Most underrated footballers

Rarely do we applaud the real gems of the beautiful game - strikers and forwards hog all the limelight at the expense of those who really deserve the accolades. It is only when the unappreciated player(s) is out of the field of play that we do notice the huge disparity in terms of the overall team performance. Curiously, midfielders - mostly defensive, form a crucial part of any team yet they are hugely underrated. Most underrated players have a propensity to dictate the game quietly. As a result, their flashier teammates gain acclaim at their expense. Such players may lack the knack for the killer pass or precision but the little things they do on the pitch dictates the eventual outcome of the game. Step up Sergio Busquets - a man loathed by his opponents and loved by Barcelona faithfuls. Yes, he may have a penchant for silly dives but his passing style is elegant - he keeps the ball flowing by mainly intercepting opposition passes. We may harbor disdain for the Spaniard attributable to his comical bouts of simulation, but lets give credit where its due - he is astonishingly a greater interceptor and passer of the ball. His sheer passing is what made him an indispensable component of the Blaugrana as well as the Spanish national team. It is no wonder that Pep Guardiola and Vicente del Bosque remarked that in case of reincarnation, they would fancy coming back in the form of Sergio Busquets. Michael Carrick - The former West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur player sprays crucial passes in unimaginable fashion. At Manchester United, he has proved to be an immensely creative hub, in addition to his holding capabilities. He sometimes tries simple passes, but brilliant ones for that matter. Curiously enough, England preferred other candidates in midfield other than Carrick - the results are as loud! Luka Modric - The Croatian could effortlessly ghost into any team on the Old Continent. With a perfect proficiency, Modric is the dynamo for both Real Madrid and Croatian national team. His ideology revolves along the following; pass, pass and pass more! Criminally underrated in my view. Miralem Pjanic - The Balkan prodigy is a vital component in Rudi Garcia's plans at AS Roma. The Bosnian bragging rights include a fantastic vision and an eye for sumptuous goals. Benat Etxebarria - a true hero in Basque region, the Spaniard calmly dictates the flow of the game deep down the midfield - his style is comparable to Juventus' Andrea Pirlo. Only Athletic Bilbao and Real Betis fans know his true worth. With the unassuming character of a kindergarten teacher, the Spaniard lets his passing accuracy do the talking. Pablo Zabaleta - The Argentine quintessential defender combines skill and passion irrespective of whether he plays at right back or at left back. No complains whatsoever from the South American even if he finds himself on the bench. Combative, committed and passionate, the Argentine has all ingredients needed in football. Gonzalo Higuain - the French-born Argentine international has a fantastic conversion rate. Scoring more than one hundred goals for Real Madrid in less than two hundred appearances - some as a substitute, underline his prowess. Curiously though, as a striker he ought to be getting more acclaim. Surprisingly, he ended up at Napoli as opposed to other "better" sides in the continent. Claude Makelele - An incredibly overlooked player during his reign. The former PSG and Chelsea stalwart fell out with the Real Madrid hierarchy after he asked for a pay rise - the Los Blancos administration really undermined his capabilities. After his departure to Stamford Bridge, it took the Spanish conquerors more than ten years to claim the biggest prize in Europe - the UEFA Champions League. Funny enough, his then teammates - Raul Gonzalez, Ronaldo, Luis Figo and Zinedine Zidane supported Makelele's quest for a pay rise, as they truly knew his worth. Ironically, Makelele's predecessor - Fernando Redondo, legacy at the Bernabeu is well documented. Michael Laudrup - the Danish have been lavished with praises by the world's best talents - from Romario, Ronaldo, Maradona, Zidane, Pele, Beckenbauer et al. His assists tell a tale any current footballer would aspire to surpass. He was so good that he played for both Real Madrid and Barcelona.