Positional Annual Best Player


This is an annual award of best player in the World by four categories in 1910s to 1920s and by seven category since 1930. By the way, Players could appear more than once position depend on position they played in each year. Note that between 1940 and 1945 is no assessment due to World War II.

Positional World Player of The Year (1910s - 1920s)

Goalkeeper
Defender
Midfielder
Forward

1920
Heinrich Stuhlfauth
Karoly Fogl
Karel-Pesek Kada
Arthur Friedenreich
1921
Americo Tesoriere
Renzo De Vecchi
Karel-Pesek Kada
Arthur Friedenreich
1922
Heinrich Stuhlfauth
Renzo De Vecchi
Gyorgi Orth
Manuel Seoane
1923
Elisha Scott
Jose Nasazzi
Alan Morton
Charlie Buchan
1924
Americo Tesoriere
Jose Nasazzi
Jose Leandro Andrade
Hector Scarone
1925
Ricardo Zamora
Roy Goodall
Josep Samitier
Hughie Gallacher
1926
Ricardo Zamora
William Mcstay
Jose Leandro Andrade
Hector Scarone
1927
Ferenc Platko
Roy Goodall
Karel-Pesek Kada
Hughie Gallacher
1928
Andres Mazali
Jose Nasazzi
Adolfo Baloncieri
Dixie Dean
1929
Ricardo Zamora
Juan Evaristo
Alan Morton
Jozsef Takacs




Positional World Player of The Year (1930s Onwards)

World’s Goalkeeper of the Year

1930
Rudolph Hiden
1931
Giampiero Combi
1932
Ricardo Zamora
1933
Giampiero Combi
1934
Ricardo Zamora
1935
Frantisek Plainicka
1936
Frantisek Planicka
1937
Frank Swift
1938
Frantisek Planicka
1939
Franjo Glaser
1946
Frank Swift
1947
Alexei Khomich
1948
Moacir Barbosa
1949
Sergio Livingstone
1950
Roque Maspoli
1951
Walter Zeman
1952
Vladimir Beara
1953
Walter Zeman
1954
Amadeo Carrizo
1955
Bert Trautmann
1956
Lev Yashin
1957
Vladimir Beara
1958
Harry Gregg
1959
Lev Yashin
1960
Lev Yashin
1961
Lev Yashin
1962
Gilmar
1963
Lev Yashin
1964
Giuliano Sarti
1965
Hans Tilkowski
1966
Gordon Banks
1967
Enrico Albertosi
1968
Dino Zoff
1969
Gordon Banks
1970
Ladislao Marzurkiewicz
1971
Jose Angel Iribar
1972
Gordon Banks
1973
Dino Zoff
1974
Jan Tomaszewski
1975
Sepp Maier
1976
Ivo Viktor
1977
Dino Zoff
1978
Ubaldo Fillol
1979
Ubaldo Fillol
1980
Peter Shilton
1981
Luis Arconada
1982
Rinat Dasaev
1983
Rinat Dasaev
1984
Toni Schumaccher
1985
Neville Southall
1986
Jean Marie-Pfaff
1987
Walter Zenga
1988
Rinat Dasaev
1989
Michael Preud'Homme
1990
Sergio Goycochea
1991
Walter Zenga
1992
Peter Schmeichel
1993
Peter Schmeichel
1994
Michael Preud'Homme
1995
Peter Schmeichel
1996
Jose Luis Chilavert
1997
Angelo Peruzzi
1998
Fabien Barthez
1999
Oliver Kahn
2000
Francesco Toldo
2001
Oliver Kahn
2002
Oliver Kahn
2003
Gianluigi Buffon
2004
Gianluigi Buffon
2005
Peter Cech
2006
Gianluigi Buffon
2007
Edwin Van Der Sar
2008
Iker Casillas
2009
Julio Cesar
2010
Iker Casillas
2011
Iker Casillas
2012
Iker Casillas
2013
Manuel Nauer
 2014 Manuel Neuer
 2015 Manuel Neuer
 2016 Gianluigi Buffon
 2017 Gianluigi Buffon
 2018 Thibaut Courtois 
 2019 Alisson
 2020 Manuel Neuer
 2021 Gianluigi Donnarumma
 2022 Thibaut Courtois 

By Winners

Lev Yashin : 5
Ricardo Zamora : 5 (Include 1920s)

Gianluigi Buffon : 5
Iker Casillas : 4
Frantisek Planicka : 4
Peter Schemichel : 3
Oliver Kahn : 3
Rinat Dasaev : 3
Gordon Banks : 3
Dino Zoff  : 3
Manuel Neuer : 3

By Nations

Italy :  17
Germany : 11
UK : 9
USSR :  9
Spain : 8
Czechoslovakia : 6
Belgium : 5
Argentina : 4
Brazil : 4
Yugoslavia : 3
Denmark : 3
RLA : 3
Austria : 3
Uruguay : 2
France : 1
Holland : 1
Poland : 1
Chile : 1

The Best Winner

1. Lev Yashin (1963)
2. Dino Zoff (1973)
3. Lev Yashin (1960)

The Worst Winner

1. Alexei Khomich (1947)
2. Sergio Livingstone (1949)
3. Rudolphe Hiden (1930)


World’s Defender of The Year

1930     Jose Nasazzi
1931     Josef Blum
1932     Eraldo Monzeglio
1933     Eddie Hapgood
1934     Jacinto Quincoces
1935     Jose Nasazzi
1936     Karl Sesta
1937     Paul Janes
1938     Domingos Da Guia
1939     Paul Janes
1946     Pietro Rava
1947     Carlo Parola
1948     Branko Stankovic
1949     Neil Flanklin
1950     Erik Nilsson
1951     Victor Rodriguez Andrade
1952     Billy Wright
1953     Djalma Santos
1954     Jose Santamaria
1955     Robert Jonquet
1956     Victor Rodriguez Andrade
1957     Billy Wright
1958     Nilton Santos
1959     Djalma Santos
1960     Jose Santamaria
1961     Djalma Santos
1962     Karlheinz Schnellinger
1963     Karlheinz Schnellinger
1964     Bobby Moore
1965     Giacinto Facchetti
1966     Bobby Moore
1967     Tommy Gemmell
1968     Giacinto Facchetti
1969     Carlos Alberto
1970     Bobby Moore
1971     Giacinto Facchetti
1972     Franz Beckenbauer
1973     Berti Vogts
1974     Franz Beckenbauer
1975     Elias Figueroa
1976     Franz Beckenbauer
1977     Elias Figueroa
1978     Daniel Passarella
1979     Ruud Krol
1980     Daniel Passarella
1981     Gaetano Scirea
1982     Gaetano Scirea
1983     Antonio Cabrini
1984     Karlheinz Forster
1985     Hans Peter Briegel
1986     Manuel Amoros
1987     Franco Baresi
1988     Ronald Koeman
1989     Franco Baresi
1990     Franco Baresi
1991     Franco Baresi
1992     Franco Baresi
1993     Paolo Maldini
1994     Paolo Maldini
1995     Matthias Sammer
1996     Matthias Sammer
1997     Lilian Thuram
1998     Lilian Thuram
1999     Jaap Stam
2000     Roberto Carlos
2001     Alessandro Nesta
2002     Roberto Carlos
2003     Alessandro Nesta
2004     Alessandro Nesta
2005     Fabio Cannavaro
2006     Fabio Cannavaro
2007     John Terry
2008     Rio Ferdinand
2009     John Terry
2010     Maicon
2011     Nemanja Vidic
2012     Phillip Lahm
2013     Phillip Lahm
2014     Sergio Ramos
2015     Daniel Alves
2016     Pepe
2017     Sergio Ramos
2018     Raphael Varane
2019     Virgil Van Dijk
2020     Joshua Kimmich
2021     Leonardo Bonucci
2022     Virgil Van Dijk

By Nations

Italy : 21
Germany : 16
Brazil : 10
England : 10
France : 6
Netherlands : 5
Uruguay : 5
Yugoslavia : 3
Spain : 3
Argentina : 2
RLA : 2
Austria : 2 
Scandinavia : 1
Portugal : 1
Scotland : 1

By Winners

Franco Baresi : 5
Jose Nasazzi (Includes 1920s)
Giacinto Facchetti : 4
Franz Beckenbauer : 3
Paolo Maldini : 3
Bobby Moore : 3


The Best Winner

1. Franz Beckenbauer (1974)
2. Franz Beckenbauer (1972)
3. Franco Baresi (1990)

The Worst Winner

1. Umberto Caligaris (1931)
2. Erik Nisson (1950)


Sub-List of Defender

World’s Defensive Lateral of The Year

1946     Carlos Sosa
1947     Schubert Gambetta
1948     Branko Stankovic
1949     Branko Stankovic
1950     Erik Nilsson
1951     Victor Rodriguez Andrade
1952     Joan Segarra
1953     Djalma Santos
1954     Victor Rodriguez Andrade
1955     Victor Rodriguez Andrade
1956     Sergio Cervato
1957     Nilton Santos
1958     Nilton Santos
1959     Djalma Santos
1960     Djalma Santos
1961     Djalma Santos
1962     Karlheinz Schnellinger
1963     Karlheinz Schnellinger
1964     Karlheinz Schnellinger
1965     Giacinto Facchetti
1966     Giacinto Facchetti
1967     Tommy Gemmell
1968     Giacinto Facchetti
1969     Carlos Alberto
1970     Carlos Alberto
1971     Giacinto Facchetti
1972     Ruud Krol
1973     Giacinto Facchetti
1974     Berti Vogts
1975     Berti Vogts
1976     Ruud Krol
1977     Danny Mcgrain
1978     Phil Neal
1979     Manfred Kaltz
1980     Rafael Gordillo
1981     Junior
1982     Junior
1983     Antonio Cabrini
1984     Antonio Cabrini
1985     Hans Peter Briegel
1986     Manuel Amoros
1987     Manuel Amoros
1988     Eric Gerets
1989     Andreas Brehme
1990     Andreas Brehme
1991     Branco
1992     Paolo Maldini
1993     Paolo Maldini
1994     Jorginho
1995     Paolo Maldini
1996     Lilian Thuram
1997     Lilian Thuram
1998     Lilian Thuram
1999     Lilian Thuram
2000     Roberto Carlos
2001     Bixente Lizarazu
2002     Roberto Carlos
2003     Roberto Carlos
2004     Gianluca Zambrotta
2005     Javier Zanetti
2006     Gianluca Zambrotta
2007     Daniel Alves
2008     Maicon
2009     Daniel Alves
2010     Maicon
2011     Eric Abidal
2012     Phillip Lahm
2013     Phillip Lahm
2014     David Alaba
2015     Daniel Alves
2016     Marcelo
2017     Marcelo
2018     Marcelo
2019     Daniel Alves
2020     Joshua Kimmich
2021     David Alaba
2022     Trent Alexander Arnold

By Winners

Giacinto Facchetti : 5
Lilian Thuram : 4
Nilton Santos : 4
Djalma Santos : 3
Roberto Carlos : 3
Marcelo : 3


World’s Central Defender of The Year

1946     Sandor Szuc
1947     Neil Franklin
1948     Billy Wright
1949     Neil Franklin
1950     John Charles
1951     Cor Van Der Hart
1952     Billy Wright
1953     Robert Jonquet
1954     Jose Santamaria
1955     Robert Jonquet
1956     Jose Santamaria
1957     Billy Wright
1958     Billy Wright
1959     Jose Santamaria
1960     Jose Santamaria
1961     Germano
1962     Jan Popluhar
1963     Mauro Ramos
1964     Bobby Moore
1965     Armando Picchi
1966     Bobby Moore
1967     Murtaz Khurtsilava
1968     Bobby Moore
1969     Velibor Vasovic
1970     Bobby Moore
1971     Franz Beckenbauer
1972     Franz Beckenbauer
1973     Franz Beckenbauer
1974     Franz Beckenbauer
1975     Elias Figueroa
1976     Franz Beckenbauer
1977     Elias Figueroa
1978     Daniel Passarella
1979     Ruud Krol
1980     Daniel Passarella
1981     Gaetano Scirea
1982     Gaetano Scirea
1983     Pietro Vierchowod
1984     Karlheinz Forster
1985     Alan Hansen
1986     Karlheinz Forster
1987     Franco Baresi
1988     Ronald Koeman
1989     Franco Baresi
1990     Franco Baresi
1991     Franco Baresi
1992     Franco Baresi
1993     Franco Baresi
1994     Paolo Maldini
1995     Matthias Sammer
1996     Matthias Sammer
1997     Jurgen Kohler
1998     Marcel Desailly
1999     Jaap Stam
2000     Alessandro Nesta
2001     Alessandro Nesta
2002     Lucio
2003     Alessandro Nesta
2004     Paolo Maldini
2005     Fabio Cannavaro
2006     Fabio Cannavaro
2007     Rio Ferdinand
2008     John Terry
2009     John Terry
2010     Carles Puyol
2011     Nemanja Vidic
2012     Sergio Ramos
2013     Thiago Silva
2014     Sergio Ramos
2015     Sergio Ramos
2016     Pepe
2017     Sergio Ramos
2018     Raphael Varane
2019     Virgil Van Dijk
2020     Virgil Van Dijk
2021     Leonardo Bonucci
2022     Virgil Van Dijk

By Winners

Franco Baresi : 6
Franz Beckenbauer : 5
Bobby Moore : 4
Jose Santamaria : 4
Billy Wright : 4
Alessandro Nesta : 3
Jacinto Quincoces : 3
Sergio Ramos : 3
Virgil Van Dijk : 3


World’s Defensive & Central Midfielder of The Year

1930     Jose Leandro Andrade
1931     Josef Smistik
1932     Walter Nausch
1933     Luis Monti
1934     Luis Monti
1935     Gyorgi Sarosi
1936     Michele Andreolo
1937     Ludwig Goldbrunner
1938     Michele Andreolo
1939     Michele Andreolo
1946     Obdulio Varela
1947     Nestor Rossi
1948     Danilo Alvim
1949     Ernst Ocwirk
1950     Obdulio Varela
1951     Nestor Rossi
1952     Jozsef Bozsik
1953     Ernst Ocwirk
1954     Jozsef Bozsik
1955     Igor Netto
1956     Jozsef Bozsik
1957     Duncan Edwards
1958     Danny Blanchflower
1959     Dino Sani
1960     Horst Szymaniak
1961     Josef Masopust
1962     Zito
1963     Dave Mackay
1964     Valery Voronin
1965     Jim Baxter
1966     Franz Beckenbauer
1967     Franz Beckenbauer
1968     Franz Beckenbauer
1969     Willem Van Hanegem
1970     Willem Van Hanegem
1971     Jose Pirri
1972     Johan Neeskens
1973     Billy Bremner
1974     Johan Neeskens
1975     Jose Pirri
1976     Osvaldo Ardiles
1977     Marco Tardelli
1978     Osvaldo Ardiles
1979     Falcao
1980     Wilfreid Van Moer
1981     Paul Breitner
1982     Falcao
1983     Falcao
1984     Jean Tigana
1985     Junior
1986     Soren Lerby
1987     Lothar Matthaeus
1988     Frank Rijkaard
1989     Frank Rijkaard
1990     Lothar Matthaeus
1991     Lothar Matthaeus
1992     Frank Rijkaard
1993     Mauro Silva
1994     Carlos Dunga
1995     Paolo Sousa
1996     Didier Deschamps
1997     Fernando Redondo
1998     Edgar Davids
1999     Fernando Redondo
2000     Roy Keane
2001     Stefan Effenberg
2002     Michael Ballack
2003     Patrice Vieira
2004     Steven Gerrard
2005     Claude Makelele
2006     Steven Gerrard
2007     Mikael Essein
2008     Xavi Hernandez
2009     Xavi Hernandez
2010     Xavi Hernandez
2011     Xavi Hernandez
2012     Xabi Alonso
2013     Bastian Schweinsteiger
2014     Phillip Lahm
2015     Paul Pogba
2016     Luka Modric
2017     Luka Modric
2018     Luka Modric
2019     Frankie De Jong
2020     Thiago Alcantara
2021     N'Golo Kante
2022     Luka Modric

By Winners

Jose Leandro Andrade : 5 (Includes 1920s)
Lothar Matthaeus : 4
Xavi Hernandez  : 4
Luka Modric : 4
Franz Beckenbauer : 3
Frank Rijkaard : 3
Jozsef Bozsik : 3
Fernando Redondo : 3

By Nations

Germany : 12
Brazil  :  11
Holland : 10
UK  :  8
Argentina : 8
Spain  :  8
France : 6
Uruguay :  5
Hungary : 4
Croatia : 4
Austria : 3
Balkan : 2
Soviet Union : 2
Italy : 1
Czechoslovakia : 1
Portugal : 1
Belgium : 1
Ghana : 1

The Best Winner

1. Didi (1958)
2. Lothar Matthaus (1990)
3. Falcao (1982)

The Worst Winner

1. Mirolad Arsenijevic (1932)
2. Gheorghe Popescu (1993)
3. Michele Andreolo (1939)


World’s Offensive Lateral of The Year

1930     Carlos Peucelle
1931     Raimundo Orsi
1932     Raimundo Orsi
1933     Cliff Bastin
1934     Karl Zischek
1935     Cliff Bastin
1936     Arne Brustud
1937     Ernest Lehner
1938     Enrique Garcia
1939     Enrique Garcia
1946     Felix Loustau
1947     Stanley Matthews
1948     Stanley Matthews
1949     Karl Aage Praest
1950     Alcides Ghiggia
1951     Tom Finney
1952     Helmut Rahn
1953     Zoltan Czibor
1954     Zoltan Czibor
1955     Bernard Vukas
1956     Julinho
1957     Raymond Kopa
1958     Garrincha
1959     Francisco Gento
1960     Garrincha
1961     Garrincha
1962     Garrincha
1963     Pepe
1964     Amancio
1965     Mario Corso
1966     Ferenc Bene
1967     Jimmy Johnstone
1968     George Best
1969     Dragan Dzajic
1970     Jairzinho
1971     George Best
1972     Piet Keizer
1973     Jairzinho
1974     Grzegorz Lato
1975     Grzegorz Lato
1976     Rene Houseman
1977     Daniel Bertoni
1978     Rob Rensenbrink
1979     Zbigniew Boniek
1980     Bruno Conti
1981     Zbigniew Boniek
1982     Zbigniew Boniek
1983     Eder
1984     Bruno Conti
1985     Zbigniew Boniek
1986     Michel Gonzalez
1987     Paolo Futre
1988     John Barnes
1989     Michel Gonzalez
1990     Cris Waddle
1991     Dejan Savicevic
1992     Brian Laudrup
1993     David Ginola
1994     Marc Overmars
1995     Dejan Savicevic
1996     Thomas Haesler
1997     Brain Laudrup
1998     Ariel Ortega
1999     Luis Figo
2000     Luis Figo
2001     Luis Figo
2002     Pavel Nedved
2003     Ronaldinho
2004     Ronaldinho
2005     Ronaldinho
2006     Ronaldinho
2007     Cristiano Ronaldo
2008     Cristiano Ronaldo
2009     Cristiano Ronaldo
2010     Arjen Robben
2011     Nani
2012     Franck Ribery
2013     Franck Ribery
2014     Arjen Robben
2015     Eden Hazard
2016     Gareth Bale
2017     Eden Hazard  
2018     Eden Hazard
2019     Eden Hazard 
2020     Sadio Mane
2021    Raheem Sterling
2022    Sadio Mane


By Winners

Garrincha : 4
Ronaldinho : 4
Zbigniew Boniek : 4
Luis Figo : 3
Cristiano Ronaldo : 3
Eden Hazard : 3


By Nations

Brazil : 12
UK : 10
Argentina : 9
Portugal : 8
Poland : 6
Belgium : 4
Holland : 5
Scandinavia : 4
France : 4
Yugoslavia : 4
Italy : 3
Spain : 3
Hungary : 3
Germany : 3
Senegal : 2
Austria : 1
Czechoslovakia : 1
Wales : 1
Denmark : 1
Uruguay : 1

The Best Winner

1. Garrincha (1962)
2. George Best (1968)
3. Ronaldinho (2005)

The Worst Winner

1. Arne Brustud (1936)
2. Claudio Caniggia (1990)
3. Enrique Garcia (1939)

World’s Offensive Midfielder of The Year

1930     Manuel Ferreira
1931     Friedicj Gschweidl
1932     Giovanni Ferrari
1933     Alex James
1934     Giovanni Ferrari
1935     Alex James
1936     Puck Van Heel
1937     Fritz Szepan
1938     Antonio Sastre
1939     Antonio Sastre
1946     Adolfo Pedernera
1947     Valentino Mazzola
1948     Valentino Mazzola
1949     Zizinho
1950     Zizinho
1951     Nils Liedholm
1952     Juan Schiaffino
1953     Raymond Kopa
1954     Fritz Walter
1955     Raymond Kopa
1956     Raymond Kopa
1957     Didi
1958     Didi
1959     Alfredo Di Stefano
1960     Luis Suarez
1961     Luis Suarez
1962     Josef Masopust
1963     Gianni Rivera
1964     Luis Suarez
1965     Luis Suarez
1966     Bobby Charlton
1967     Bobby Charlton
1968     Bobby Charlton
1969     Gianni Rivera
1970     Gerson
1971     Sandro Mazzola
1972     Gunther Netzer
1973     Rivelino
1974     Rivelino
1975     Teofilo Cubillas
1976     Zico
1977     Zico
1978     Michel Platini
1979     Zico
1980     Zico
1981     Zico
1982     Zico
1983     Michel Platini
1984     Michel Platini
1985     Diego Maradona
1986     Diego Maradona
1987     Ruud Gullit
1988     Ruud Gullit
1989     Diego Maradona
1990     Diego Maradona
1991     Enzo Scifo
1992     Michael Laudrup
1993     Michael Laudrup
1994     Gheorghe Hagi
1995     Michael Laudrup
1996     Rui Costa
1997     Zinedine Zidane
1998     Zinedine Zidane
1999     Rui Costa
2000     Zinedine Zidane
2001     Zinedine Zidane
2002     Zinedine Zidane
2003     Pavel Nedved
2004     Zinedine Zidane
2005     Frank Lampard
2006     Zinedine Zidane
2007     Kaka
2008     Kaka
2009     Steven Gerrard
2010     Wesley Sneijder
2011     Andres Iniesta
2012     Andres Iniesta
2013     Andres Iniesta
2014     Toni Kroos
2015     Andres Iniesta
2016     Toni Kroos
2017     Toni Kroos
2018     Kevin De Bruyne
2019     Bernardo Silva
2020     Kevin De Bruyne
2021     Jorginho
2022     Kevin De Bruyne


By Winners

Zinedine Zidane : 7
Zico : 6
Diego Maradona : 4
Luis Suarez : 4
Andres Iniesta : 4
Raymond Kopa : 3
Michel Platini : 3
Bobby Charlton : 3
Andres Iniesta : 3
Toni Kroos : 3
Kevin De Bruyne : 3


By Nations

Brazil : 15
France : 14
Argentina : 9
Spain : 8
Italy : 8
UK : 7
Germany : 6
Scandinavia : 4
Holland : 4
RLA : 3
Belgium : 3
Balkan : 2
Portugal : 2
Czechoslovakia : 2
Uruguay : 1
Austria : 1
Hungary : 1
Peru : 1
Portugal : 1


The Best Winner

1. Zico (1981)
2. Diego Maradona (1986)
3. Diego Maradona (1985)

The Worst Winner

1. Anical Ciocca (1936)
2. Alex James (1931)
3. Luliu Baratky (1933)


World’s Forward of The Year

1930     Giuseppe Meazza
1931     Giuseppe Meazza
1932     Matthias Sindelar
1933     Matthias Sindelar
1934     Giuseppe Meazza
1935     Matthias Sindelar
1936     Giuseppe Meazza
1937     Gyorgi Sarosi
1938     Gyorgi Sarosi
1939     Jose Manuel Moreno
1946     Angel Labruna
1947     Alfredo Di Stefano
1948     Ferenc Puskas
1949     Ferenc Puskas
1950     Ferenc Puskas
1951     Alfredo Di Stefano
1952     Ferenc Puskas
1953     Ferenc Puskas
1954     Nandor Hidegkuti
1955     Alfredo Di Stefano
1956     Alfredo Di Stefano
1957     Alfredo Di Stefano
1958     Pele
1959     Pele
1960     Ferenc Puskas
1961     Pele
1962     Pele
1963     Pele
1964     Pele
1965     Pele
1966     Florian Albert
1967     Florian Albert
1968     Pele
1969     Tostao
1970     Tostao
1971     Johan Cruyff
1972     Johan Cruyff
1973     Johan Cruyff
1974     Johan Cruyff
1975     Oleg Blokhin
1976     Rob Rensenbrink
1977     Allan Simonsen
1978     Mario Kempes
1979     Diego Maradona
1980     Diego Maradona
1981     Karlheinz Rummenigge
1982     Karlheinz Rummenigge
1983     Karlheinz Rummenigge
1984     Enzo Francescoli
1985     Enzo Francescoli
1986     Igor Belanov
1987     Emilio Butragueno
1988     Gianluca Vialli
1989     Bebeto
1990     Roberto Baggio
1991     Hristo Stoichkov
1992     Dennis Bergkamp
1993     Roberto Baggio
1994     Hristo Stoichkov
1995     Gianfranco Zola
1996     Dennis Bergkamp
1997     Dennis Bergkamp
1998     Rivaldo
1999     Rivaldo
2000     Rivaldo
2001     Raul Gonzalez
2002     Thierry Henry
2003     Thierry Henry
2004     Thierry Henry
2005     Thierry Henry
2006     Thierry Henry
2007     Lionel Messi
2008     Lionel Messi
2009     Lionel Messi
2010     Lionel Messi
2011     Lionel Messi
2012     Lionel Messi
2013     Lionel Messi
2014     Cristiano Ronaldo
2015     Lionel Messi
2016     Cristiano Ronaldo
2017     Lionel Messi
2018     Cristiano Ronaldo
2019     Lionel Messi
2020    Cristiano Ronaldo
2021    Lionel Messi
2022    Lionel Messi


By Winners

Lionel Messi : 12
Pele : 8
Ferenc Puskas : 6
Alfredo Di Stefano : 5
Thierry Henry : 5
Johan Cruyff : 4
Giusepe Meazza : 4
Cristiano Ronaldo : 4
Karlheinz Rummenigge : 3
Rivaldo : 3
Dennis Bergkamp : 3


By Nations

Argentina : 22
Brazil : 14
Hungary : 11
Italy : 7
Holland : 6
France : 5
Spain : 3
Portugal : 3
Soviet Union : 2
Austria : 2
Uruguay : 2
Scandinavia : 1

The Best Winner

1. Pele (1963)
2. Lionel Messi (2012)
3. Johan Cruyff (1972)

The Worst Winner

1. Emilio Butragueno (1988)
2. Lionel Messi (2007)
3. Ihor Belanov (1986)


World’s Striker of The Year

1931     Jozsef Takacs
1930     Richard Hofmann
1932     Dixie Dean
1933     Franz Binder
1934     Isidro Langara
1935     Isidro Langara
1936     Jimmy Mcgrory
1937     Arsenio Erico
1938     Josef Bican
1939     Arsenio Erico
1946     Telmo Zarra
1947     Rene Pontoni
1948     Gunnar Nordahl
1949     Ferenc Deak
1950     Ademir De Menezes
1951     Gunnar Nordahl
1952     Sandor Kocsis
1953     Nat Lofthouse
1954     Sandor Kocsis
1955     Eduard Streltsov
1956     Nat Lofthouse
1957     John Charles
1958     Just Fontaine
1959     John Charles
1960     Uwe Seeler
1961     Uwe Seeler
1962     Jimmy Greaves
1963     Denis Law
1964     Denis Law
1965     Eusebio
1966     Eusebio
1967     Luigi Riva
1968     Eusebio
1969     Luigi Riva
1970     Gerd Muller
1971     Gerd Muller
1972     Gerd Muller
1973     Gerd Muller
1974     Gerd Muller
1975     Fernando Morena
1976     Roberto Bettega
1977     Reinaldo
1978     Han Krankl
1979     Paolo Rossi
1980     Erwin Vandenbergh
1981     Roberto Dinamite
1982     Paolo Rossi
1983     Rudi Voller
1984     Ian Rush
1985     Preben Elkjaer
1986     Gary Lineker
1987     Hugo Sanchez
1988     Marco Van Basten
1989     Marco Van Basten
1990     Jean Pierre Papin
1991     Jean Pierre Papin
1992     Marco Van Basten
1993     Romario
1994     Romario
1995     George Weah
1996     Ronaldo
1997     Ronaldo
1998     Ronaldo
1999     Gabriel Batistuta
2000     Andriy Shevchenko
2001     Michael Owen
2002     Ronaldo
2003     Ruud Van Nistelrooy
2004     Andriy Shevchenko
2005     Andriy Shevchenko
2006     Samuel Eto'o
2007     Didier Drogba
2008     Fernando Torres
2009     David Villa
2010     David Villa
2011     Radamel Falcao
2012     Zlaton Ibrahimovic
2013     Zlaton Ibrahimovic
2014     Diego Costa
2015     Robert Lewandowki
2016     Robert Lewandowki
2017     Edin Dzeko
2018     Harry Kane
2019     Robert Lewandowki
2020     Robert Lewandowki
2021     Robert Lewandowki
2022     Erling Haaland

By Winners

Gerd Muller : 5
Robert Lewandowki : 5
Ronaldo : 4
Eusebio : 3
Marco Van Basten : 3
Andriy Shevchenko : 3


By Nations

UK : 13
Germany : 9
Brazil : 9
Spain : 7
Poland : 6
Italy : 5
RLA : 5
Hungary : 4
Scandinavia : 4
Soviet Union : 4
Holland : 4
Africa : 3
Portugal : 3
Austria : 3
Argentina : 2
France : 2
Uruguay : 1
Norway : 1

The Best Winner

1. Ronaldo (1997)
2. Eusebio (1965)
3. Ronaldo (1996)

The Worst Winner

1. Erwin Vandenbergh (1980)
2. Fernando Morena (1975)
3. Roberto Dinamite (1981)
_________________________________________________________________________________

Statistics of All Positions

By Nations

Brazil : 74
Italy : 61
UK : 56
Germany : 56
Argentina : 56
Spain : 39
France : 37
Holland : 35
Hungary : 23
Portugal : 19
Uruguay : 17
Scandinavia : 18
Soviet Union : 16
Yugoslavia : 14
Rest of Latin Americas : 13
Belgium : 12




88 comments:

  1. WHERE IS ELKJAER?
    1984. 1985. 1986.-where is elkjaer

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Please specify why he should be ahead of Rush, Voller and Lineker in respective years.

      Delete
    2. You could tell me which are the best rated individual seasons of each position, but at least 6 or 10

      Delete
  2. and Michael Laudrup only two years? Scifo better then Miki in 1991? Hassler in 1992? Hagi in 1994? Why Hagi? Because he played good in world cup!? No chance! Have a nice day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. First two seasons of M.Laudrup in La Liga is seen as the year of adjustment for new circumstance. He is rated below top twenty by Don Balon Award in the 1990 – 1991 season (Schuster and Bakero was rated higher than him) while Scifo achieved the best season in his career in Italy. There was not a top-class performance of Hagi in club career and there was not many great candidates in his position. Anyway, I could agree to replace Haesler by M.Laudrup in 1992 for his better prime in the 1992 European Cup although absent in the most important tournament at UEFA Euro.

      Delete
  3. In 1984. Rush was better in statistics and trophies, but Elkjaer was a better for eyes. In "ballon d or", Ekjaer was a third, and Rush was fourth. In 1985. Voller played for Werder whitout trophies and finished 11. in "ballon d or". Elkjaer was a second in 1985.- "ballon d or", and he was created miracle in serie A. He also played perfect in national team. 1986. Lineker was a second, and Elkjaer was a fourth in "ballon d or". Both players without trophies. For me, Rush, Voller and Lineker were classic shooters, but Elkjær he excelled in all aspects of the offensive game. I must admit that for me is a big surprise to the player as he was Elkjær, which is in the three to four years was a "side by side" Platini and Maradona are not quoted better.
    His style of play was very distinctive and exciting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'd not take all Ballon'dor place seriously since it is depend on voter's personal views and some of those have been criticized. Hence, We should have analysed performance of player to check whether Ballon'Dor result has been reasonable. As I check again, I admit that Elkjaer was an omission in 1985, could replace Voller who was outstanding only in club career while Elkjaer was remarkable for both club and NT. In 1984, I see rush had a difficult time with playing at his nation, had no goal in four games participation, certainly below what Elkjaer contributed for his nation in the 84 UEFA Euro. Nevertheless, Rush was a key player of Liverpool in triple champion (League, League Cup and European Cup) and Elkjaer was not evaluated in top five best player in Belgian Golden Shoe. That let me to save Rush in his place. In 1986, Elkjaer was seen to decline in his club performance at Verona according to media rating. Lineker achieved his best season in this year and it has been debatable about Elkjaer's Bronze Ball in the World Cup as Denmark was ended the tournament at only second round as a record-break lose to Spain 5-1.

      Delete
  4. I know I'm boring, but after commend this your idea of ​​all these great football players, I will have a little look back at Michael Laudrup neglect in these your choices. If Iniesta, Beckenbauer, Raul, Figo, Cruyff, Romario, Javier Clemente, Stoichkov and others talk about Laudrup in such superlatives (can be seen in Wikipedia Laudrup), I think I can write that unjustifiably neglected in all these elections. Michael Laudrup is one of the 5-6 best players of the world in the last 40 years, and there has not been included in the 50 best players of the world all the time. Best regards!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your cite the mentions of many great football personalities on M.Laudrup and applied to the ranking is just deviated from the corrective correlation. Laudrup is undoubtedly one of the most talent playmakers ever but he several times could not fulfill his potential. You cannot ignore what Platini and Cruyff mentioned that he was the best player in training and one of the best player who is most difficult to work with.

      Delete
  5. I am satisfied with your answers. I think these are relatively objective. I'm not a Dane, but the "Danish Dynamite" will stay in my memory for a lifetime. Of course, most Michael Laudrup. I do not know if you've seen documentaries Sky Sports on the 25 best players of the world all the time because Laudrup is also included here. I follow this site every day and I am very satisfied. However, I would still ask, do Puyol, Sergio Ramos and Paul Scholes also do not deserve a better position? Best regards!

    ReplyDelete
  6. The truth is this for Platini. Cruyff but it is still much more elevated than criticized. One can not ignore the fact that said Beckenbauer. For him Laudrup the best player in the 90s. For Iniesta is the best of all time. Raul best with which he played. For Figo best against which he played. For Robert Galia, he did unbelievable things of Maradona, Platini and Baggio. etc. .... He was elected best player of the Primera 1974-1999. I think that says a lot. Good night!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I think you should also revise your Positional Annual Best Player list before 1930.
    It probably does not reflect your current opinion any more.
    I have found the following inconsistencies compared with your Top3 European and South American lists:
    In 1921 you still have Scarone as the best forward, but the best American is Friedenreich.
    In 1924 you still have Petrone as the best forward, but the best American is Scarone.
    In 1925 was Meiklejohn still a better midfielder than Andrade?
    In 1926 you still have Camsell as the best forward, but the best European is now Alex Jackson, also a forward. Perhaps even Scarone was better.
    In 1927 Pesek is the best midfielder, but he is not in the European top3. Does it mean that Andrade, a midfielder and the best American, is not better than the 4th European? It can, I am just interested in your opinion.
    In 1928 you still have Scarone as the best midfielder, but the best American is Andrade, also a midfielder.

    Regards,
    Karoly

    ReplyDelete
  8. In 1925, I've changed my mind to select Karel Pesek Kada as the best midfielder (J.Leandro Andrade did not play for his nation in that year)
    In 1926, I'm not sure Jackson should be considered as FW as his position should be comparable to winger today.I agree to replace Camsell who played in second division by Scarone.
    In 1927, Oh ! You can find it, Actually J.Leandro Andrade must be the best midfielder.

    Now I have revised other points than your notification.

    ReplyDelete
  9. The years on this list are "Seasonal Years" or "Calendar Years"?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Primarily Calendar year but the fact that it is difficult to rate player across seasons properly, I'd prefer switch to seasonal year but it has to spend long time as a future plan.

      Delete
  10. I mistook to name Sam Hardy as the best keeper in the World between 1917 and 1919 where he actually did not play any league game due to World War I. Thereby I have revised. I also name Billy McCracken as the best DF in the World in 1911 replace Bob Crompton.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Dear, Readers

    I just add best annual winners and worst annual winners in each position.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi!

    Could you please explain me why you have named Leo Messi as the best forward of 2014? As much as I love him (and as much as I hate C. Ronaldo), Cristiano Ronaldo has clearly done better than him this year...

    Davide

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This ranking is based on seasonal year 2013 - 2014 include World Cup. Criteria give more proportion to world cup than UEFA Champion league. That means Messi is clearly advantageous. In domestic (La Liga + Copa Del Rey), they're considered equally.

      Delete
    2. I understand, but if you consider the whole season, Ronaldo:
      - has scored more than Messi in the Spanish championship;
      - has scored much more than Messi in the Champions League, and has set a new record for number of goals in a single edition;
      - has won the Spanish Cup
      - has won the UEFA Champions League

      Messi hasn't won anything (and trust me, I'm sorry for that).

      It is true that Messi reached the final of the World Cup, but he has only scored in the group stage against weak teams, and in the 8th-finals, quarter finals, semifinals and final his contribution to the team has been less and less. He has won the award as the best player of the competition, but I (and I think you as well) have many doubts about this prize...

      Davide

      Delete
    3. Messi did not superb in world cup and is not deserved the best player of the tournament but still has a far distance of superior to C.Ronaldo who was even failed partially due to injury.Messi did not fail in UCL even had some amount of world-class performance. If consider average distance between them in both international competition, Messi is clearly advantageous.

      Delete
  13. Ok, I don't completely agree with you but I see your point.

    Could you please tell me where do you find the statistics for players being "world class" or "international class" in each season? Are they available on the internet? I would really really like to read them!

    Thanks,
    Davide

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anyway if consider only peak regardless of competition level partition, C.Ronaldo has a higher peak in UCL but world cup is important enough as a basic requirement of best player in the world.

      Delete
    2. Bigsoccer.com has provided many rating evidences but only Kicker rates player in the class format. Other than that, I apply point rating, awards and statistics to classify performance of players by myself.

      Delete
  14. Where is Hughie Gallacher ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. His peak season at 1926 – 1927 was performed in only half of season and in the next season, it is unfortunate for him as Dixie Dean scores phenomenon record of goals.

      Delete
  15. I am sometimes really fascinating, as are neglected players from Denmark. I am from the former Yugoslavia. "Danish Dynamite" was one of my favorite teams. I wonder by which criteria Lothar Matthaus in 1986 was better than Soren Lerby? "France Football" - 1985- Lerby was the 13th player of Europe, and Matthaus did not get the vote, 1986- Lerby was the 14th player of Europe, and Matthaus 25th player. By "Kicker" that looks like this:

    1984-85
    2.46 Sören Lerby
    2.58Lothar Matthäus
    2.74 Gerhard Bold
    2.85 Olaf Thon
    2.86 Ralf Falkenmayer

    1985-86
    2:27 Norbert Meier
    2.65 Sören Lerby
    2.72 Asgeir Sigurvinsson
    2.73 Karl Allgöwer
    2.88 Thomas Zechel

    These are the best midfielders Bundesliga


    At the World Championships in Mexico Matthaus has not been chosen in the best team, although Germany came to the final of the Mundial where mainly talk about Denmark, USSR and Diego Maradona. Best Wishes!

    ReplyDelete
  16. 1986 Lerby was in all segments better player than Matthäus. They played and in the same club. Later Matthaus will of course skip Lerby in all segments. Put Luis Fernandez front Lerby on the position of central midfielder is very funny.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OK, you have a reasonable point s provided. I also check in dbscalcio which Lerby is rated at 6.57 in 1985 - 1986 while Matthus received only 6.33. I'm OK to raise Lerby ahead of Luis Fernandez

      Delete
    2. Thank You!

      Delete
  17. Morten Olsen- 1983- best defender, 17. place (balon d or- best position defender)
    1984- 6.place (world soccer), in "balon d or" only Briegel is better. 3.place in Belgian championship.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I think you should a ranking based on country. I.e the 100 greatest English players. Would be an interesting read

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is partially available in international legendary museum xtralegend.blogspot.com
      In each nation or nation group, I have made the list of best players, in example, top 50 British player ever.

      Delete
  19. 1991. best offensive midfielder can be only prosinecki or michael laudrup!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. M.Laudrup was not in his brilliant performance in 1991. Prosinecki finished 4th in 1991 Ballon'dor is questionable when he did not even won Croatian player of the year which was given to Boban. Note that players are selected based on calendar year and Prosinecki was out for almost the whole of second half.

      Delete
  20. This is incorrect. In calendar 1991, Laudrup was a brilliant. 1991 began war beetwen Croatia and Serbia. Prosinecki played for serbian club. That's the only reason why he was not the best player in Croatia.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Laudrup was rated by Don Balon at 21st best player in the 1990 - 1991 season. Anyway, another source "EL Mundo" rated him in fourth place. Anyway, this season is not one of the best of his so why I said it is not his brilliant performance. Moreover, Laudrup did not participate in international games with Denmark in this year, is disadvantageous to Scifo even his club performance is better.

      Delete
  21. and best winger in 1990 was a Waddle. He was better then Caniggia

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As reviewed, I agree on this comment. Caniggia was in his peak in the 1991 - 1992 season but the second half of the 1990 - 1991 season is below international standard. Waddle is better in overall.

      Delete
  22. Im not sure for Scifo abd Laudrup. Horever, for me best player for that position in 1991 is Prosinecki. But yes, he was injury when he came to Real

    ReplyDelete
  23. Congratulations!!
    Who are the best defensive lateral, central defensive, central midfielder, offensive lateral, offensive midfielder forward and striker from 1910-1920? I can only see the, Goalkeeper, Defender, Midfielder, Forward. without any specification. Thank you very much for your work. A fan.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There was no defensive lateral in that era. For other positions as following ;
      Central Midfielder : Obviously Jose Leandro Andrade
      Offensive Midfielder : Gyorgi Orth but he was sometimes switched to FW and CM position
      Offensive Lateral : I think it should be Alan Morton since you’re not include 1900s when Billy Meredith also spent his career at that period.
      Forward : Obviously Hector Scarone
      Striker : Obviously Arthur Friedenreich

      Delete
  24. Very interesting job!

    However can you explain why in 2014 Best Centre Back, Ramos is ahead of Godín? Ramos scores important goals (CL final) it's true, but wasn't exactly the best. Godín was a key member of At. Madrid champions 2013/2014 (and best defender - shame for LFP Awards) and appear in the UEFA Best Team and UCL Team of the Year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Uhm, I think you have made an interesting point. I see Godin was named as La LIga player of the month twice times but the reliability of awards is full of doubt when Messi also won only time and it is even worse when Sergo Ramos obtained the rating in dbscalcio just at 5.74 point in average for the 2013 – 2014 La Liga Season. I now agree to replace Ramos by Godin.

      Delete
    2. Thanks for the reply.

      5,74 is incredible LOW for a "World Class Defender"!!! I'm really surprise. How precise is dbscalcio?

      Delete
    3. It's me again. I tought that Rio Ferdinand could be the world best Defender in the Year of 2008, not in 2007.

      For the year of 2007, John Terry have better rating that Rio, and appear in two Best XI of the Year: FIFPro and UEFA team of the Year. Other interesting player is Nesta but his rating is lower than Terry and Rio, but appear in both those Best XI (make goods games in UCL).

      About Rio he didn't appear in any best XI 2006/2007 that i've found, but appear in the 2008 ESM team of the year and FIFpro 2008. However didn't appear in l'équipe best team of 2008. Also his rating is pretty similar to Terry rating (that also appear in FIFPro 2008 and l'equipe 2008, but not in PFA team of the same year).

      What's your opinion?

      Delete
    4. In 2008, I see Rio was named in PFA and ESM team of the year and Terry was only named as UCL’s best defender. In that season, Terry played only 23 premier league games so I need to agree with you. Revised.

      Delete
    5. Godin over Ramos in 2014? Your personal pick was much better.
      Judging someone based on dbs is nonsense as they are by far the worst sistem of player grades in existence. Good lord they rate Alibec better than Messi,Ronaldo,Suarez this season and Odegaard better than Ronaldo and Messi in 2014. I understand it's tempting to give them some credit because the grades exists for very early years , and I was tempted to give use them for older players many times , but then I looked at their ratings in curent era and they are just lists with ranom players and grades with no relevance whatsoever.Simply awful!
      I'd advise you , if you still want to use average ratings in some proportion , to look at whoscored because they generaly agreed as the best sistem and visibly light years ahead of dbs.

      In whoscored Ramos had 7.47 and Godin 7.44 , and in UCL Ramos had 7.44 and Godin 7.32.

      And frankly player grades don't do justice to Ramos' performance in the UCL where he was the most providential player. Not to mention that he was also the Club World Cup MVP , named La Liga Best Defender of the year and was ranked at the Ballon d'Or while Godin wasn't.
      In conclusion , Ramos was clearly better than Godin so you should reverse back to your original opinion.

      Delete
    6. The first ratings are for La Liga(I forgot to mention)

      Delete
    7. I have been aware of dbscalcio's inaccuracy but I thought it was still useful for comparison between seasons within a player. For whoscored rating, I think it is surely interesting although it seems strange to me that Messi is rated in the same points between the 2011 - 2012 season and the 2014 - 2015 season.
      For Ramos VS Godin, I think the difference of 0.12 in UCL should be approximately equal. So, NT performance would be an important part. According to goal.com, Godin rating in 4 world cup games are 5,8,6,6 but Ramos obtain only 4,5,6. I think it is clear that Godin is better.

      Delete
    8. Like I said , Ramos isn't just better statistically than Godin in UCL. Because the fact that he scored those goals in providential moments isn't quantifiable in stats. Also he was better than Godin in La Liga both statistically as showed by whoscored and was also officially named so by LFP awards. So just because Godin has a few better matches at the NT(and he didn't even win anything or was included in an all-star) can't possibly make him the better defender overall.

      Delete
    9. I still not clear how Ramos is better than Godin enough since either Awards or scoring tats cannot tell us how difference between them in the entire season when average point is very closed.

      Delete
    10. Well incase it wasn't the visible choice , Ramos takes the edge in ratings and awards , wheter close or not. It's up to you if you want to follow them but I don't understand why not.

      Delete
  25. 1965. best positional player: opinion of NT manager (source: weekly "Futbol" (in russian) 1966 №1(293)):
    A.Ramsey (England): GK: -, DF: -, MF: -, FW: Pele.
    R.Vytlačil (Czechoslovakia): GK: Yashin, DF: Schnellinger, MF: Voronin, FW: Greaves.
    L.Baróti (Hungary): GK: Yashin, DF: Schnellinger, MF: Voronin, FW: Pele.
    J.Villalonga (Spain): GK: Yashin, DF: Facchetti, MF: Suares, FW: Pele.
    E.Fabbri (Italy): GK: Yashin, DF: Facchetti, MF: Suares, FW: Pele/Eusebio.
    O.Gloria (Brazil): GK: Yashin/Gilmar, DF: Facchetti, MF: B.Charlton, FW: Pele.
    N.Morozov (Soviet Union): GK: Yashin, DF: Schnellinger, MF: Voronin/Suares, FW: Pele/Eusebio.
    H.Schön (West Germany): GK: Yashin, DF: Schnellinger, MF: Law, FW: Pele.
    H.Guérin (France): GK: Yashin, DF: Facchetti, MF: Law, FW: Pele.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Falcao best year was in 2012 not in 2011. What a player, too bad his injury.

    ReplyDelete
  27. He scored two more goals in 2011 even played fewer 8 games in club level.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, i cannot agree. I don't see an big difference, and it is just numbers, and numbers just say something, not all.

      Falcao made a great year in 2011 no doubt about it. But the main difference between 2011 and 2012 is in the year of 2011 Falcao show to te world that was one of the best fowards in the world and the year of 2012 he was simply THE BEST foward in the world.

      As a portuguese guy and an FC Porto fan, Falcao in atlético madrid was much better than in porto (despite of number goals, portuguese league isn't that strong).

      Comparating individual perfomances of Falcao in those years, in 2012 he was more decisive and outstanding player, being MVP in two UEFA finals (2011 final perfomance is a bit "boring" than 2012) and appear in the best FIFA XI, winner of Globe Soccer Award (an alternative award to the world best player) and score 5 goals in a match.

      Delete
    2. Yes , 2012 was clearly Falcao's prime.

      Delete
  28. Olympic Games Best Squad and Best Player before 1930:

    1908: Horace Bailey (GBR); Walter Corbett (GBR), Herbert Smith (GBR); Kenneth Hunt (GBR), Nils Niddelboe (DEN), Robert Hawkes (GBR); Arthur Berry (GBR), Vivian Woodward (GBR and Best Player), Harry Stapley (GBR), Sophus Nielsen (DEN and Top Scorer), Vilhelm Wolfhagen (DEN).

    1912: Just Gobel (NED); Gyula Rumbold (HUN), Arthur Knight (GBR); Karl Braunsteiner (AUT), Nils Niddelboe (DEN and Best Player), Karl Gustafsson (SWE); Harold Walden (GBR), Gottfried Fuchs (GER and Top Scorer), Imre Schlosser (HUN), Jan Vos (NED), Alois Muller (AUT)

    1920: Ricardo Zamora (SPA and Best Player); Antonín Hojer (CZE), Oscar Verbeeck (BEL); Kada Pesek (CZE), André Fierens (BEL), Félix Sesúmaga (SPA); Robert Coppé (BEL) Antonín Janda (CZE), Herbert Carlsson (SWE and Top Scorer) ber Groosjohan (NED), Jan Vaník (CZE)

    1924: Andrés Mazali (URU); José Nasazzi (URU), Rudolf Ramseyer (SWI); André le Fèvre (NED), Paul Schmiedlin (SWI), Harry Sundberg (SWE); Sven Rydell (SWE), Paul Sturzenegger (SWI), Pedro Petrone (URU, Top Scorer and Best Player), Max Abegglen (SWI), Rudolf Kock (SWE).

    1928: Andrés Mazali (URU); Fernando Paternóster (ARG), Umberto Caligaris (ITA); Augusto Silva (POR), Luis Monti (ARG), Leandro Andrade (URU); Virgilio Levratto (ITA), Domingo Tarasconi (ARG, Top Scorer and Best Player), Adolfo Baloncieri (ITA), Pepe (POR), Mahmoud Mokhtar (EGY).

    Source: http://www.linguasport.com/futbol/internacional/olimpiadas/olympic.htm

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry for late reply. Thanks you very much for such a rare information. I'll be looking them when I have time. Thanks.

      Delete
  29. hello good job ;)
    manager : Bora Milutinovic (The Lord Of World CUp) ? Radomir Antic ?
    Defenser : Nemanja Vidic ?
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bora_Milutinovi%C4%87

    ReplyDelete
  30. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bora_Milutinovi%C4%87
    Bora Milutinovic the lord of world cup.

    ReplyDelete
  31. do you take germany doping heavily after world war and especially in 1954 in 1974 into account which no longer are rumour but more or less common knowledge.check it out.no wondser they won world cups against far more uperior and skilfull teams.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you would propose the better candidates in those years, I'd reconsider for sure.

      Delete
  32. Leo Messi not one of the best winners in 2012 or 2015 for forwards? Broke numerous records for goals, particularly in 2012 for the world record. For me surpasses both Di Stefano and Cruyff in the aforementioned years, as 91 goals probably wont be matched for decades, or the 73 goal season.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think Messi in 2012 should be at least in top three. Updated.

      Delete
  33. Best defender in 2008 and 2012 was Sergio Ramos.

    In 2008 he was the key player in Real's defense for conquering La Liga and won the European Championship with Spain. He was included for consistency in the ESM Team of the Year , included in FIFA Team of the Year and UEFA Team of the Year(only defender included in all 3 all star XIs) and was also consequently the highest ranked defender at the Ballon d'Or.

    In 2012 he again was the most instrumental player of the La Liga succes and was named La Liga best defender of the Year, reached UCL Semi-Finals, won the European Championship being named MVP of the tournament according to Castrol average ratings, was included for consistency in the ESM Team of the Year, UEFA team of the Year and FIFA Team of the Year(once again only defender to be included in all 3) and was the highest rated defender at the Ballon d'Or.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OK, I think Ramos should name as the best central defender of the year in 2012 as Vincent Kompany had nothing special in international football. In 2008, I think it is closed call. Domestically, they're awarded in similar status. Rio is much better in UCL but England didn't qualify for the Euro tournament. Anyway Ramos in 2008 Euro was not outstanding as he was not even named in squad of the tournament (3 central defenders ahead of him included Calos Marchena. So I don't think Ramos could take advantage of better opportunity so I remain having Rio in place.

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  34. Best forward 2016 surely Luis Suárez? Yes Ronaldo won a lot of trophies but Suarez was for more important for Barcelona. Scored 14 in the last 5 of the season which were all must win games to win the league after a terrible April, pichichi and European golden shoe for 40 league goals, which no one except Messi or Ronaldo has done in a top 5 division since gerd Müller I believe. Also voted in FIFpro Team of the Year, and most definitely should've been Ballon D'Or top 3. On a collective level Ronaldo did better but individually Suárez was the best

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  35. When will rankings for 2017 be out?

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    1. I'm sorry for late reply. I just update as I was very busy in skill evaluation project.

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  36. Hi Naratorn, how are you? I conducted a study on world football selections (World XI) since 1900. Are you interested in learning about my work? Sincerely, William.

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  37. I really forgot to update. Now it has been updated.

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  38. Cortouis the best in 2018? Ridicolous, De Gea was stopping shots like perhaps no goalkeeper in history, 2017 and 2016 for Buffon are also very poor choices

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    1. That was probably the craziest goalkeeping season I have seen

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  39. I think Frenkie De Jong should be moved to defensive & central midfielder of the year and Bernardo Silva (Domestic treble, Nations league winner and player of the tournament and man city player of the season) should be the offensive midfielder option seeing as he played most of his games as a centre / attacking midfielder.

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  40. Am I imagining it or did Dida use to be in this list?

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  41. Does Goycochea really deserve to be considered the best GK in 1990? I know he was a hero for Argentina in the World Cup but he wasn't even their first choice going into the tournament. For what it's worth, IFFHS has him only at 6th on their list of the best goalkeepers of that year. And I've also heard not too flattering things about his all round abilities.....

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    1. OK, In 1990 South American Footballer of the Year, he was voted higher than Conejo but lower than Huguita who wasn't even included in top 10 IFFHS world best keeper. Goycochea anyway won 1990 Argentine player of the year although I'm not sure how much his performance in World Cup attributable to awards.
      I think Goycochea is at least deserved as the best south-central american keeper in 1990. Look at his candidates in Europe, Preud'Homme was voted at only 8th best player in 1990 Belgian Golden Shoe. Peter Shilton wasn't selected in PFA team of the year. Walter Zenga's performance in 1989 - 1990 series A obtain only 6.37 but he made it better in 1990/1991 with 6.48 not known for each half of season as well. Zenga seems to have a good performance in 1990 - 1991 UEFA Cup. He also had a flaw in 1990 when Zenga is an only goalkeeper nominated in 1990 Ballon'Dor and was given UEFA Goalkeeper of the year. Zenga's performance alone in World Cup is not really remarkable as he had a few chances to save when there're world-class defenders in front him.

      I think Goycochea is at least second place. I still have no clear whether Zenga should be superior to him in this year. I need more support information to revise.

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    2. Zenga 1990 record di imbattibilità ai mondiali. 517 senza prendere gol.

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  42. could you make a list for the best player in the world in every year in total positions like ballon dor

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  43. Is there 2020 awards coming soon?

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  44. Are these going to be updated?

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  45. 2016 must be the year of Pogba/Vidal/Kroos, no way Modric deserved to be the best central midfielder when his nation disqualified early in EURO. And i think relying your methodology system on media is a biased way to ranking the players because the media always favorite the one they love (not the one who truly perform well), in this case is Luka Modric because of his austere face and professional manner, unlike Pogba & Vidal who built a bad image on the pitch. Remember that if not because of the referee decisions in quarter final leg between Bayern-Real, Modric would haven't achieved that Champions League. Same story in 2017 with Thiago deserved to be called.

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  46. Jorginho in off mid?? He was a 6

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