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've been counting down the top 50 most beautiful players to watch in Premier League history. Here are the men who made it into the top 10.

10. Paul Scholes (Manchester United 1993-2011 and 2012-13)

Barcelona legend Xavi reckons Scholes is the best central midfielder of the last 20 years, and who are we to argue? The quiet man of United's famous Class of '92 was arguably the most gifted of the lot.

Scholes made a habit of scoring special goals and creating them for his team-mates, but it was his incisive passing, vision and technique which will be most fondly remembered. Quite simply the best English midfielder of his generation.

Magic moment: Scholes scored some stunning volleys during his career, but perhaps the best came against Bradford City in March 2000. David Beckham picked him out a few yards outside the box with a corner and he did the rest, slamming the ball beyond Matt Clarke and into the bottom corner.

Paul Scholes might just be the be the best central midfielder ever to have graced the Premier League

9. Luis Suarez (Liverpool 2011-14)

Suarez has a well-documented ugly side to his game, but the unpredictable Uruguayan was largely a joy to behold as he developed into one of the world's most devastating forwards during his time at Anfield.

At his best, the now-Barcelona forward is simply unplayable, making defenders look like fools and leaving goalkeepers wondering why they'd bothered turning up. His move to the Nou Camp was a loss for the division, as much as it was Liverpool.

Magic moment: Not so much a magic moment for Suarez, more of a magic match. It came in in December 2013 when Norwich were the visitors to Anfield and Suarez scored four times, including a 40-yard half-volley and perfectly-placed free-kick.

Luis Suarez was a joy to behold as he developed into one of the world's most devastating forwards at Liverpool

8. Ryan Giggs (Manchester United 1990-2014)

The most accomplished winger of the Premier League era, Giggs was a player who could do it all - and was always wonderful to watch.

In his early years he was a wing wizard, destroying full backs with his pace and whipping accurate crosses in with his wand of a left foot. And while his game changed to a more composed style with age, his quality never deserted him.

Magic moment: Giggs rolled back the years at Upton Park in February 2009, avoiding a challenge and cutting in from the left to score a Goal of the Season contender in a 1-0 win. United won the title and Giggs was crowned PFA Player of the Year at the age of 35.

Ryan Giggs (left) started out as a wing wizard but changed his game with age and kept quality levels high

7. Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United 2003-09)

Ronaldo turned into the goal machine we know today during his later years at Old Trafford, but he was perhaps at his beautiful best shortly after joining United as a rough diamond in 2003.

His dazzling skills and muscular physique made him a nightmare for defenders, while the way he struck the ball - particularly from free-kicks - ensured many of his goals were breathtaking.

Magic moment: Ronaldo produced spectacular moments regularly at Old Trafford, but it was his debut against Bolton in August 2003 which announced him to the world. The Portuguese replaced Nicky Butt after 61 minutes and proceeded to bamboozle the visitors with his pace and quick feet, giving United fans a taste of the player he would become.

Cristiano Ronaldo had more than just goals at Manchester United - he was skilful, powerful and full of running

6. Thierry Henry (Arsenal 1999-2007, Arsenal 2012 loan)

A great goalscorer and a scorer of great goals, Henry developed into one of the best strikers on the planet after arriving at Arsenal as a raw winger with pace and bags of potential.

A side-footed finish into the bottom corner may have become his trademark in north London, but the Frenchman maintained a perfect balance of elegance and power on the pitch, thrilling fans with his inventive style and propensity for scoring stunning goals.

Magic moment: It was half an hour into Manchester United's visit to Highbury in October 2000 when Henry received a pass with his back to goal on the edge of the area, flicked the ball up, swivelled and volleyed into the top corner. His compatriot, Fabian Barthez, could only stand and admire it.

Thierry Henry scoring one of many goals against Manchester United, typically side-footing his finish

5. Dimitar Berbatov (Tottenham 2006-08, Manchester United 2008-12, Fulham 2012-14)

'Keep calm and pass me the ball' was the message Berbatov displayed on his t-shirt after scoring for Fulham in December 2012. The effortless Bulgarian may have been past his very best at that time, but he certainly had a point.

A maverick with a unique style and composure to his game, Berbatov was often a step – or two – ahead of those around him, be they team-mates or opponents. The Premier League would be a better place with more like him.

Magic moment: Berbatov helped condemn Charlton to relegation in May 2007 with one of the most eye-catching goals of his Tottenham career. An inspired flick left Talal El Karkouri trailing in his wake before a typically calm finish past Scott Carson in the Addicks' goal.

Dimitar Berbatov has a unique style and composure to his game and lit up the Premier League with three clubs

4. Eric Cantona (Manchester United 1992-97)

The driving force behind United's rise to the top in the early years of the Premier League, Cantona is still revered at Old Trafford thanks to his elegance on the pitch, sublime technique and fierce will to win.

Despite an eight-month ban for kicking a Crystal Palace fan, the Frenchman is best remembered for his majestic dribbling and ability to make even the toughest of finishes look simple. All bow to King Eric.

Magic moment: One of the most memorable goals of the Premier League era came against Sunderland at Old Trafford in December 1996 as Cantona took the game by the scruff of the neck with a marauding run from deep. A quick one-two with Brian McClair followed, before the Frenchman executed a delightful chip to score.

Manchester United's iconic forward Eric Cantona made even the toughest of tasks look so simple

3. Gianfranco Zola (Chelsea 1996-2003)

A favourite among neutrals, Zola's performances in the Premier League were full of skill, quick thinking and stylish attacking play. And, unlike some other top players, he did it all with a smile plastered across his face.

Voted Chelsea's greatest-ever player in a poll of the club's fans in 2003, the Italian didn't let his 5ft 6in frame stop him from tormenting the division's best defenders or scoring some magnificent goals.

Magic moment: 'Fantasy, magic,' said Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri of Zola's goal against Norwich in an FA Cup clash in January 2002. The pint-sized forward stole in at the front post to flick a Graeme Le Saux corner between his legs and into the back of the net, all while in mid-air.

Gianfranco Zola had all the ability of a top Premier League player and always played with a smile on his face

2. Matt Le Tissier (Southampton 1986-2002)

Known as 'Le God' among Southampton fans after 16 years on the south coast, Le Tissier can count loyalty among his many qualities after turning down the likes of Tottenham to remain a one club man for his entire career.

The Guernsey-born attacking midfielder relished his role as an entertainer, bringing flair and imagination to the pitch – and he scored plenty of spectacular goals, too. How he was only capped eight times by England remains a mystery.

Magic moment: Le Tissier had it all to do when a header fell just behind him during a game against Newcastle United at The Dell in October 1993. But a neat touch got it back in front of him and he drove forward, lifting the ball past one onrushing opponent and over the head of another before slotting into the bottom corner.

Matt Le Tissier - a one club man at Southampton - is known as 'Le God' by fans of the south coast club

1. Dennis Bergkamp (Arsenal 1995-2006)

After failing to score in his first seven games for Arsenal, Bergkamp grabbed a brilliant brace against Southampton and never looked back. He would retire after 11 years at the club with 120 goals and seven major trophies to his name.

The non-flying Dutchman's achievements were significant, but it was his technique, vision and sheer class with the ball at his feet which helped define Arsene Wenger's revolution in north London.

Magic moment: It was March 2002 when Bergkamp received a pass with his back to goal against Newcastle, spun the ball around Nikos Dabizas with his first touch and slotted it past Shay Given with his second. The Premier League has never seen a goal quite like it since.

Dennis Bergkamp tops our list, having netted 120 goals for Arsenal with a touch of style at all times