Elite Footballers 2020: Ranking the Best Male Players #40–21

Home » Elite Footballers 2020: Ranking the Best Male Players #40–21

Top 100 Male Footballers of 2020: Positions 40–21

Introduction: A Year Like No Other

2020 was a remarkable year in global football, marked significantly by the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the footballing calendar was trimmed and schedules thrown into disarray, many leagues and competitions still managed to deliver memorable moments and standout performances. With that in mind, we present a comprehensive look at the players who excelled in these unique circumstances. This section continues our countdown of the world’s top male footballers of 2020, highlighting those ranked 40 through 21. Rankings are based primarily on form throughout the year, with league strength, club and international achievements, and overall reputation taken into consideration.

Alejandro Gomez: The Creative Dynamo of Atalanta

At 32, Alejandro ‘Papu’ Gomez consistently defied expectations, leading Atalanta’s charge in Serie A and on the European stage. His 2019-20 season saw him record 7 goals and 16 assists over 36 league matches, propelling Atalanta to the Champions League semi-finals. Despite a slight drop in numbers the following season, with 4 goals and 2 assists in 10 Serie A outings, Gomez cemented his reputation as one of the most inventive midfielders in the game.

Luis Suarez: Revitalized at Atletico Madrid

Luis Suarez endured a challenging end to his Barcelona era but found new life at Atletico Madrid. After managing 6 goals and 2 assists during his final months with the Catalan giants, Suarez became a key figure for Atletico right out of the gates, scoring 7 times in his first 10 league matches. His partnership with Joao Felix added further dynamism to a team eager for silverware.

N’Golo Kante: Midfield Maestro Returns to Form

N’Golo Kante returned to his best in 2020, playing a central role for both Chelsea and the French national team. His recoveries, tackles, and interceptions hit numbers reminiscent of his peak seasons, underlining his status as one of the top defensive midfielders globally. Only injury spells hindered his otherwise outstanding year.

Raheem Sterling: A Season of Highs and Lows

Raheem Sterling experienced an up-and-down year, falling from his previous place among the world’s elite. Although he finished the 2019-20 campaign strongly with 9 goals in 14 matches, Sterling struggled for consistency in the new season, netting just 4 times in 12 Premier League starts. Despite a dip in output and involvement, the Manchester City winger remains one of the world’s premier attackers.

Fabinho: The Unsung Hero of Liverpool’s Defense

Fabinho’s versatility shone in 2020, anchoring Liverpool’s midfield en route to a league title and seamlessly adapting to a centre-back role amid an injury crisis. Completing more than 75 passes per match and ranking in the top ten for tackles per game, Fabinho excelled at both club and international levels, even if he remains somewhat underappreciated by general audiences.

Toni Kroos: Real Madrid’s Midfield Conductor

Despite speculations about his future, Toni Kroos maintained his central role in Real Madrid’s midfield throughout 2020. His ability to dictate the tempo proved vital in Los Blancos’ La Liga triumph, where he also contributed 4 goals and 5 assists. Kroos continued his reliable performances going into the new season, helping Real compete at the highest level domestically and in Europe.

Angel Di Maria: Experience and Excellence at PSG

Angel Di Maria showcased his enduring class for Paris Saint-Germain in 2020, flourishing as a creator with 8 goals and 14 assists in Ligue 1 and adding 3 goals and 6 assists en route to the Champions League final. At 32, he remained indispensable to PSG’s attacking success, thriving alongside the club’s collection of star forwards.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic: Ageless Star Leading the Line

Defying age, Zlatan Ibrahimovic delivered one of his most impressive campaigns at 39 for AC Milan. After returning from MLS, where he scored 31 in 31 games, he found the net 10 times and provided 5 assists in just 18 matches. He started the new Serie A season in sensational form, scoring 10 goals in only 6 fixtures, leading Milan’s unbeaten run and topping the league scoring charts despite fewer appearances than his closest rivals.

Roberto Firmino: More Than a Goal Scorer

Roberto Firmino’s contributions to Liverpool go far beyond the scoresheet. In 2020, he played a vital role as both a creative hub and a hard-working forward, scoring 5 goals and supplying 3 assists across 14 Premier League matches, following his 9 goals and 8 assists in the previous campaign. Firmino’s link-up play and ability to orchestrate attacks remain essential components in Jürgen Klopp’s system.

Jadon Sancho: Flashes of Brilliance Amid Inconsistency

Jadon Sancho ended the 2019-20 season on a high, with a remarkable 17 goals and 16 assists in 33 Bundesliga matches. However, he struggled for form in the following campaign, with just 3 assists and no goals in early Bundesliga action, even as his Champions League appearances remained productive. His world-class talent is undeniable, and his first-half-of-the-year performances alone kept him inside the top tier.

Jordan Henderson: Liverpool’s Inspirational Leader

Jordan Henderson’s leadership and influence fueled Liverpool’s midfield through title-winning form and beyond. Scoring 4 goals and adding 5 assists across 30 matches in 2019-20, Henderson was integral to the team’s organization and spirit. His absence this season during injury spells highlighted just how crucial he is to Liverpool’s consistency and success.

Thiago Silva: Defensive Stalwart Across Two Leagues

At 36, Thiago Silva displayed no signs of slowing down. He anchored PSG’s defense to another Ligue 1 title and a Champions League final before bringing his experience and composure to Chelsea, swiftly improving their back line. His consistent excellence defied typical age expectations for central defenders and remained key at both club and international levels.

Casemiro: The Engine of Real Madrid’s Midfield

Casemiro consistently ranks among the most effective defensive midfielders worldwide. In 2020, he contributed 4 goals and 3 assists in 35 La Liga matches, while also averaging nearly 3 tackles and aerial duels won per game—remarkable for a player in a possession-heavy team. His performances have been vital to Real Madrid’s domestic and continental campaigns.

Romelu Lukaku: Consistent Striker at Inter Milan

Romelu Lukaku continued his outstanding goal scoring at Inter Milan, highlighted by 23 Serie A goals in the 2019-20 season and 10 goals in his first 11 matches of the new campaign. He also notched 7 Europa League goals, was prolific in the Champions League, and scored 5 times for Belgium in the Nations League. Lukaku’s all-round forward play and his influence for both club and country secured his status among the game’s elite strikers.

Ciro Immobile: Lazio’s Prolific Marksman

Ciro Immobile was simply unstoppable for Lazio, netting 36 goals and providing 9 assists in 37 Serie A matches, helping his club return to the Champions League. His lethal finishing extended into 2020-21, where he maintained a high strike rate in both league and European competition.

Heung-Min Son: Efficiency Redefined at Tottenham

Heung-Min Son delivered exceptional efficiency in front of goal, tallying 11 goals and 4 assists from just 14 Premier League outings despite only 25 shots. His outstanding conversion and accuracy rates made him one of the world’s most effective forwards, building on a prior season where he posted 11 goals and 10 assists.

Manuel Neuer: Back to His Brilliant Best

Manuel Neuer returned to top form in 2020, captaining Bayern Munich to a historic treble and making 62 Bundesliga and Champions League appearances. While his international performances with Germany were less convincing, Neuer reaffirmed his position as one of the premier goalkeepers in club football.

Alisson Becker: Liverpool’s Last Line of Defense

Alisson continued as Liverpool’s mainstay between the posts, guiding the team to their first Premier League title and earning inclusion in the FIFPRO World XI. While his clean sheet tally dipped, his reliability and mistake-free play remained crucial for both club and Brazil.

Jan Oblak: Atletico Madrid’s Consistency

Jan Oblak remains a model of consistency for Atletico Madrid, playing every minute of domestic and European competition and securing 11 clean sheets in 18 matches. Supported by a sturdy defense, he continued to be a decisive figure in Atletico’s quest for honors.

Karim Benzema: Real Madrid’s Dependable Striker

Karim Benzema played a pivotal role in Real Madrid’s return to the top of La Liga, finishing with 21 goals and 8 assists in 37 matches. Maintaining his standards in the new season, Benzema scored 11 goals and provided 5 assists between league and Champions League appearances, once again showing his importance as the focal point of the Madrid attack.

Conclusion: The Countdown Continues

This segment of the top 100 celebrates the footballers who defined excellence, resilience, and influence from positions 40 to 21. Debates over rankings are always spirited, so which players would you move higher or lower? Stay tuned for our final installment, revealing the top 20 male footballers of 2020. For further analysis and the complete rankings, check out our previous sections and related tactical deep-dives.