Word best player of the year

This article is about the men’s player of the year award from 1991–2009, and the women’s player of the year award from 2001–2015. For the men’s player of the year award from 2010–2015, see FIFA Ballon d’Or. For the men’s award since 2016, see The Best FIFA Men’s Player. For the women’s award since 2016, see The Best FIFA Women’s Player.

The FIFA World Player of the Year was an association football award presented annually by the sport’s governing body, FIFA, between 1991 and 2015 at the FIFA World Player Gala. Coaches and captains of international teams and media representatives selected the player they deem to have performed the best in the previous calendar year.

FIFA World Player of the Year
Ronaldo, the youngest recipient of the award aged 20, won it three times.
Presented by	FIFA
First awarded	1991
Last awarded	2009
Most awards	Zinedine Zidane Ronaldo (3 awards each)
Website	fifa.com
Related	FIFA Ballon d’Or The Best FIFA Men’s Player

FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year
Marta, the youngest recipient of the award aged 20, won it five times.
Presented by	FIFA
First awarded	2001
Last awarded	2015
Most awards	Marta (5 awards)
Website	fifa.com
Related	The Best FIFA Women’s Player

Originally a single award for the world’s best men’s player, parallels awards for men and women were awarded from 2001 to 2009. The men’s award was subsumed into the FIFA Ballon d’Or in 2010 while the women’s award remained until 2015. After 2015 both men’s and women’s awards became part of The Best FIFA Football Awards.

During the men’s era, Brazilian players won 8 out of 19 years, compared to three wins – the second most – for French players. In terms of individual players, Brazil again led with five, followed by Italy and Portugal with two each.^[1][2] The youngest winner was Ronaldo, who won at 20 years old in 1996, and the oldest winner was Fabio Cannavaro, who won aged 33 in 2006.^[3][4] Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane each won the award three times, while Ronaldo and Ronaldinho were the only players to win in successive years. From 2010 to 2015, the equivalent men’s award was the FIFA Ballon d’Or, following a merging of the FIFA World Player of the Year and the France Football Ballon d’Or awards.^[5][6] Since 2016, the awards have been replaced by The Best FIFA Men’s Player and The Best FIFA Women’s Player awards.^[7]

Eight women’s footballers – three Germans, three Americans, one Brazilian, and one Japanese – have won the award. Marta, the youngest recipient at age 20 in 2006, has won five successive awards, the most of any player. Birgit Prinz won three times in a row and Mia Hamm won twice in a row. The oldest winner is Nadine Angerer, who was 35 when she won in 2013; she is also the only goalkeeper of either sex to win.

Voting and selection processEdit

FIFA World Player of the YearEdit

FIFA Women’s World Player of the YearEdit

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30. Rodri

Rodri looked a little dumbfounded upon arriving in English football, tasked with the unenviable role of displacing Fernandinho. 

Realising that he couldn’t simply do the Brazilian’s job like-for-like, Rodri has become one of the finest deep-lying playmakers on Earth, adjusting to Guardiolaball perfectly and dictating traffic for the champions. He’s effortless in possession, works hard out of it and the biggest compliment you can pay him is that at times, it looks like Pep himself has a clone in there for him. 

29. Bukayo Saka

So firmly established for Arsenal and England is Saka that it’s hard to believe that he only recently turned 21. There’s no doubt that he’s one of the most exciting English talents to emerge this century.

The highly adaptable winger has been at the forefront of Arsenal’s electric start to the 2021/22 season, reliably providing assists for Mikel Arteta’s side and finding the net himself.

On top of his all-star ability, Saka has shown immense strength of character too: since missing the decisive penalty in the final of Euro 2020 and subsequently receiving vile online abuse, he’s only got better and better and better.

28. Pedri

The fact that Pedri has been compared to Barcelona legends as wide-ranging as Xavi, Iniesta and Messi tells you all you need to know about the immense potential he possesses.

And it’s potential he’s already realised to a large degree at the age of just 20. One of the first names on the Barca teamsheet, he’s well on his way to following in the footsteps of those aforementioned icons.

A chameleonic player who’s equally influential whether deployed in midfield or a more advanced role, Pedri is one of the great hopes of Spanish football and its latest golden generation.

27. Marquinhos

At the age of 28, Marquinhos is coming into his prime years as a centre-back – and he’s doing so as one of the best in the business. There are few more well-rounded in the role than PSG’s captain.

The Brazilian – who can also line up at right-back or in midfield – formed a formidable partnership with compatriot Thiago Silva in Paris and has consummately transitioned from apprentice to master since the latter’s departure.

Marquinhos is on the shorter side as centre-halves go – but that doesn’t matter when you read the game as expertly as he does. A top-quality operator.

26. Federico Valverde

Federico Valverde had one of the hardest jobs in football, trying to dislodge one of Modric, Kroos or Casemiro from their place in the Real Madrid midfield.

What the Uruguayan has done shows his character, however, adapting to become the right-winger in Carlo Ancelotti’s system. Valverde is a crunching midfielder but has showed the dynamism and workrate to help in all phases of the pitch: it’s paid off, too, with Los Blancos conquering all before them in 2022. A testament to versatility. 

25. Jude Bellingham

Bellingham is the highest-ranked teenager on this list – and that’s because the Borussia Dortmund and England sensation performs like a player far beyond his 19 years.

From the moment he burst onto the scene with boyhood club Birmingham City, it was clear Bellingham was going to be something very special indeed – and so it’s proved: he’s already developed into one of the most complete midfielders in the world.

In October this year, he became the youngest captain in Bundesliga history as he wore the armband in senior duo Marco Reus and Mats Hummels’ absence – and it would be absolutely no surprise at all to see him skipper his country in future. ‘Prodigious’ is the word.

24. Ruben Dias

In 2020/21 – his first season at Manchester City – Dias became the first defender to win the prestigious Football Writers’ Association (FWA) Football of the Year award in the Premier League era – the first since 1989, in fact.

That alone ought to tell you what a world-class operator the Portuguese enforcer is. No team conceded fewer goals than City across the 2020/21 and 2021/22 campaigns – and their centre-back rock was integral to their solidity.

All-round defensive quality coupled with elite passing range makes Dias the perfect fit for Pep Guardiola’s side – and a formidable opponent for the rest of the league (and Europe).

23. Toni Kroos

As Germany won the 2014 World Cup, they had Kroos control to thank: the playmaking powerhouse provided more assists than any other at that tournament, where he firmly established himself as one of world’s best creative midfielders.

That summer also saw him make the switch from Bayern Munich to Real Madrid – with whom he’s won 17 trophies, including the Champions League on four occasions.

Kroos retired from international duty last year, having racked up 109 caps (the ninth-most by any German player ever) – but at 32, he should still grace the club game with his midfield mastery for a good few more years yet.

22. Ederson

Ederson’s composure under pressure is almost scary (remember the Manchester City number one’s outrageously casual, post-stumble side-footed pass off the line against Liverpool last season?) – but it’s what makes him one of the finest goalkeepers in today’s game.

The Brazilian is often dubbed an outfield player in goalkeeping gloves – and some of his passes make you think he wouldn’t look out of place in the middle of the park (Pep Guardiola says he’s not a bad penalty taker, either…).

Of course, he wouldn’t be one of the world’s top ‘keepers if he didn’t, well, keep the ball out of the net better than most – and needless to say, he emphatically ticks that box too.

21. Joao Cancelo

A Fantasy Football manager’s dream, Cancelo has become as firm a fixture as any in Pep Guardiola’s side.

The Portuguese full-back set up 10 goals for his team-mates last season, scoring three, while this term he’s already got five assists and two goals to his name.

Cancelo played a key role in City’s Premier League title triumph and he’s become a key man for his country too, starting in their World Cup play-off victory over North Macedonia and providing two goals during the recent Nations League campaign.

Top 10 Best Football Players in the World 2020 One thing about football is that it pitches men of amazing abilities against one another. These gladiators struggle against each other to win matches, and those matches win competitions, and those competitions win laurels for the victors.

But after the matches have been played, and the sweat washed off their bodies, we the followers of the game take the battle away from the stadiums and into our shared spaces.

One of the most boiling questions, sure to bring up an argument or two is: who are the best players in the world today? In other words, who are the most dependable players to their teams, and who are the most fearsome players to play against? Who are the most exciting players to watch? Who are the most lethal finishers in the game? Who has received the most praise and recognition from their fellow players?

In this list, we present some of the most consistently influential players who have continued to shine and to make a difference in the important matches for their teams. Without further unnecessary time-wasting, we present the top 10 Best Footballers in the World for 2020.

Top 10 Best Football Players in the World 2020

• 1. Lionel Messi- Barcelona – Argentina

Barcelona’s poster boy for over a decade still receives all our focus and attention. This absolute force of nature, this demi-god, this icon of the game continues at the very highest of places in this list and all other credible lists of a similar nature.

Messi has produced another spellbinding performance this last term, earning him his sixth Ballon d’ Or. This puts him heads and shoulders above anyone and everyone. He also claimed FIFA’s The Best Award for Player of the Year.

In fact, we may never see a player of this caliber- not for another hundred years. There are many accolades to shout about, but we should also mention his lackluster performance -some say it is a collective team failure – with the Argentine national team, at the recent Copa America. This adds to a long list of failures with Argentina.

• 2. Virgil Van Dyke – Liverpool- Netherlands

Second on our list of the best football players in the world 2020 so far, Virgil Van Dyke, we haven’t seen a defender like this in a long long time. Virgil Van Dyke, with his recent performances in the English Premier League, as well as excellent displays in the Champions League this season, This man has been Liverpool’s wall of defense, a key ingredient in the club’s recent success, and a major part of the club’s aspirations for the future. Virgil Van Dyke is already drawing comparisons with Legends like Jaap Stam and Paolo Maldini. Just look at his stats this season. this

With an average of 5 clearances every 90 minutes he is an almost unbeatable player. Almost. In the last 2 seasons, Virgil Van Dyke has played against Christiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Eden Hazard, and none of them have been able to successfully get past him. Class!

This Defense Marshal has supervised one of the tightest defenses in the World. Even without the captain’s armband Virgil Van Dyke has proven himself to be a natural leader of men and a great asset to the club. He is loved by the management and staff and adored by fans.

Let us not forget that Virgil Van Dyke was voted PFA Player of the Year, voted second FIFA best player of the year for the 2018/2019 season. A worthy accolade indeed.

• 3. Cristiano Ronaldo- Juventus – Portugal

The Conqueror of Europe continues to show his class. Having brought England and Spain to their knees previously, Christiano Ronaldo turned his attention to Italy. This historic land with an ancient history of dominance needed to learn a thing or two about the Legend.

Although Serie A tried to be stubborn, Ronaldo found his form and has a good number of Club Goals to his name this season, went on to lift the Italian Serie A trophy. Management and fans of Real Madrid must have regretted the decision to let him go. Ronaldo has also shown his ability to carry this Juventus side on his shoulders; recall that stunning Hat trick he scored against Athletico Madrid in the Champions League, and you know that this is an absolute powerhouse in this game. In the previous season, he added the Italian Scudetto to his list of achievements.

For those who don’t know, Cristiano Ronaldo has conquered the English League, Spanish La Liga, and now Italian Serie A. He is also a 5-time Ballond’ Or winner and holds the record for the highest number of goals in the UEFA Champions League. He also has 4 European Golden Shoes in his closet. In national colors, he is more successful than Messi. With Portugal, he has won the UEFA European Championship in 2016, and again in 2019.

• 4. Sadio Mane – Liverpool – Senegal

Ladies and Gentlemen, we give you Africa’s Player of the Year, who finds a spot on this illustrious list. With a successful Champions League campaign with Liverpool and a successful African Cup of Nations campaign with Senegal  (Silver medalist), Sadio Mane is surely favored by the gods of football. His goal haul for club and country for the period under review (2018/2019) was 34 goals and 12 assists.

Sadio continues to terrorize defenses in the premier league with more goals. This is a team player who works for the team, sweating it out in attacking as well as defensive positions, playing his teammates into scoring positions, and doing everything he can to win. Recently he been Liverpool’s savior on several occasions and has won games almost entirely on his own. Sadio Mane is a mixture of quality and raw power.

• 5. Mohammed Salah- Liverpool – Egypt

Mohammed Salah is the most loved Liverpool player at the moment and with good reason. After his contributions to Liverpool’s Champions League success this immediate past season, he has continued to play out his heart and blood for the red shirt. It is just January, and we can bet that he will double his current goal tally in the premier league. To be a consistent goal banger a player has to be hungry. Mohammed Salah is hungry even though that hunger may look like selfishness. The Egyptian has endured a fruitless season with the national team but enjoyed the highest accolades with his English club.

The explosive pace is still there! He showed glimpses of his ability despite being slowed down by the injury he sustained in the 2017/2018 Champions League final. Mohammed Salah has received his second consecutive Golden Shoe Award for his performances in the English Premier League.

Salah has been an absolute pillar for Liverpool, With 22 goals he topped the charts until the final day of last season which saw both his teammate Sadio Mane and Pierre Aubameyang of Arsenal score two times each to catch up with him and to share the accolade with 22 goals.

• 6. Kylian Mbappe – Paris Saint Germain- France

Kylian Mbappe announced his presence on the International scene with his sterling performances at the World Cup, including scoring, and assisting in the final to seal a convincing win against runners-up Croatia.

The only other person to have won a  FIFA world cup at the age of 18 after the king of football Edson Arantes Pele. He just won the Kopa Trophy which is awarded to the best player in the world under the age of 21. You don’t have to like him to give him the honor that he deserves, you just have to be objective and see him for what he is. Lightning quick, intelligent on the ball, and an eye for goal, this young man is a joy to watch and is no doubt the face of football in the near future. Despite his injury problems of last year, Kylian Mbappe has continued to score and provide important assists to his teammates, helping his club to the French Ligue 1 title. No doubt, injury or not, Kylian Mbappe is one of the best footballers in the world.

• 7. Raheem Sterling- Manchester City- England

The man of the moment in England right now, Raheem Sterling embodies the potential of what England can become in the years to come. He is Skillful and athletic and has found a new lethal touch in front of goal. Raheem Sterling has come into the limelight this season, thanks to the confidence shown in him by coach Pep Guardiola. The coach has believed in Raheem Sterling, and so has put him on the field to deliver success this season.

With his sense of finishing much improved, Raheem Sterling of Manchester City and England comes in next. The PFA Young Player of the Year last season has continued his fine form for this season and will certainly do much more before the season winds down. Raheem Sterling is just 25 years of age, and so hopefully will continue to thrill us with his attacking runs into opponents danger areas, as well as his intelligent anticipation, and clever finishing. He is one of the pillars of this Manchester City outfit that has been dominant in England. Raheem Sterling is a key element in the aspirations of the club for the future.

• 8. Sergio Aguero – Manchester City – Argentina

Sergio Aguero means business, the eight best football player in the world currently. Manchester City’s Argentine goal-scoring machine comes next. His talent and dedication to the game are undeniable, and he has dominated, or almost dominated the English game for the last couple of years.  Sergio Aguero can make a solid claim to being one of the very best in the English league with his 12 career hattricks, which leapfrogs New Castle legend Alan Shearer who has eleven career hattricks. To be the best you must prove with consistent performances, and that is exactly what Sergio Aguero has done.

He is the most potent striker/ forward not just in England, but in the whole world at the moment. Not one to show his skills with unnecessary touches of the ball, or to slow down even with his opponents mentally defeated, Sergio Aguero keeps hitting and has shown himself a key component of coach Pep Guardiola’s fine-tuned, record-breaking side.

• 9. Kevin De Bryune – Manchester City – Belgium

Manchester City’s midfield general certainly deserves to be a few places higher on this list, but has struggled with some injury problems that have affected his availability for his team, and also his performances on the pitch. Nevertheless, Kevin de Bruyne has been a major ingredient in Manchester City’s Premier League title defense in the 2018/2019 season. In the 2019/2020 season, Kevin de Bruyne has had a fruitful season so far. He has scored a total of 12 goals, 4 being in national colors, and the other 8 being in the club’s shirt. Kevin de Bruyne is the most valuable player for Manchester City.

• 10. Khalidou Koulibaly- Napoli- Senegal

Last on our list of best footballers in the world presently, a Senegalese export to the city of Naples; Khalidou Koulibaly has also shone and towered in his position this season. He has Marshalled another reputable defense in the Football world this term.

He was named the Best Defender in the Italian Serie A for the last season with 61 tackles completed, and 135 clearances. With 2229 passes completed, this is also the best passer of the ball in Serie a for the 2018/2019 season.

Worthy Mentions: Neymar, Paul Pogba, Gini Wijlnaldum, Luis Suarez.

Read Also:

• Top 10 Greatest Football Players of All Time
• Top 10 Best Football Coaches in the World
• TOP 10 BEST GOALKEEPERS IN THE WORLD
• TOP 10 BEST RIGHT BACKS IN THE WORLD
• Top 10 Best Football Leagues in the World

Tag: Best Football Players In The World 2020
Article Filed by @ikepius

Who is the best and greatest soccer player of all time? Read on.

World football is a sport enjoyed by over 4 billion fans around the world. Since the dawn of the XNUMXth century, football has received considerable public attention and recognition. Due to the notoriety of the sport, the best have often been in the limelight at the height of their careers.

These top soccer players not only compete to be the greatest among their contemporaries, but they struggle to create and break records that will be remembered long after their retirement. This is what inspired our article on the greatest soccer players of all time.

Greatest football players of all time (GOAT)

10. Alfredo Di Stéfano, Argentina

Stefano “Saeta Rubia” Di Stefano had a very successful football career that spanned over two decades. During this period, Argentina won several individual awards and championships. He won the Ballon d’Or in 1957 and 1959, the title of Spanish player (athlete) of the year four times, and the South American championship with the Argentine national team in 1947.

His contemporaries also recognized his incredible intelligence, as evidenced by the words of former UEFA president and French footballer Michel Platini, who hailed Stefano as the great among the great. Stefano ranks 10th among our greatest soccer players of all time.

9. Roberto BaggioItaly

One of Italy’s greatest footballers, Roberto Baggio, was an exceptional footballer who captivated fans. Throughout his 30-year career, Baggio has fascinated fans with his unique dribbles that are said to be sung by angels in his legs. He was a great football star who mastered the fundamental art of curling, freekicks and pieces of net. Baggio won the World Soccer Player of the Year award and the Golden Ball in 1993. He also won the Player of the Century award in Italy in 2000. Baggio is one of the greatest soccer players of all. time. ->

8. Michel Platini, France

7. Johan Cruyff, Netherlands

Creating a name in football is a daunting task, but creating an exceptional style of your own is, even more, a rigorous challenge. However, Johan Cruyff managed to overcome both of these challenges. The Dutchman invented the Cruyff turn, which modern football players use widely. He has won the Ballon d’Or, the 1974 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball three times, and led his team to second place at the 1974 FIFA World Cup. ->

6. Ronaldo, Brazil

El Fenomeno, as Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima is nicknamed, led the football world at the peak of his career. The Brazilian striker has made a name for himself with his impeccable dribbling style, fantastic speed and excellent finish. Before El Fenomeno scored 23 points, he had reached a record 200 club and national team goals. He has twice won the FIFA World Cup, twice the Copa America, once the FIFA Confederation Cup and twice the Golden Ball. ->

5. Zinedine Zidane, France

Zinedine Zidane’s phenomenal understanding of football, even after his retirement, is a visible indication that he was one of the best football players of his time. Like all great soccer players who have climbed the pitch, Zidane has created a style of his own. On the pitch, Zidane played with a calm and balanced sense of style and elegance. ->

His technique worked well in his favor as he continued to be a fan favorite even after retirement. Zidane has won the UEFA Champions League, the FIFA World Cup, the Golden Ball and many other accolades during his career. ->

4. Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal

CR7 is in the top 4 of our ranking of the greatest footballers of all time. He has won the Ballon d’Or, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Nations League and the FIFA Best Male Player award five times.

READ ALSO:

10 reasons why Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest footballer of all time

Cristiano Ronaldo Net worth in 2020 and salary — $ 1 billion

3. Lionel Messi, Argentina

Demigod of football, Lionel Messi has emerged from the shadows to become one of the best and most prolific goal scorers in the history of world football. His exploits on the pitch keep fans in suspense. Messi is known to convert freekicks admirably. In addition, he is an excellent playmaker who provides good passes for clinical finishes.

Several sports experts consider Messi to be the greatest of all time (GOAT). The Barcelona legend has won the Ballon d’Or, the UEFA Champions League, the FIFA Club World Cup and the FIFA Best Male Player award six times.

READ ALSO:

10 reasons Lionel Messi is the greatest footballer of all time

Lionel Messi Net Worth 2020, Salary and mentions

2. Diego Maradona, Argentina

Possessing a small stature in football can work against you. But if you’re skillful enough, this could be one of your biggest perks. For Diego Maradona, his short stature is an advantage he used. The Argentine footballer controlled the ball effortlessly; he made breathtaking dribbles, scored memorable goals.

Maradona’s career spanned 21 years, and during that time he won the FIFA World Cup, the FIFA Player of the Century, the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball and the FIFA World Cup Golden Boot, to name a few. Many can argue that Diego Maradona is the greatest soccer player of all time.

1. Pelé, Brazil

The king of soccer, Pelé, is arguably the greatest soccer player of all time. At the age of 17, he announced his presence to the world in a way that convinced many people that he was here to stay. He then rocked football fans with his charming antics and prolific scoring abilities.

Pelé, throughout his 24-year career, has scored over 1 goals, a record. He has won several individual awards and tournaments with the Brazilian soccer team, including the FIFA World Cup, the FIFA Player of the Century, the FIFA World Cup Best Young Player award, and many others.

Conclusion

What do you think of our ranking of the ten best footballers of all time? Which of the best soccer players do you think should be on this list? Please let us know in our «Comments» section below.