Unveiling the World’s Top Male Footballers: Countdown from 60 to 41 (2021 Edition)
As part of our annual Top 100 Footballers roundup, readers recently cast their votes for the standout performers by position throughout 2021. After thousands of votes and a rigorous selection process, we present the rankings for players ranked 60 through 41, highlighting their achievements, key stats, and unique contributions to club and country.
60. Luke Shaw: A Rollercoaster Year for Manchester United’s Left-Back
Luke Shaw was outstanding at the tail end of the 2020-21 Premier League season, earning recognition as one of the elite left-backs globally. His impressive run extended into the summer, where he played a pivotal role for England in their journey to the Euro 2020 final. However, after the tournament, his club form faltered, resulting in fewer attacking returns—just a single assist in his first 12 league fixtures—and a reduced role under Manchester United’s new management. Despite this dip, his stellar performances earlier in the year secured him a well-deserved position on this list.
Stat highlight: Shaw delivered 96 carries into the final third in 2020-21, ranking second among Premier League defenders.
59. Kyle Walker: Manchester City’s Reliably Rapid Right-Back
A mainstay in Manchester City’s lineup, Kyle Walker’s impressive year featured a vital supporting role in City’s Premier League and EFL Cup triumphs while also helping England reach the Euro 2020 final. Renowned for his exceptional recovery speed and tactical discipline, Walker’s absence from the starting XI is always noticeable. His consistent contributions in attack and defense make him indispensable for both club and country.
Stat highlight: Walker has completed 110 progressive passes into the final third this season, the sixth most in the division.
58. Marco Reus: The Dortmund Captain’s Resurgence
Injury-free for the first time in several years, Marco Reus was a driving force behind Borussia Dortmund’s DFB Pokal victory and their late surge into the Bundesliga’s top three. Under Marco Rose, Reus’s influence in both attack and transition continues to grow, proving that even at 32, he remains one of Europe’s most consistent attacking midfielders.
Stat highlight: Reus has been targeted with 918 passes this season, the fourth highest in the Bundesliga.
57. Reece James: Cementing His Place Among Chelsea’s Best
Operating in multiple roles throughout 2021, Reece James’s attacking output has exploded—scoring four goals and providing five assists so far this campaign. That’s more than double his previous season’s totals and evidence of his evolution into a first-choice right-back for both Chelsea and England. His rapid development suggests he will remain a crucial fixture for the foreseeable future.
Stat highlight: James ranks fourth for crosses completed in the Premier League this season, with 50.
56. Marco Verratti: Maestro in Italy’s Euro 2020 Triumph
Marco Verratti excelled for the Azzurri at Euro 2020, dictating play and orchestrating Italy’s midfield en route to tournament glory. At Paris Saint-Germain, his Champions League performances remain top-tier, although his club form in Ligue 1 has been less consistent. Despite frequent bookings and increased competition for playing time domestically, Verratti continues to showcase why he’s valued highly on the biggest occasions.
Stat highlight: Verratti averages 93 attempted passes per 90 minutes across all competitions, placing him in the 99th percentile for his position.
55. Jude Bellingham: Teenage Sensation Turned Midfield Leader
Just over a year after joining Borussia Dortmund as a 17-year-old, Jude Bellingham has emerged as one of the world’s top central midfielders—and he’s still only 18. He has notched three goals and eight assists in 21 matches across the Bundesliga and Champions League, displaying maturity and leadership well beyond his years.
Stat highlight: Bellingham has won 46 fouls in the Bundesliga this season, the highest total in the league.
54. Leroy Sané: Thriving Under Nagelsmann’s Guidance
After a challenging start at Bayern Munich, Leroy Sané’s form blossomed under Julian Nagelsmann in 2021. The German winger has delivered 10 goals and nine assists already this campaign, solidifying his status as an attacking threat. Sané’s contributions last season—including his Champions League displays—further reinforce his growing reputation in Munich.
Stat highlight: Sané ranks second in the Bundesliga for plus/minus per 90 minutes at 2.6.
53. Nicolò Barella: Italy and Inter Milan’s Midfield Dynamo
Key to Inter Milan’s 2020-21 league title and a star performer for Italy at the Euros, Nicolò Barella has further elevated his game this season. With seven assists in just 17 matches so far, the 24-year-old is the league leader in goal-creating actions, cementing his role as one of set-piece and open-play creators.
Stat highlight: Barella leads Serie A with 12 goal-creating actions this season.
52. Thibaut Courtois: Real Madrid’s Safe Hands
A pillar of consistency for both Real Madrid and Belgium, Thibaut Courtois’s world-class reflexes and positioning have resulted in an impressive 80.6% save rate, as well as seven clean sheets in 15 La Liga games. Remarkably, he’s managed these feats before reaching his 30th birthday, maintaining his reputation as one of the globe’s elite goalkeepers.
Stat highlight: Courtois has conceded just 0.69 goals per 90 minutes this season—a figure in the 99th percentile for goalkeepers worldwide.
51. Luis Suárez: Still a Prolific Finisher for Atlético Madrid
Luis Suárez was pivotal in Atlético Madrid’s march to the 2020-21 La Liga crown, netting 21 times in 32 matches. The Uruguayan forward’s poaching instincts remain intact, with seven goals in 18 matches this season, but his influence on broader build-up play has started to wane—a sign that his illustrious career may be reaching its twilight years.
Stat highlight: Suárez led La Liga in nutmegs last season, with 10.
50. Fabinho: The Engine Powering Liverpool’s Midfield
Upon returning from injury, Fabinho reignited Liverpool’s midfield, propelling the Reds to a top-three finish. He continued to display his ball-winning expertise in 2021-22, consistently breaking up opposition play. Curiously, despite excelling at club level, Fabinho has not cemented a regular starting role with Brazil’s national team due to fierce competition.
Stat highlight: Fabinho averages 2.9 clearances per 90 minutes—ranking in the 96th percentile for defensive midfielders.
49. Jan Oblak: A Tale of Two Halves in Goal for Atlético Madrid
Regarded as one of the top goalkeepers of the past decade, Jan Oblak was sensational during Atlético’s title-winning campaign, leading La Liga with 97 saves. However, the 2021-22 season has been more challenging, with a notable dip in his save percentage. Even so, his shot-stopping abilities in critical moments keep him among the best.
Stat highlight: Oblak made more saves than any other La Liga goalkeeper in the 2020-21 season.
48. Alisson Becker: Liverpool’s Reliable No. 1
Alisson Becker remains a cornerstone for Liverpool and among the top keepers in the Premier League. His exceptional command of the penalty area and distribution skills sustain Liverpool’s playing style, and he continues to rack up clean sheets.
Stat highlight: Alisson has kept nine clean sheets in 17 league games—second best in England this season.
47. Marquinhos: PSG’s Defensive Leader
With PSG tasting defeat just once in their opening 19 matches, Marquinhos’s leadership and positional flexibility in defense have been instrumental for both club and country. Although others may have more trophies, few defenders have consistently matched Marquinhos’s overall impact in 2021.
Stat highlight: Marquinhos has averaged 73 completed passes per Ligue 1 match, ranking fifth in the league.
46. Harry Kane: Record-Setter for Spurs and England
Harry Kane ended the 2020-21 Premier League campaign as both top scorer and chief creator, cementing his status as one of Europe’s most complete forwards. However, disruptions from a failed transfer saga added instability to his performances, especially at the start of 2021-22. Nonetheless, his exploits for England in World Cup qualifying—scoring 16 goals in 16 international outings—show he remains a top-tier striker.
Stat highlight: Kane led the Premier League with 47 shots on target during the 2020-21 season.
45. Declan Rice: West Ham and England’s Rising Star
Declan Rice’s evolution into one of the world’s most comprehensive midfielders is nearly complete. Key for both West Ham and England across multiple competitions, Rice’s work rate, tactical awareness, and ever-present performances have made him highly respected at only 22 years old.
Stat highlight: Rice’s 53 interceptions since the start of the 2021-22 season put him second in the Premier League.
44. Virgil van Dijk: Returning to Form After Injury
Despite missing much of early 2021 due to injury, Virgil van Dijk quickly re-established himself upon returning, bringing stability to Liverpool’s defense. His passing and composure have helped Liverpool maintain a competitive edge, underlining his enduring importance.
Stat highlight: Van Dijk has completed nearly 93% of his passes this season, among the league’s highest.
43. Ciro Immobile: Lazio’s Unstoppable Striker
Often overlooked, Ciro Immobile continues his annual goal rush. Even though his Euro 2020 showing was moderate, he contributed to Italy’s success and has since maintained a prolific record for Lazio, bolstering his hitman reputation.
Stat highlight: Immobile is second in Serie A for combined goals and assists this season, with 15.
42. Thiago Silva: Chelsea’s Defensive Anchor
Since joining Chelsea, Thiago Silva has defied age-related expectations, playing a crucial part in their Champions League triumph and emerging as a leader in defense. His calm under pressure and ball progression abilities remain world-class, even at 37.
Stat highlight: Silva has advanced the ball over 3,000 yards this season—the fourth highest mark in the Premier League.
41. Antonio Rüdiger: From Fringe Player to Chelsea Star
After limited opportunities under Frank Lampard, Rüdiger has flourished under Thomas Tuchel, anchoring Chelsea’s defense and showcasing his aggression, anticipation, and durability. His consistent displays have been pivotal to the club’s Champions League-winning campaign in 2021.
Stat highlight: Rüdiger has played every minute in the Premier League so far this season—a testament to his fitness and reliability.
More of the World’s Top Footballers
Explore the complete top 100 footballers for 2021, including the full list, detailed breakdowns, and player insights:
Stay tuned for the next installment, moving into the top 40, as football’s most influential stars of 2021 are revealed and analyzed in depth.
