Lionel Messi tops Guardian "Best 100 Footballers in the World" list

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has been ranked as the Best Footballer in the World in a list compiled by The Guardian.

Eleven of the newspaper's football experts were asked to pick their top 30 players in the world before drawing up the final list based on a points system.

Messi pipped Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo to first place, with his Catalan teammates Xavi and Andres Iniesta following in third and fourth respectively.

Manchester United striker Robin van Persie was the highest ranked Premier League representative in seventh.

Wayne Rooney [31st] was among four Englishmen included on the list, which also included Ashley Cole [30th], Joe Hart [65th] and John Terry [86th].