Elite Footballers 2021: Ranking the Best Male Players (Positions 40–21)

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Top 100 Footballers of 2021: Countdown from 40 to 21

As part of the annual celebration of elite football, hundreds of fans cast their votes to select the world’s best players in each position. The result is a comprehensive list profiling the most impactful footballers of the year. This segment highlights those ranked 40 through 21, according to the collective voice of enthusiasts and experts alike.

Frenkie de Jong: Creative Engine for Club and Country (#40)

Frenkie de Jong stood out for both Barcelona and the Netherlands during 2021, especially shining at the European Championship despite the team’s early exit. While his 2021-22 passing numbers saw a dip, his influence on the field remained strong. In the 2020-21 La Liga season, de Jong ranked second for progressive carrying distance, number of carries into the final third, and total touches. He remains pivotal as Barcelona continues to nurture a youthful squad.

La Liga 2020-21: Second in progressive carrying distance and carries into final third
Crucial figure for the Netherlands in 2021

Achraf Hakimi: Redefining the Modern Right-Back (#39)

Achraf Hakimi’s transition from wing-back at Inter and Dortmund to a more conventional right-back at PSG was seamless. His attacking exploits have not diminished; in Ligue 1, he posted a +21 plus-minus, the second-best tally in the league. While at Inter, Hakimi delivered 7 goals and 8 assists, then maintained his reputation with goals and assists for Paris Saint-Germain.

3 goals, 3 assists as PSG right-back in 2021-22
Ligue 1: Second highest plus/minus rating

Andrew Robertson: The Ultimate Left-Back Consistency (#38)

Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson anchored the club’s defense during a challenging 2020-21 campaign, being the only squad member to play every Premier League match. He continued to set the standard in defense and attack, already tallying 1 goal and 5 assists halfway through the next season. Robertson also led the league by being the target of nearly 2,600 passes, underscoring his importance in Liverpool’s buildup play.

Played every Premier League match in 2020-21
Most target passes in the league

Raheem Sterling: England’s Spark on the Big Stage (#37)

Raheem Sterling played a crucial role in England’s journey to the Euro 2020 final, scoring three goals and constantly threatening opposition defenses. Despite strong competition for his position at Manchester City, Sterling still managed 10 goals and 7 assists in the 2020-21 league campaign. By the midway point of the following season, he had already added 7 goals to his tally. Sterling’s improvement in finishing is evident, ranking seventh in the Premier League for shots on target per 90 minutes.

Three goals at Euro 2020
2021-22: 7 goals in 16 league matches

David Alaba: Defensive Maestro at Real Madrid (#36)

After a decorated period at Bayern Munich, David Alaba transitioned to Real Madrid without missing a beat. Settling into central defense, he became a pivotal figure for Los Blancos, helping them maintain their position at the top of La Liga. Alaba ranked fourth in the league for passes received, showcasing his involvement in both defensive and attacking moves.

Central defender and key playmaker
Fourth most targeted for passes in La Liga

Rodri: The Anchor of Manchester City’s Midfield (#35)

Rodri’s ascent at Manchester City made him indispensable, taking command of the defensive midfield role and even pushing Spain legend Sergio Busquets out of the national side. City’s stability often hinges on his presence, with the team averaging 2.69 points per match when he features. His ability to facilitate possession and disrupt opposition attacks transformed City’s gameplay throughout 2021.

Highest points-per-match average in the Premier League
Secured Spain’s starting spot

Lautaro Martinez: Inter’s Relentless Goal Threat (#34)

Lautaro Martinez played every Serie A match for Inter in 2020-21, scoring 17 times and assisting 6 goals—figures already surpassed as he reached 11 goals in just 17 matches the following season. Instrumental in Inter’s title run and Argentina’s Copa America triumph, Martinez now leads Serie A in goals per 90 minutes, goals plus assists per 90, and expected goals per 90.

17 goals, 6 assists in 38 matches (2020-21)
11 goals in first 17 games of 2021-22

Casemiro: Midfield General at Real Madrid (#33)

Casemiro remains the heartbeat of Real Madrid’s midfield. He leads La Liga in tackles and is vital for winning back possession, helping his team recover nearly 39% of the balls he pressures. His physicality and tactical acumen make him one of the premier defensive midfielders globally.

La Liga’s leading tackler
Sixth best in ball recovery from pressures

Heung-Min Son: Tottenham’s Shining Light (#32)

Despite Tottenham Hotspur’s turbulent year, Heung-Min Son continued to deliver with 8 goals in 16 Premier League games. While his conversion rate of 0.24 might appear modest, it’s among the highest in the league—showcasing his consistent efficiency even during spells of team inconsistency.

Fourth highest shot conversion rate in the Premier League
Main source of goals for Spurs in 2021-22

Manuel Neuer: Elite Goalkeeper Longevity (#31)

At 35, Manuel Neuer’s performances for Bayern Munich remain at the top level. His distribution, sweeping skills, and ability to build from the back are vital, with a Bundesliga-leading clean sheet percentage of 35%. Neuer excelled in the Champions League with a 79% save rate and conceded just 0.5 goals per game during the competition.

Clean sheets in 35% of Bundesliga matches
Key to Bayern’s high defensive line and build-up play

Ederson Moraes: The Standard for Ball-Playing Goalkeepers (#30)

Manchester City’s Ederson was commanding both domestically and internationally, securing the number one spot at the Copa America for Brazil. Ederson posted the best goals-conceded-per-game ratio (0.67) in the Premier League and anchored City’s defense to the most clean sheets during the year.

Best goals conceded per game in the Premier League
Integral to Manchester City’s possession style

Serge Gnabry: Bayern’s Attacking Powerhouse (#29)

Serge Gnabry continued his upward trajectory with Bayern Munich, almost matching the prior season’s tally by reaching 9 goals and 3 assists early in the 2021-22 campaign. For Germany, he netted five goals in eight World Cup Qualifier appearances. Gnabry’s 0.76 goals per 90 minutes puts him among Europe’s most productive right wingers.

9 goals, 3 assists in 2021-22 so far
Top 1% for goals per 90 among right wingers

Edouard Mendy: Chelsea’s Foundation Between the Sticks (#28)

Since his arrival at Chelsea, Edouard Mendy has been transformative, especially since Thomas Tuchel’s appointment. Mendy kept the Premier League’s lowest goals-conceded rate (0.66 per game) and stopped an impressive 83% of shots faced. His distribution and composure under pressure propelled Chelsea to defensive dominance.

Premier League’s best goals conceded per game in 2021
83% save percentage

Lorenzo Insigne: Napoli and Italy’s Creative Spark (#27)

Lorenzo Insigne finally earned mainstream praise for a stellar 2021. He played a crucial part in Italy’s Euro 2020 win, scoring twice, and recorded a career-high 19 goals in Serie A during 2020-21. With four goals and five assists early in the subsequent season, Insigne’s influence on Napoli’s title challenge was unmistakable.

Direct involvement in 27 goals (19 goals, 8 assists) during 2020-21 season
Key player in Italy’s Euro 2020 success

Kevin De Bruyne: World-Class Despite Adversity (#26)

Injuries limited Kevin De Bruyne’s playing time, but his impact when healthy was undeniable. Scoring five times in 14 appearances, he recorded one of the highest goals-per-90 rates in the Premier League. De Bruyne also led the league in shot-creating actions per 90 minutes, confirming his status as one of football’s elite midfield orchestrators.

Top 1% in eight performance metrics for his position
Five goals in limited appearances

Leonardo Bonucci: Timeless Class in Defense (#25)

Leonardo Bonucci, at 34, was a cornerstone of Italy’s defense en route to the European Championship title. For Juventus, he maintained his standard by scoring three times in 15 league matches. Bonucci won about 74% of his aerial duels, placing him among Serie A’s elite defenders.

Sixth highest aerial duel win percentage in Serie A
Instrumental in Italy’s Euro 2020 triumph

Mason Mount: Chelsea’s Dynamic Playmaker (#24)

Mason Mount cemented his role as a crucial figure for Chelsea and England in 2021. He started five matches for the Three Lions at the Euros, and surpassed previous years in goals and assists within the first half of the season. Mount was fourth in the Premier League for goal contributions (goals plus assists) in the 2021-22 campaign.

12 Premier League goal contributions in 2021-22
Mainstay for both Chelsea and England

Ilkay Gundogan: From Defensive Pivot to Goal Scorer (#23)

Ilkay Gundogan adapted to a more attacking role at Manchester City, tallying 13 goals in 28 games across all competitions in 2020-21, with an additional 4 goals and 3 assists in the next campaign’s first half. His 0.4 goals per 90 minutes topped all central midfielders in Europe’s major leagues.

0.4 goals per 90: best among central midfielders in Europe’s top leagues
Integral to Manchester City’s adaptability and midfield strength

Sadio Mane: Relentless Drive for Liverpool (#22)

Though Sadio Mane’s scoring dipped from previous years, his 11 goals and 7 assists in 2020-21, plus a strong start in the following season, reflect his ongoing importance to Liverpool. Beyond goals, Mane’s dribbling, pressing, and creativity were vital. His tally of 39 carries into the penalty area was the third highest in the Premier League.

Consistently among Liverpool’s top performers
Third-most carries into the opposition’s penalty area in the league

Leon Goretzka: Bayern Munich’s Box-to-Box Dynamo (#21)

Leon Goretzka’s well-rounded game has made him indispensable for Bayern Munich and Germany. Offensively, he orchestrates attacks and makes late surges into the box; defensively, he ranks in the top percentiles for tackles and interceptions among central midfielders. With an average of 2.4 interceptions per 90 minutes, Goretzka ensures Bayern’s dominance in transition.