Top 100 Male Footballers of 2020: Rankings 80 to 61
Overview: Football’s Most Influential Players in a Challenging Year
2020 was a year like no other for football, with the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting leagues and schedules worldwide. Despite these challenges, the game persisted, offering fans memorable performances and standout talents. This segment continues the countdown of the world’s top 100 male footballers, focusing on positions 80 through 61. The selection is based primarily on each player’s form throughout the 2020 calendar year, while also factoring in the competitive level of their league, club and international achievements, and overall reputation.
80. Jérôme Boateng: A Veteran Pillar at Bayern Munich
Jérôme Boateng enjoyed a resurgence in the heart of Bayern Munich’s defense in 2020. Once considered one of the team’s weaker points, Boateng, alongside David Alaba, formed a center-back partnership that helped secure the club’s Champions League triumph. Although competition for his position remained fierce, Boateng remained a trusted figure, featuring in 15 games across the Bundesliga and Champions League in the first half of the 2020–21 season. At 32, his leadership and experience were crucial as Bayern continued their pursuit of more silverware.
79. Pierre-Emile Højbjerg: Tottenham’s Midfield Maestro
Since joining Tottenham Hotspur, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg has become a key figure in José Mourinho’s system, excelling both as a defensive shield and as a deep-lying playmaker. His influence is evident in his passing, averaging over 72 passes and nearly 3 tackles per Premier League match. Previously, Højbjerg captained Southampton to an 11th place finish, showcasing his leadership capabilities despite only being 24. The Danish international’s all-round ability has made him one of this season’s Premier League standouts.
78. Presnel Kimpembe: A Defensive Leader for PSG and France
Presnel Kimpembe’s performances for Paris Saint-Germain soared in 2020, as he established himself as a key figure after Thiago Silva’s departure. Throughout PSG’s journey to the Champions League final, Kimpembe demonstrated maturity beyond his 25 years, playing 10 Champions League games and featuring regularly in Ligue 1. His presence was equally felt in the French national team, signaling his rise as one of the game’s brightest defensive talents.
77. Raphaël Guerreiro: Versatility and Attacking Threat at Borussia Dortmund
Raphaël Guerreiro’s tactical intelligence and offensive prowess have made him essential to Borussia Dortmund’s dynamic setup. Operating primarily as a wing-back, he recorded an impressive 8 goals and 2 assists in 29 Bundesliga appearances during the 2019–20 campaign. Despite injury setbacks in 2020–21, Guerreiro continued to be Dortmund’s primary left-sided option, contributing 3 assists in 7 league games and underlining his importance to the team’s attacking flow.
76. Frenkie de Jong: Barcelona’s Consistent Performer
Amidst turbulent times at Barcelona, Frenkie de Jong remained a rare beacon of consistency. Renowned for his composure on the ball and precise passing, the Dutch midfielder became a top choice for Ronald Koeman. However, heavy expectations and the club’s struggles meant de Jong carried significant responsibility at just 23. While he is regarded among the best midfielders globally, the coming years will be crucial for him to reach even greater heights.
75. Matthijs de Ligt: Solid Defender for Juventus and the Netherlands
Transitioning to top-flight Italian football, Matthijs de Ligt faced the daunting task of living up to Juventus’s defensive legacy. The 21-year-old rose to the challenge, scoring 4 Serie A goals in the 2019–20 title-winning campaign and forming a sturdy partnership with Virgil van Dijk at the international level. While 2020 brought its share of challenges, de Ligt’s consistency and maturity suggested a bright future ahead.
74. Paulo Dybala: Navigating Change at Juventus
Paulo Dybala’s role at Juventus shifted with the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo, forcing the Argentine forward to adapt. Despite increased competition for minutes, Dybala contributed 11 goals and 6 assists during the 2019–20 Serie A season. Although finding the net just twice in his first 12 appearances of 2020–21, his overall impact and creative influence remained vital to the Italian champions’ attacking play.
73. Axel Witsel: Ever-Reliable in Dortmund’s Midfield
Axel Witsel’s 2020 campaign with Borussia Dortmund was marked by consistency and control from midfield. Despite missing time due to injury, the Belgian international managed 4 goals and 5 assists in 28 appearances. Witsel also played a regular role for a top-ranked Belgian national team. His passing accuracy—an outstanding 94%—highlighted his efficiency and intelligence in dictating play.
72. Hakim Ziyech: Flashes of Brilliance at Chelsea and Ajax
Injuries limited Hakim Ziyech’s playing time during his debut season at Chelsea, but whenever on the pitch, his creativity shined. The Moroccan international managed 1 goal and 3 assists in 7 Premier League matches, following a stellar final campaign at Ajax with 6 goals and 12 assists in just 21 Eredivisie appearances. If Ziyech can maintain fitness, he stands to become one of Chelsea’s most influential attacking players.
71. Saúl Ñíguez: Atletico’s Versatile Midfield General
Saúl Ñíguez exemplifies adaptability, playing in multiple roles for Atlético Madrid—from midfielder to full-back to central defense. His 2019–20 season featured a personal best 6 goals and excellence in tackles and aerial duels. At 26, Saúl remains a cornerstone of Diego Simeone’s system, trusted for his work-rate and tactical intelligence, even as competition and rotation impacted his 2020–21 start.
70. Ben Chilwell: Chelsea’s Dynamic Left-Back
Ben Chilwell’s transition from Leicester City to Chelsea elevated his game, particularly on the defensive end. The English full-back’s contribution in attack also grew, as evidenced by 2 goals and 3 assists in his first 10 Premier League appearances for Chelsea. At only 23, Chilwell is recognized as England’s top left-back, and his development under Frank Lampard has cemented his status as one of the league’s brightest defenders.
69. Kyle Walker: Manchester City’s Reliable Right-Back
Kyle Walker continued to be a mainstay for both Manchester City and England in 2020. His ability to adapt to various defensive roles made him invaluable to Pep Guardiola and Gareth Southgate. Walker notched 1 goal and 4 assists over 29 games in 2019–20 and displayed consistent performances, making him the preferred option on the right flank even amidst competition from rising defenders like Joāo Cancelo.
68. Dani Carvajal: Consistency Amidst Adversity at Real Madrid
Dani Carvajal’s reliability at right-back was crucial to Real Madrid’s La Liga title win in 2019–20, where he assisted 5 goals in 31 matches. Although injuries hampered his 2020–21 campaign, Carvajal continued to perform well when available, showcasing his status among the elite full-backs in world football.
67. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: Arsenal’s Goal-Scoring Enigma
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was central to Arsenal’s success in the FA Cup, scoring 4 crucial goals as the Gunners lifted the trophy. He ended the 2019–20 Premier League just shy of the golden boot with 22 goals. However, the 2020–21 season brought an uncharacteristic dip in form, underlining Arsenal’s reliance on their star striker. Despite the slump, Aubameyang’s track record and finishing prowess make a return to form highly anticipated.
66. Memphis Depay: Lyon’s Star and Dutch National Icon
Memphis Depay’s career flourished at Lyon following his move from Manchester United, establishing him as a dominant forward in Ligue 1. In 2020, he recorded 6 goals and 4 assists in 13 league matches, after tallying 9 goals in 13 appearances the prior season. Depay also shined on the European stage, playing a pivotal role in Lyon’s Champions League run and contributing for the Dutch national team.
65. Lorenzo Insigne: Napoli’s Creative Spark
Lorenzo Insigne maintained his role as Napoli’s most influential attacker in 2020. He tallied 8 goals and 6 assists in 37 Serie A appearances during the previous campaign, and started the new season strongly with 4 goals and 2 assists in just 8 matches. His creativity benefited not only Napoli but Italy as well, where he supplied 3 assists in 4 UEFA Nations League appearances.
64. Ederson Moraes: Manchester City’s Unshakeable Number One
Ederson remained Manchester City’s first-choice goalkeeper, rarely missing a minute in both Premier League and Champions League action. Despite a slight dip in form, the Brazilian goalkeeper led the league in clean sheets, underlining his continued importance to Pep Guardiola’s side.
63. Riyad Mahrez: Creative Delivery on the Wing for Manchester City
Riyad Mahrez’s technical skill and creativity were key assets for Manchester City throughout 2020. Despite rotation due to the squad’s depth, Mahrez impressed with 4 goals in 8 starts for the new campaign and notable statistics such as 2.8 chances created and 2.1 dribbles completed per Premier League game. His 2019–20 contributions (11 goals, 9 assists) further showcased his value.
62. Jorginho: Chelsea’s Deep-Lying Playmaker
Jorginho began the 2020–21 season in fine form for Chelsea, remaining a mainstay in the Italian national team as well. In the previous league campaign, he registered 4 goals and 2 assists, underscoring his ability to dictate tempo from deep positions. Though sometimes rotated, Jorginho’s passing precision and intelligent positional play have made him a vital asset for club and country.
61. Leonardo Bonucci: The Veteran Anchor for Juventus and Italy
At 33, Leonardo Bonucci continued to deliver top-level performances for Juventus, making 35 Serie A appearances with 3 goals in 2019–20 and already contributing 2 goals early in the new season. His leadership at the back for both club and Italy, where he featured prominently in UEFA Nations League fixtures, demonstrated his durability and importance amidst the demands of modern football.
Conclusion
This section of the countdown highlights the exceptional talent and resilience of football’s elite, even in a year filled with challenges and unpredictability. Who stood out the most for you? The debate over rankings is sure to continue. Stay tuned for the next installment, revealing positions 60 to 41 in the top 100 male footballers of 2020.
