Premier League's most beautiful players to watch 50-41: Mark Viduka, Steven Pienaar and Youri Djorkaeff are in... but who else makes our countdown? 

• e-mail

It was Pele who first described football as 'the beautiful game', coining a phrase which would go on to become the sport's unofficial tagline.

The Brazil legend certainly played it, scoring over 1,000 goals in a remarkable career, but what makes a player beautiful to watch?

Alan Shearer is the Premier League's record goalscorer, Roy Keane was one of the division's finest midfielders and few defenders can rival the career of John Terry, but you won't find any of them on this countdown.

We're listing the players who lit up grounds around the country, whose skill, comfort in possession and penchant for the spectacular won them the hearts of fans and minutes on Match of the Day.

They're the players you buy a ticket to see. The defenders who play like they've got all the time in the world. The midfielders who spot a pass nobody else can see. The strikers who create a goal out of absolutely nothing.

This week we'll be counting down the top 50 most beautiful players to watch in Premier League history. Here are the men who made it into 50-41.

50. Christophe Dugarry (Birmingham 2003-04)

After playing for AC Milan and Barcelona earlier in his career, Dugarry arrived at Birmingham on loan from Bordeaux in January 2003. He would leave the club just 18 months later but with his status as a cult hero assured.

A run of five goals in four games towards the end of the 2002-03 season ended the club's relegation fears and convinced Steve Bruce to give the Frenchman a two-year deal and, although he failed to hit the same heights, Blues fans will always remember the impact he made.

Magic moment: They've become something of the norm in recent years, but Dugarry's brilliant back heel finish against Charlton in April 2003 helped Birmingham to a crucial victory. Magnifique.

Birmingham City's Christophe Dugarry scores against Middlesbrough at St Andrew's back in 2003 

49. Deco (Chelsea 2008-10)

Deco was 30 when he arrived at Stamford Bridge but, even though his very best years were behind him after almost a decade with Porto and Barcelona, he still showed glimpses of the talent which made him one of Europe's top playmakers during the noughties.

A diminutive midfielder with superb vision and the ability to dictate games, Deco ended his two-year spell at Chelsea by helping the club win the Premier League and FA Cup Double in 2010. A real pleasure to watch.

Magic moment: Deco crowned his debut with a swerving, 25-yard strike past David James in the 89th minute of the opening game of the 2008-09 season - a 4-0 win against Portsmouth.

Former Barcelona midfielder Deco (right) helped Chelsea to a Premier League and FA Cup double in 2010 

48. Mark Viduka (Leeds 2000-04, Middlesbrough 2004-07, Newcastle 2007-09)

'He's got good feet for a big man' might be an overused cliche but it's certainly one which fits 6ft 2in Viduka, scorer of 92 Premier League goals for three different clubs over a nine-year spell.

The powerful Aussie could dominate in the air, although it was his ability to twist and turn away from defenders - often with some eye-catching skill thrown in - to create space and score which marks him out as one of the best imports from Down Under.

Magic moment: The third of his four goals in a stunning 4-3 comeback win for Leeds against Liverpool in November 2000. Viduka left Patrik Berger on his backside with clever turn before firing low into the bottom corner to complete his hat-trick and make it 3-3. Two minutes later he bagged the winner.

Mark Viduka (left) celebrates with Leeds team-mate James Milner after he scored against Man City in 2003 

47. Youri Djorkaeff (Bolton 2002-04, Blackburn 2004)

One of a number of ageing stars tempted to Bolton by Sam Allardyce, Djorkaeff became a driving force behind the club establishing themselves in the top flight with his classy performances.

With experience at European giants Inter Milan and PSG, the Frenchman settled into life in England with ease, bagging 20 Premier League goals all while improving Wanderers' attacking style.

Magic moment: An instinctive overhead kick against Charlton in January 2003 earned Bolton a point at The Valley - and Djorkaeff a place in the hearts of the travelling supporters.

After stints with Inter Milan and PSG, Youri Djorkaef became a fan favourite at Bolton when he arrived in 2002 

46. Rio Ferdinand (West Ham 1996-2000, Leeds 2000-02, Man United 2002-14, QPR 2014-15)

One of only three central defenders on our countdown, Ferdinand's swagger on the ball was just one of the reasons Sir Alex Ferguson splashed out £30million to bring him to Old Trafford in 2002.

Quick, strong and with the confidence to play out of defence, the ex-Leeds man's comfort in possession also meant he was key to starting moves and turning defence into attack. The most graceful English centre half of his generation.

Magic moment: Some fancy footwork against Newcastle in September 1997 allowed him to get clear of experienced trio David Batty, Rob Lee and Warren Barton and gave us a glimpse of what was to come. Not bad for an 18-year-old.

Sir Alex Ferguson spent £30million to bring the wondrously talented Rio Ferdinand to Old Trafford in 2002 

45. Faustino Asprilla (Newcastle 1996-98)

With his languid style, acrobatic goal celebrations and silky skills, Asprilla was a bit of an enigma during his short-lived two-year spell in Newcastle's famous black-and-white stripes.

The colourful Colombian wasn't a prolific goalscorer on Tyneside but he was a delight to watch most of the time, keeping supporters entertained with his unpredictability on the pitch and frustrating his mangers with his antics off it.

Magic moment: It may have come in the Champions League, but we can't ignore Tino's first-half hat-trick against Barcelona in a memorable 3-2 victory in September 1997. There won't be many players who manage that again.

Faustino Asprilla celebrates with his trademark cartwheel following a goal against Wimbledon

44. Laurent Robert (Newcastle 2001-06, Portsmouth 2005-06 loan)

Ineffective one day and unplayable the next, Robert still became a firm favourite at St James' Park due to his dynamic play down Newcastle's left side and wand of a left foot.

A specialist free-kick taker and a fine volleyer of the ball, the Frenchman may feel he didn't quite make the most of natural talent after enduring a nomadic last few years of his career.

Magic moment: Robert scored plenty of wonderful goals for the Magpies but his overhead backheel - if you can call it that - against Fulham in January 2004 tops the lot. A must watch on YouTube.

Laurent Robert became a firm favourite at St James' Park following his five-year spell with the Magpies

43. Steven Pienaar (Everton 2007-11 and 2012-present, Tottenham 2011-12)

The first player on our countdown still plying his trade in the Premier League, Pienaar's creativity and ability to make the ball look like it's glued to his foot make him one of the division's most attractive players, even at 33 years old.

Staying fit has been a serious problem for the little South African in recent seasons, but that won't stop Everton boss Roberto Martinez hoping he can reignite his telepathic partnership with Leighton Baines.

Magic moment: Played through on goal at a snowy Emirates Stadium in January 2010, Pienaar waited and waited before lifting the ball over Manuel Almunia to finish off a brilliant counter-attack by the Toffees.

Everton forward Steven Pienaar scores against Chelsea at Goodison Park during the 2011-12 campaign 

42. Tugay Kerimoglu (Blackburn Rovers 2001-09)

A cult hero at Ewood Park after 293 appearances, some truly memorable goals and more than a few pinpoint passes, Tugay possessed better technique than any other Blackburn player during the Premier League era.

Like a fine wine, the talented Turk seemed to get better with age and he was still conducting matches from the centre of the pitch until he hung up his boots at the age of 38. If the rumours about him being a smoker were true, it certainly didn't show on the pitch.

Magic moment: That volley against Tottenham in November 2006. Paul Robinson flung himself across goal to try and keep it out but he never stood a chance. Unstoppable.

Tugay Kerimoglu (left) became a cult hero at Ewood Park with his pinpoint passes and eye for goal

41. Paul Merson (Arsenal 1985-97, Middlesbrough 1997-98, Aston Villa 1998-02)

With the well-deserved nickname 'magic man', Merson was always a shoo-in for a place on our countdown after years of vibrant displays as a striker, winger and attacking midfielder for a trio of Premier League clubs.

Although he began his career playing up front, the former England international was perhaps at his best in a slightly deeper role where his vision and incisive passing came to the fore.

Magic moment: With the ball seemingly stuck under his feet, Merson pulled off an audacious 35-yard lob to beat Everton goalkeeper Paul Gerrard and give Aston Villa a 1-0 win at Goodison Park in November 2000.

Known as 'magic man', Paul Merson starred for Arsenal as a striker, winger or attacking midfielder