévez be at No 8 when there is no Giggs?” Brett Aspden, from Rossendale, asks.

Opinions, opinions. Keep them coming.

Odd choice?

Darren Mackie, a forward, who has spent nearly a decade at Aberdeen without breaking into the Scotland team, is nominated for the world’s top 50 by George – from Aberdeen.

Missing stars

Our readers' top ten

1, Ryan Giggs (Man Utd)

2, Juan Román Riquelme (Villarreal)

3, Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd)

4, Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid)

5, Deco (Barcelona)

6, Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd)

7, Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea)

8, Paolo Maldini (AC Milan)

9, Xabi Alonso (Liverpool)

10, Xavi (Barcelona)

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