Comprehensive Guide: The Top 100 Footballers in the World for the 2015-16 Season
The anticipation is over—here is the definitive list of the Top 100 Footballers worldwide for the 2015-16 season. Highlighting global stars like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Suarez, and Neymar while also celebrating breakout talents such as Riyad Mahrez, N’Golo Kanté, and Jamie Vardy, this expertly crafted ranking recognizes both established legends and rising icons.
Ranking Methodology and Selection Criteria
To construct an accurate and balanced ranking, the evaluation followed a robust system. Each footballer was assessed based on several factors, including individual skill, current-form consistency, team performance (both in the current and previous season), competitive level of their league, and notable week-to-week excellence. Notably, a player’s overall ability had the greatest influence, while weekly accolades contributed to a lesser extent. This approach ensures both sustained quality and recent achievements are recognized, making this list a blend of recent standout performances and long-term elite consistency.
Honorable Mentions: Players Who Narrowly Missed the Cut
Before unveiling the main countdown, a few standout performers deserve special mention for their contributions in 2015-16:
– **Mario Götze:** Once one of Germany’s brightest prospects, Götze had limited opportunities at Bayern Munich, but his performances, including 3 goals and 4 assists in the Bundesliga, kept him near the top 100.
– **Jonas Oliveira:** The Benfica striker boasted an extraordinary 32 goals and 12 assists in Primeira Liga, helping secure the Portuguese title, yet fell short due to lower European competition impact.
– **Sebastian Giovinco:** Dominating Major League Soccer for Toronto FC, Giovinco’s 22 goals and 13 assists in 2015, and a brilliant start to 2016, showcased elite quality even outside traditional football powerhouses.
Breaking Into the Top 100: Key Players and Their Impact
Starting with number 100 and working upwards, here’s a selection of footballers who made significant marks in the 2015-16 campaign:
– **Yaya Touré (100):** Although not at his peak, the Ivorian midfielder contributed crucial goals and assists for Manchester City while showing continued class, despite reduced involvement late in the season.
– **David Luiz (99):** A vital figure in Paris Saint-Germain’s defense, Luiz displayed strong leadership and technical ability, earning a spot in Ligue 1’s Team of the Year.
– **Álvaro Morata (98):** Excelled as a super-sub at Juventus and delivered vital performances in domestic and European competitions, including Euro 2016 for Spain.
– **Keylor Navas (97):** Real Madrid’s Costa Rican shot-stopper was instrumental in their Champions League triumph, recording an impressive tally of clean sheets.
– **Jan Oblak (96):** Established himself as La Liga’s premier goalkeeper with Atletico Madrid, achieving record clean sheet figures and remarkable consistency in Europe.
Outstanding Defenders and Midfield Generals
Locking down their sides in defense while contributing across the pitch, this segment includes versatile stoppers and midfield orchestrators:
– **Raphael Varane, Laurent Koscielny, Toby Alderweireld:** These central defenders delivered consistent performances in domestic and continental competitions.
– **Gabi Fernandez, Marek Hamšík, N’Golo Kanté:** Each displayed tactical intelligence and relentless energy, powering their teams’ midfield engines by breaking up play and initiating attacks.
Forwards and Finishers: Striking Talent Across the Board
Goalscoring prowess played a major role in these rankings, as outlined by the achievements of key attackers:
– **Romelu Lukaku, Alexandre Lacazette, Mario Gomez:** Each showcased elite finishing ability, ranking among the top goal scorers in their respective leagues.
– **Jamie Vardy:** Cemented his place in Premier League folklore, scoring in 11 consecutive matches and propelling Leicester City to a historic title.
– **Hulk, Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuaín:** These experienced forwards delivered memorable campaigns, dominating in leagues from Russia to Italy to Argentina.
Creative Forces: The World’s Elite Playmakers
Tactical flexibility, vision, and game-changing creativity defined key midfielders in the top 100:
– **Philippe Coutinho, Mesut Özil, Kevin De Bruyne, Dimitri Payet:** These midfielders led their clubs in assists and chance creation, driving forward momentum and regularly unlocking defenses.
– **Paul Pogba, Toni Kroos, Luka Modrić, Ivan Rakitić:** Glued their teams together with control, passing range, and key contributions in high-pressure matches.
Goalkeeping Excellence: The Last Line of Defense
Multiple stoppers stood tall throughout the season, reflecting the importance of elite goalkeepers:
– **Petr Čech, David de Gea, Gianluigi Buffon, Manuel Neuer:** All maintained remarkable clean sheet records and frequently produced match-winning saves in both domestic campaigns and on the international stage.
| Player | Position | Club (2015-16) | Key Stat / Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manuel Neuer | Goalkeeper | Bayern Munich | 20 Bundesliga clean sheets |
| David de Gea | Goalkeeper | Manchester United | 15 Premier League clean sheets |
| Jan Oblak | Goalkeeper | Atletico Madrid | 24 La Liga clean sheets |
| Gianluigi Buffon | Goalkeeper | Juventus | 21 Serie A clean sheets |
| Keylor Navas | Goalkeeper | Real Madrid | 13 La Liga clean sheets, 9 Champions League clean sheets |
Rising Stars and Veteran Standouts
The 2015-16 season saw both future legends and seasoned professionals perform at the highest level:
– **Riyad Mahrez:** Transformed into the Premier League’s most influential player, guiding Leicester City’s incredible league win.
– **Nolito, Shinji Kagawa, Miralem Pjanić:** Proved their worth with standout displays in Spain, Germany, and Italy respectively.
– **Franck Ribéry, Arjen Robben:** Despite injury setbacks, their sheer talent and career achievements earned recognition.
Top 10: The Pinnacle of Global Football Talent
The season’s global elite are defined by extraordinary achievements, leadership, and consistent brilliance:
– **10. Manuel Neuer:** Set the standard in goalkeeping reliability for Bayern Munich.
– **9. Thomas Müller:** Delivered double-digit league goals and assists for yet another season.
– **8. Antoine Griezmann:** Drove both Atletico Madrid and France to the finals of the most prestigious competitions.
– **7. Robert Lewandowski:** Bundesliga’s top scorer, unstoppable in front of goal.
– **6. Gareth Bale:** Led Wales’s surprise Euro 2016 run and starred at Real Madrid.
– **5. Zlatan Ibrahimović:** Produced a record-breaking Ligue 1 campaign with 38 goals.
– **4. Neymar:** Elevated his game to new heights, excelling in Messi’s absence at Barcelona.
– **3. Luis Suárez:** The top scorer in Europe, combining goals and assists to lead Barcelona’s attack.
– **2. Cristiano Ronaldo:** Captained Real Madrid and Portugal to Champions League and European Championship glory, respectively.
– **1. Lionel Messi:** Despite injury, remained the world’s most complete and influential footballer, dominating in La Liga, the Champions League, and on the international stage with Argentina.
Conclusion: Celebrating a Remarkable Season in Football
This comprehensive Top 100 Footballers in the World list captures the talent, resilience, and impact of the game’s greatest players throughout the 2015-16 season. Whether breaking longstanding records, inspiring unlikely championships, or cementing legendary status, these stars left a unique mark on the sport. As football continues to evolve, next year’s rankings promise even more surprises, emerging stars, and performances to remember.
Stay tuned for continued updates and in-depth analysis as the world’s best chase new heights in the seasons ahead.
