The poll was published the same day as Cole, 24, was named in the Socceroo squad for the January 29 Asian Cup qualifier with Indonesia in Jakarta, capping an extraordinary 12 months for the Sydney FC man.

"A midfield player or full back on either flank, [Cole] is a free-kick specialist who had a trial with Doncaster Rovers but has been unable to secure a work permit. Called into the Australia squad only two months after turning professional," says The Times.

One spot ahead of Cole in 47th spot was Qatari striker Khalfan Ibrahim. Cole was the only Aussie to feature in the list.

Cole was named by FourFourTwo magazine as one of the ten best players outside the A-League in a feature just under a year ago.

Since then, his star has risen supersonically as he's gone from unknown state league player to A-League star.

The Times named Brazilian 23-year-old Hernanes as the number one most promising footballer in the world right now. Second behind the Sao Paulo star was Karim Benzema, 21, of Lyon.