The Korea Herald

피터빈트

Ibrahimovic, Barcelona top soccer rankings

By Korea Herald

Published : Nov. 21, 2012 - 19:35

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LONDON (AP) ― Goal of the decade. Best goal of all time. Goal of the century.

The Associated Press’ global panel of soccer voters agreed on one thing: Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s four-goal spree for Sweden against England last week and his amazing overhead kick goal made him the overwhelming choice to top the AP Global 10 soccer rankings.

The Paris Saint-Germain striker collected an astonishing 199 points ― out of a possible 200 ― from the panel of 20 journalists around the world.

Each voter awards 10 points for his choice of the best player and team of the week, falling to one point for 10th place.

“It’s hard to look beyond Zlatan after his virtuoso performance and video game ‘golazo’ for Sweden against England,” said Will Tidey of the San Francisco-based Bleacher report, referring to Ibrahimovic’s bicycle kick.

Added panelist Christian Schaetzle of German blog derfussballblogger.de: “Four goals in the 4-2 victory over England, plus the bicycle kick from 25 meters for one of the greatest goals of all times.”

Barcelona jumped back into the top spot in team rankings, three points ahead of Italian club Fiorentina, which won praise from panelists after it moved into third place in Serie A with a 4-1 victory over Atalanta ― featuring two goals from Alberto Aquilani.

Aquilani’s goals saw him garner seventh place in the players’ poll, his first appearance.

“In Italy it is hard not to think of Fiorentina as a coming force as they moved into Champions League contention,” said Julian Bennetts of Britain’s Hayters news agency.

Real Madrid is third after its 5-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao, ahead of Premier League champion Manchester City and French club Rennes in fifth.