23. Koke
When a country’s generation is filled with all-time great players, there’s a natural inclination to look for a successor the second those players retire or at least start to fall off.
For Spain, the two jewels of its golden generation are Xavi and Andres Iniesta. Neither player can truly be replaced, particularly when it came to the pair’s success in major international tournaments. But if there is a young Spanish midfielder worthy of that level of admiration, it’s Koke.
Considered the glue of Atletico Madrid’s success under Diego Simeone, Koke has already done enough to earn the label of Spain’s next great midfielder. He’s even earned the praise of Xavi himself.
As this year’s list of Ballon d’Or nominations has shown, Atletico not only possesses world-class talents, they possess winning players as well. Koke certainly belongs in both those categories.