Premier League's most beautiful players to watch 20-11: Mesut Ozil, Jay-Jay Okocha and David Beckham are in... but who else makes our countdown?

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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're counting down the top 50 most beautiful players to watch in Premier League history. Here are the men who made it into 20-11.

20. Wayne Rooney (Everton 2002-2004, Manchester United 2004 - present)

At his very best, Rooney mixed sublime technique with power, pace and passion. He may be struggling to recapture his best form, but the England captain remains one of the most gifted players this country has produced.

The 30-year-old's days as a No 9 appear to be coming to an end, although his range of passing and vision will almost certainly ensure he prolongs his career as a midfielder playmaker.

Magic moment: Rooney has had plenty of these over the last 13 years, but the goal which announced him to the world will always be the most special. He was just 16 when he picked up the ball in the last minute against Arsenal in October 2002, took a couple of touches and bent a beautiful, curling strike past David Seaman to send Goodison Park wild.

Wayne Rooney burst onto the scene with a stunning goal against Arsenal, and has been at the top ever since

19. Eden Hazard (Chelsea 2012 – present)

Hazard's slump in form this season has come as a mystery to most observers, particularly after he claimed the 2014-15 PFA Player of the Year award following a campaign full of devastating individual performances.

The Belgian may be slight in stature, but he carries the ball with strength and style and beats full backs for fun, often before creating a chance or scoring himself. It's only a matter of time until he returns to form.

Magic moment: Hazard is normally at his best when taking defenders on, but his stunning goal against Stoke in January 2013 showed just what a complete player he is. The Belgian received the ball 30 yards from goal, turned away from an opposition player and lashed an unstoppable shot into the top corner to complete a comfortable 4-0 victory.

Eden Hazard helped fire Chelsea to the title last season, and has produced a string of superb goals and assists

18. Robinho (Manchester City 2008-10)

Manchester City's decision to splash £32.5million on Robinho may have ultimately been the wrong one, but the fleet-footed Brazilian was an entertaining addition to the Premier League nonetheless.

The ex-Real Madrid maestro duped countless defenders with stepovers and fancy flicks and tricks, while 15 goals in his first season at the Etihad proved that he had an end product to his game, too. Well, for his first season at least.

Magic moment: Manchester City were leading Arsenal 1-0 in November 2008 when Robinho was played through on goal by Shaun Wright-Phillips. With the ball caught a little under his feet, he pulled off an exquisite chip to beat Manuel Alumunia and put City in full control.

Robinho may not have become the star he might have been at Man City, but he provided some great moments

17. David Beckham (Manchester United 1992-2003)

Beckham was the finest crosser of a ball the Premier League has ever seen, but it was the elegant way he bent his deliveries into the opposition box – usually onto the head or foot of a team-mate – which gives him such a lofty position on our countdown.

A free-kick specialist with the ability to switch play with a raking, crossfield pass at any moment, Beckham supplemented his God-given technique with tenacity and a work-rate to rival any of his illustrious Manchester United team-mates.

Magic moment: Beckham was only 21 when he scored arguably the most recognisable goal of the Premier League era, catching Wimbledon goalkeeper Neil Sullivan off his line with a perfectly judged strike from the halfway line. A star was born.

David Beckham was only 21 when he burst onto the scene with this long-range lob against Wimbledon

16. Mesut Ozil (Arsenal 2013 – present)

Ozil has had to deal with his fair share of criticism since joining Arsenal in 2013, but the masterly attacking midfielder has a newfound consistency this season, dictating matches as the Gunners' chief creator.

The German has maintained his reputation as an assist machine since moving to north London, although it's his comfort in possession, eye for a pass and ability to drift past opposition players which make him a joy to watch.

Magic moment: Ozil's most eye-catching assist came against Aston Villa last season when he leaped into the air and flicked the ball into the path of Olivier Giroud with the outside of his left boot. The German also got on the scoresheet as the Gunners romped to a 5-0 win.

Mesut Ozil has become the Premier League's assist king, with spectacular passes making him a fan favourite

15. Joe Cole (West Ham 1998-2003), Chelsea 2003-10, Liverpool 2010-13, West Ham 2013-14, Aston Villa 2014 – 2015)

Cole's career declined rapidly after he left Chelsea five-and-a-half years ago, but it was at Stamford Bridge where he really flourished after initially bursting onto the scene at West Ham.

An accomplished dribbler with a bottomless box of tricks, wonderful balance and an eye for goal, Cole ranks alongside Rooney when it comes to England's most naturally gifted footballers of the last 20 years.

Magic moment: Cole produced countless moments of skill during his spells with West Ham and Chelsea, but perhaps his most memorable contribution was his goal against Manchester United which helped clinch the Premier League title in April 2006. He had his back to goal when he received the ball at his feet but a brilliant turn took out Rio Ferdinand, Mikael Silvestre and Nemanja Vidic, before an accomplished finish beat Edwin van der Sar.

Joe Cole celebrates the goal against Manchester United that helped Chelsea to the 2006 Premier League title

14. David Ginola (Newcastle 1995-97, Tottenham 1997-2000, Aston Villa 2000-02, Everton 2002)

A hit with male and female supporters during his time in the Premier League, Ginola brought French flair and a flowing locks to the left flanks of four top-flight clubs during a largely successful seven years in England.

Fancy footwork and a capacity to wriggle his way beyond defenders made Ginola easy on the eye, while his competence with both feet meant he was unpredictable to both opponents and those watching on from the stands.

Magic moment: It arrived in the FA Cup and Barnsley were the opponents, but Ginola's slaloming run and calm finish in the 1999 quarter-finals was a wonderful display of skill and balance. No wonder he whipped his shirt off to celebrate.

David Ginola (right) and Tim Sherwood celebrate after his mesmerising goal against Barnsley in 1999

13. Paolo Di Canio (Sheffield Wednesday 1997-99, 1999-2003, Charlton 2003-04)

Passionate, hot-headed and occasionally moody, Di Canio remains one of the greatest characters to have plied his trade in the Premier League. And he could play a bit, too.

The Italian never won a senior cap for his country but he lit up England's top-flight with his touch, technique and trickery for seven seasons. A true entertainer.

Magic moment: Always mentioned when talk turns to the best goals of the Premier League era, Di Canio's stunning scissor kick against Wimbledon in March 2000 was the Italian at his very best. Marc-Vivien Foe played a sweeping crossfield ball and Di Canio did the rest, volleying into the far corner in spectacular fashion.

Paulo Di Canio's scissor kick is still mentioned when the list of the Premier League's best goals is considered

12. Georgi Kinkladze (Manchester City 1995-98, Derby 1999-2003)

Head-hunted by the legendary Diego Maradona at Boca Juniors and described as 'the best player to ever come out of eastern Europe' by Alan Ball, Kinkladze just misses out on a place in our top 10 after some dazzling displays on English shores.

The Georgian's dancing feet and speed of thought were key to his success, but it was the way he drove forward with the ball glued to his toes, weaving past opposition players with ease, which will live long in the memory.

Magic moment: It was March 1996 when Kinkladze picked up possession against Southampton and embarked on a typically mazy run. Three Saints players were beaten - one of them twice - before a deft chip over Dave Beasant. 

Georgi Kinklandze embarks on a trademark mazy run for Manchester City, displaying his dancing feet

11. Jay-Jay Okocha (Bolton 2002-06)

So good they named him twice. Okocha moved to Bolton on a free transfer in 2002 and left four years later as a bonafide club legend after adding swagger and style to Sam Allardyce's industrious side.

The Nigerian wasn't a prolific goalscorer, but he possessed a thunderous shot and a superb mix of skill and invention which made him a nightmare for the opposition – and a real fans' favourite.

Magic moment: Okocha made a habit of entertaining crowds with his tricks, but one of his most memorable pieces of skill arrived in the sixth minute of added time against Arsenal in April 2003. The Nigerian showman received a short corner from Youri Djorkaeff and proceeded to flick the ball over Ray Parlour's head before collecting it on the other side. 

Jay-Jay Okocha possessed a mix of skill and invention which made him a nightmare for the opposition