The Definitive Ranking: Best Male Footballers of 2020 – Positions 100 to 81

Top 100 Male Footballers of 2020: Positions 100 to 81

Overview: Football’s Standouts in an Unusual Year

2020 was a year like no other, with the COVID-19 pandemic affecting every aspect of life, including the world of football. Despite these global disruptions, many clubs adapted and matches continued, revealing both familiar and surprising talents across the pitch. This curated list recognizes the male footballers who delivered remarkable performances throughout the year, weighing their 2020 form most heavily, while also factoring in team success, league difficulty, and reputation.

Here, we spotlight the players ranked 100 to 81, providing an analysis of their achievements and influence over the year.

100. Danny Ings: Southampton’s Sharpshooter

Danny Ings played a pivotal role in Southampton’s improved form under manager Ralph Hasenhüttl. His relentless pressing and finishing earned him 6 goals and 2 assists in just 7 matches at the start of the 2020-21 season. Building on a tremendous 2019-20 campaign, Ings netted 22 goals in 38 Premier League games, narrowly missing the golden boot. His resurgence also brought him back into consideration for England’s national team.

99. Sergio Busquets: The Consummate Midfield General

While Barcelona faced challenges, Sergio Busquets remained a crucial figure. His game intelligence, vision, and technical skills helped the team reach the Champions League quarter-finals and secure a second-place finish in La Liga. Even as age catches up, Busquets’ positioning, passing, and defensive contributions keep him among football’s elite holding midfielders.

98. Raphael Varane: Anchoring Real Madrid’s Defense

Once considered among the very best centre-backs worldwide, Raphael Varane’s stock has slightly dipped, but his consistency for Real Madrid remains unquestionable. He was instrumental in Madrid’s La Liga title run, making 32 league appearances in the 2019-20 season and taking part in nearly all matches during 2020. His defensive reliability maintains his reputation as one of the top defenders of his generation.

97. David De Gea: Reliability Between the Posts

David De Gea continued as Manchester United’s first-choice goalkeeper, competing against emerging talents and keeping several clean sheets. Though he hasn’t reached his prior heights, De Gea contributed to United’s push towards a top-four Premier League finish, proving his worth as one of the notable shot-stoppers in the world.

96. João Félix: Finding Form in Madrid

João Félix, after an initial struggle at Atlético Madrid, developed strong chemistry with Luis Suárez, resulting in 8 goals from 16 combined appearances in La Liga and the Champions League early in the 2020-21 campaign. His growth also earned him call-ups and starts with the Portuguese national team, hinting at a bright future in international football.

95. Ever Banega: Orchestrating Sevilla’s Success

In 2020, Ever Banega was the engine of Sevilla’s midfield, contributing 3 goals and 7 assists in Spain’s top league and providing key assists during their triumphant Europa League campaign. Although he last played for Argentina in 2018, Banega’s influence at club level was undeniable as he helped Sevilla lift their sixth Europa League trophy.

94. Josip Iličić: Atalanta’s Creative Force

A standout in Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta side, Josip Iličić tallied 15 Serie A goals and 5 assists in the 2019-20 season, in addition to 5 Champions League goals. He was central to Atalanta’s unexpected run to the European quarter-finals. Though his impact lessened into the next season, his contributions remain a highlight of Atalanta’s recent success.

93. César Azpilicueta: The Consistent Chelsea Leader

Chelsea’s captain, César Azpilicueta, continued to deliver reliable performances, even as he saw increased competition for his spot from younger teammates. He made 36 Premier League appearances in 2020, helping to stabilize the backline. His leadership helped Chelsea progress early into the Champions League knockout stage.

92. Koke: Atlético’s Versatile Midfield Maestro

A lifelong Atlético Madrid player, Koke continued to be deployed in multiple roles by coach Diego Simeone. In the 2019-20 season, he recorded 4 goals, 5 assists, and maintained impressive defensive statistics, key to Atlético’s strong domestic standing. His adaptability also ensured his place in the Spanish national setup.

91. Thomas Partey: From Atlético Anchor to Arsenal’s Hope

Thomas Partey thrived in Atlético’s tactical system, where his physical presence and intelligence made him indispensable. Since transferring to Arsenal, he’s shown glimpses of brilliance but has been hampered by injuries. At his best, Partey remains one of the most impactful midfielders in Europe.

90. Dayot Upamecano: Leipzig’s Defensive Pillar

2020 was the year Dayot Upamecano firmly established himself as a premier centre-back, leading RB Leipzig to a Bundesliga top-three finish and a historic Champions League semi-final appearance. His defensive prowess and ability to lead from the back made him one of Europe’s most sought-after defenders.

89. Wilfried Zaha: Crystal Palace’s Game-Changer

Wilfried Zaha’s influence at Crystal Palace is immense; when he plays, the team’s attacking threat multiplies. Transitioning to a more central attacking role, he scored 7 goals and provided 2 assists in his first 10 league games of the season, doubling his previous campaign’s tally after just a handful of matches. Zaha’s impact cements his legacy at the club.

88. Kai Havertz: Transitional Year, Consistent Impact

Kai Havertz’s move to Chelsea capped a year of impressive performances at Bayer Leverkusen, where he scored 12 goals and provided 6 assists in league play, and made the Europa League squad of the season. Finding his role in England has taken time, but his potential remains high after being central to Leverkusen’s attack.

87. Aymeric Laporte: Exceptionally Talented but Unlucky

Manchester City’s defensive lynchpin, Aymeric Laporte, has faced injury setbacks that limited his appearances. Despite only playing 15 league matches in 2019-20 and a handful at the start of the next season, his class and defensive maturity reinforce why he is so highly regarded globally.

86. Bernardo Silva: Portugal’s Creative Spark

Once seen as David Silva’s heir at Manchester City, Bernardo Silva hasn’t consistently replicated his peak 2018-19 form. However, he continues to be a cornerstone for Portugal and regularly contributes to City’s play, offering flair and energy from midfield or the wing.

85. Marco Verratti: PSG’s Midfield Dynamo

Marco Verratti remains essential to Paris Saint-Germain and the Italian national team, combining creativity with tactical discipline. Despite recurring injuries, his performances in both domestic and Champions League matches highlight his ability to dictate tempo and unlock defenses.

84. Raúl Jiménez: Wolves’ Complete Forward

Raúl Jiménez is central to Wolverhampton Wanderers’ attacking structure, excelling as a scorer, creator, and link-up man. He scored 17 goals with 6 assists across all league matches last season, demonstrating his versatility and importance. His absence due to injury was immediately felt, underscoring his major role at the club.

83. Antoine Griezmann: Underrated but Essential

Though his Barcelona tenure has sparked mixed reviews, Antoine Griezmann’s work rate and flexibility continue to benefit both club and country. Forced to operate out of his preferred position, Griezmann’s tactical intelligence and attacking instincts remain invaluable, especially for France.

82. Diogo Jota: Liverpool’s Surprise Package

Diogo Jota made an immediate impact at Liverpool, seamlessly integrating into the attacking lineup and scoring 9 times in his first 15 appearances across league and Europe. Providing versatility and attacking depth, he also established himself within Portugal’s increasingly potent frontline.

81. Mason Mount: Chelsea’s Midfield Engine

Mason Mount’s ascent under Frank Lampard saw him become a key figure for Chelsea, holding his spot ahead of big-name arrivals thanks to his energy, creativity, and tactical discipline. While his goal contributions stood at one goal and two assists over 10 games in a deeper role, his influence on matches remains clear.

Honorable Mentions: Notable Players Missing the Cut

Several high-profile names narrowly missed inclusion in this year’s top 100, despite strong performances. Some notables include:

Conclusion

These selections represent the footballers who made a substantial impact in 2020, blending individual excellence with importance to their teams. As the countdown continues, stay tuned for players ranked 80 through 1, and share your own thoughts on who deserved a spot among the world’s best.

Further Reading

– La Pausa – Tactical Analysis
– Frank Lampard – Chelsea – Tactical Analysis
– Diego Simeone – Atletico Madrid – Tactical Analysis

Stay updated as the ranking continues to reveal football’s top performers of the year!