Inter and Milito head AP Global Soccer 10 poll

[November 06, 2012]  LONDON (AP) -- Inter Milan has moved to the top of the AP Global 10 soccer rankings by The Associated Press, replacing Barcelona after ending Juventus' 49-match unbeaten run.

Argentine striker Diego Milito was voted player of the week by AP's panel of 20 international soccer writers Tuesday, ousting Lionel Messi from the top spot by scoring two goals in Inter's 3-1 victory over Juventus.

Barcelona was second in the poll, closely followed by Bayern Munich and Manchester United, who are at the top of their respective leagues in Germany and England.

Inter scored 165 points out of a possible 200, with Barcelona on 128 and Bayern Munich on 126. Manchester United had 118.

Each panelist picks 10 teams and players, with 10 points for first place and one for 10th. The weekly survey includes journalists from Europe, South America, North America and Asia.

Milito scored 132 points from the 20 writers, with Brazil's Neymar on 115, one ahead of Robin van Persie, Manchester United's Dutch striker. Messi did not score last weekend for Barca and slipped to seventh in the rankings, while Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo fell from second to 10th.

Everton's Belgian striker, Marouanne Fellaini, scored twice in his team's 2-2 draw with Fulham and entered the rankings for the first time at sixth.

Paolo Condo, soccer writer with Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport, said: "Inter was able to interrupt a line of 49 wins or draws of Juventus. Neymar scored three goals, and at the end of the match opponents' fans chanted his name."

Julian Bennetts, of England's Hayters news agency, said: "Two goals to end Juventus' unbeaten run means that Diego Milito deserves the crown of best player this week."

"Strikers win matches and Luis Suarez, Neymar and Roberto Soldado all proved their credentials once again," Bennetts added. "The most impressive result of the weekend by quite some distance was Inter Milan's 3-1 victory at Juventus. That ended the Old Lady's unbeaten run on 49 and was the cause for rightful celebration at the San Siro."

Real Madrid slipped one place to sixth, replaced in fifth place by France's Saint-Etienne, thrust into the top 10 by a surprise 2-1 victory over French league leader Paris Saint- Germain.

[Associated Press; By SIMON HAYDON]

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.