An extraordinary 2020 is coming to an end, and it’s time to select Marca’s top 100 footballers of the year.
The coronavirus has dominated life on and off the pitch, but it’s also been the year of Bayern Munich’s 8-2 win over Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League, Real Madrid’s LaLiga Santander post-lockdown comeback win, and the crowning of Robert Lewandowski as the player of the year according to FIFA’s ‘The Best’ awards.
Let’s now get into our choices.
10. Leo Messi – Barcelona
There’s not much left to say about Messi.
READ ALSO: My future? I’ll Wait Until The End Of The Season – Messi
He won the Pichichi top goalscorer award in LaLiga Santander, as well as registering the most assists (21).
But it was his off-pitch activity that made most of the headlines in 2020, particularly his explosive Burofax and interview stating his wish to leave Barcelona.
9. Erling Haaland – Borussia Dortmund
Haaland was one of the stories of the year, smashing in 32 goals in 31 games and winning the ‘Golden Boy’ award for the world’s best young player.
He started the year at Red Bull Salzburg before moving to Borussia Dortmund, and his feats should see him dominate the game in Europe for years to come – whether in Germany or elsewhere.
8. Manuel Neuer – Bayern Munich
A living legend, Neuer was crucial to Bayern’s incredible five trophies in 2020.
READ ALSO: Real Madrid Ends 2020 With Draw At Elche
And at 34 years old, he continues to break records, such as 200 clean sheets for the German giants, and becoming the first player to win two trebles.
7. Karim Benzema – Real Madrid
The Madrid forward is currently in the best period of his career.
After the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo from the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, the Frenchman has become the club’s leader.
His goals and influence saw Los Blancos win back the LaLiga Santander title last spring, and no one now doubts his claim to being one of the world’s best strikers.
6. Neymar – Paris Saint-Germain
Last season was certainly his best one yet in the French capital.
He took his team on his back, and won them key games with his creative influence.
He seems happier too, despite injuries and the fact his side lost out to Bayern in the UEFA Champions League final.
He’s begun this campaign in much the same way, and there could be more trophies ahead for him.
5. Cristiano Ronaldo – Juventus
Insatiable, unstoppable, indescribable.
The Portuguese forward is all this and more.
He seems determined to show the footballing world that he is not stopping, and that’s obvious in the level of his play with Juventus and his national side.
He scored the most goals of anyone in 2020, and now has over 100 for Portugal.
The Champions League continues to elude him in Juventus colours, but knowing him, it’s only a matter of time before he gets his hands on the trophy again.
READ ALSO: Benzema’s Brace Sinks 10-man Athletic Bilbao
Sergio Ramos – Real Madrid
Another star who is showing no sign of letting up.
He is a synoynm for solidity, and it was no coincidence that some of Real Madrid’s most painful defeats in 2020 came when he was absent.
Kylian Mbappe – PSG
The young Frenchman was one game away from taking all the title possible in 2020, but he wasn’t able to show his best in the final against Bayern.
He is the leader of the next generation though, but will PSG be big enough for his ambitions?
Joshua Kimmich – Bayern Munich
One of the best – if not the best – midfielders in the world.
Bayern’s successes in 2020 wouldn’t have been possible without him and his contributions.
He notched seven goals and 17 assists, but it was as much his defensive presence that gave his side their security.
Robert Lewandowski – Bayern Munich
The prolific Pole has no equal.
Top goalscorer in both the Bundesliga and the Champions League, he is another player showing that age – he is now 32 – is just a number.
And with 55 goals and 10 assists in 47 competitive matches this year, his influence has been indisputable.
The rest of the ranking:
11. Thomas Muller
12. Trent Alexander-Arnold
13. Kevin De Bruyne
14. Ciro Immobile
15. Virgil van Dijk
16. Alphonso Davies
17. Thiago Alcantara
18. Marc-Andre Ter Stegen
19. Sadio Mane
20. Toni Kroos
21. Mo Salah
22. Harry Kane
23. Son Heung-Min
24. Luka Modric
25. Serge Gnabry
26. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
27. Raheem Sterling
28. Timo Werner
29. Thibaut Courtois
30. Bruno Fernandes
31. Romelu Lukaku
32. Angel Di Maria
33. Joao Felix
34. David Alaba
35. Leon Goretzka
36. Roberto Firmino
37. Jules Kounde
38. Marcus Rashford
39. Ederson
40. Alisson
41. Marquinhos
42. Jan Oblak
43. Fede Valverde
44. Ansu Fati
45. Andy Robertson
46. Frenkie De Jong
47. Lautaro Martinez
48. Rodri Hernandex
49. Georginio Wijnaldum
50. Jesus Navas
51. Keylor Navas
52. Alvaro Morata
53. Sergio Reguilon
54. Ever Banega
55. Martin Odegaard
56. Jadon Sancho
57. Ferran Torres
58. Paulo Dybala
59. Marcos Llorente
60. Memphis Depay
61. Diogo Jota
62. Jamie Vardy
63. Mikel Oyarzabal
64. Theo Hernandez
65. Jordan Henderson
66. Eduardo Camavinga
67. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
68. Papu Gomez
69. Philippe Coutinho
70. Sergio Aguero
71. Thorgan Hazard
72. Ngolo Kante
73. Dayot Upamecano
74. Kai Havertz
75. Hugo Lloris
76. Houssem Aouar
77. Diego Carlos
78. Tanguy Ndombele
79. Gabriel Jesus
80. Dries Mertens
81. Paul Pogba
82. Anthony Martial
83. Mason Greenwood
84. Carlos Tevez
85. Ben Chilwell
86. Danny Ings
87. James Rodriguez
88. James Maddison
89. Edinson Cavani
90. Jack Grealish
91. Brenner
92. Santi Cazorla
93. Andres Iniesta
94. Pedro Guilherme
95. Duvan Zapata
96. Weston Mckennie
97. Ivan Perisic
98. Everton Ribeiro
99. Eduardo Salvio
100. Martinez Quarta
