5. Auckland City

Let’s start off the Top 5 not with one individual player, but one collection of heroes. Little Auckland City came into the tournament expected to be the whipping boys, but they left with pride and honour as they bagged fifth-place in the 7-team championship. Adam Dickinson, Chad Coombes, Jason Hayne and Riki Van Steeden may have been the protagonists for the club and in a way for their country, but there’s no question that the entire team, from the first XI to the squad players, deserve to be recognised collectively.

4. Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes)

The veteran playmaker has continued his stunning return to form. Estudiantes’ answer to Xavi, the 34-year-old masterminded his team’s march to the final with a virtuoso display against Pohang Steelers in the semis, before leading his team on the frontline against Barca in the showpiece finale with an admirable all-round performance as he helped his side weather the storm in defence, marshalled the midfield, and led the attack. Wrapped up the tournament by collecting the Silver Ball.

3. Pedro (Barcelona)

As Barca entered the record books, young Pedro carved his name into Camp Nou history by becoming the first ever player to score in six different competitions in a single season. And he didn’t just score... he scored vital goals for the Blaugrana in the Club World Cup, none more so than the 89th minute equaliser against Estudiantes in the final. It might well be the most important goal he will ever score in his footballing career. In a tournament where the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimovic were expected to be the headline acts, it was the 22-year-old Pedrito who stole all the thunder.

2. Denilson (Pohang Steelers)

The Brazilian – not the one who used to be the world’s most expensive player – picked up the Golden Shoe as the tournament's top scorer with four goals as he single-handedly guided the South Koreans to a third-place finish. He was in fact the only player to score for the Asian Champions League winners from open play throughout the championship and he made sure that his trip to Abu Dhabi wasn’t flawed by converting his shoot-out spotkick against Atlante in the play-off.

1. Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

There were fears that the Ballon d’Or winner might not even participate in the competition after picking up an injury prior to the team’s arrival in Abu Dhabi. The worst fears were compounded when he had to start the semi-final clash against Atlante on the bench. But after 53 minutes, ‘El Mesias’ was unleashed. Within two minutes of his introduction, he put his side into the lead against the Mexican. He again stamped his influence in the final against Estudiantes, showing his predatory skills – just as he did in the Champions League final – to score the winning goal in extra time. Officially named by FIFA as the player of the tournament.