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Words Mark White, Ed McCambridge, Joe Brewin, Jeff Kassouf

Football’s glitziest individual award has been scrapped this year – but it won’t stop FFT crowning our own kingand queen of a mad 2020. With votes from 128 journalists in 102 countries, we discover who’s been robbed...

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30 January 2021 FourFourTwo

AnGEL DI MARIAPSG | Argentina | 0 PTS

Alas, the only man with zero votes – but his place on our 30-strong shortlist recognises a fine year for the ex-Manchester United flop. While Neymar and Kylian Mbappe hogged the spotlights, Di Maria kept busy conducting the orchestra. The 32-year-old’s outstanding vision cut through defences as PSG reached a first Champions League final, while his 14 Ligue 1 assists last term were twice as many as any other footballer in France’s top flight.

JORDAn HEnDERSOnLiverpool | England | 1 PT

It’s easy to point out Henderson’s leadership skills as the reason why he’s one of the first names on Jurgen Klopp’s team-sheet. It does, however, ignore what a supreme midfielder he has grown into. Henderson rarely wastes a ball, his long-range passing is excellent and his intensity off the ball exemplary. The FWA Footballer of the Year has come to symbolise this Liverpool era – with his heart and head.

HARRY KAnETottenham | England | 2 PTS

It seems unfair to defences that England’s best striker keeps improving. Kane seemingly downloads new patches to boost his game, and in 2020 he has developed further in an effective withdrawn role for Jose Mourinho’s side. But he’s still scoring: seven goals after Project Restart; 13 more before November’s international break – not to mention beating his assist record for a Premier League season by October 26. Still surprising, still brilliant.

LEOn GORETZKABayern Munich | Germany | 3 PTS

Goretzka was called a “Bayern pig” when he traded Schalke for Bavaria in 2018, but there’sa good reason why they’re so alluring. In turn,the 25-year-old has blossomed into a Swiss army knife star: a goalscorer, preventer and gut-busting worker. Take the 8-2 battering of Barcelona: Goretzka dominated the midfield with an iron fist, yet delivered a sumptuous assist for Serge Gnabry to bag Bayern’s third. “He’s currently the best box-to-box player in the world,” insisted the astute Ralf Rangnick.

AnDREW ROBERTSOnLiverpool | Scotland | 3 PTS

As a measure of his abilities, Robbo was the only member of Liverpool’s title-winning side not to have a defined deputy waiting in the wings. The man Mourinho once said makes him tired just watching epitomises reliability; a constant provider in the final third, hurtling up and down the line to laser in his trademarkcrosses. Another stunning year was capped

by leading Scotland to Euro 2020, their first major finals in 22 years, via nervy shootout victories over Israel and Serbia. Some going.

MARQUInHOSPSG | Brazil | 4 PTS

Formerly considered little more than Thiago Silva’s hype man, Marquinhos has been at the heart of PSG’s top 2020. After seamlessly adapting to a less familiar defensive midfield role under Thomas Tuchel, the Brazilian also contributed vital goals – in the quarter and semi-finals – as Les Parisiens marched to the Champions League showpiece. Those golden moments were enough to demonstrate his leadership and, sure enough, he assumed the captaincy from an outgoing Silva this season.

ALISSOnLiverpool | Brazil | 7 PTS

In 2018-19, Alisson’s first season at Liverpool, he kept as many clean sheets as he conceded goals – 36 – for both club and country. Those sky-high standards haven’t dropped, either: in 2020 he added the Premier League trophy to his haul, averaging a clean sheet every other game. Never is his value highlighted greater than in absentia, though. Adrian’s howler at home to Atletico Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League cost Klopp’s men dearly in March, shorn of their giant No.1’s presence.

_ BRUnO FERnAnDESManchester United | Portugal | 10 PTS

United’s 2019-20 had two parts: before and after Bruno. Prior to his late-January arrival, the Reds sat 14 points behind third-placed Leicester, chasing a lost cause. But then came the fightback: eight goals and seven assists for their catalytic recruit, sealing an unlikely Champions League place. The 26-year-old is already talismanic at Old Trafford, marrying his stunning ability on the ball with a fierce desire to drag team-mates along with him.

KARIM BEnZEMAReal Madrid | France | 11 PTS

Benzema, the narrative claimed, was nothing more than a magician’s assistant. But there was a reason why Real Madrid didn’t directly replace Cristiano Ronaldo in 2018. Out of the showman’s shadow he has twice top-scored for Real, and this term led them to his third La Liga title with seven goals after lockdown. The understated Frenchman isn’t dimming in his twilight years – instead, he’s proving his worth as a defining striker of this generation.

TREnT ALEXAnDER-ARnOLDLiverpool | England | 13 PTS

The Reds’ local hero carved out 13 top-flight assists across 2019-20, after 12 the season before. He only recently turned 22. Liverpool’s arch playmaker – from his so-called defensive role – is more than a pass-master, though: he typifies the champions’ style and guile with ace delivery and attacking thrust. Talk of him moving to midfield has hushed: he’s too busy rewriting what it means to be a right-back.

ROMELU LUKAKUInter | Belgium | 14 PTS

As the youngest overseas player to plunder 100 Premier League goals, form like this was always Lukaku’s destiny. Having fired Inter to within a point of a first Scudetto since 2010, the Belgian took them agonisingly close to the Europa League crown –!netting in every knockout match. This may have been a year of near misses for Lukaku, but not in front of goal. He showed his detractors the real Rom.

ALPHOnSO DAVIES Bayern Munich | Canada | 15 PTS

Davies seems to do everything at breakneck speed –!but then, that’s not really surprising for a player who made his professional debut at Vancouver aged 15. He began last season shoehorned out of position at left-back, yet became key to Bayern’s ruthless bullying of the Bundesliga and Europe. With boundless stamina, fearless dribbling and cheetah-like pace, he tore Chelsea and Barça apart to seal Champions League glory… and he’s only 20.

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SOn HEUnG-MInTottenham | South Korea | 18 PTS

It’s no shock that Spurs’ worst patch in 2020 came in the three matches an in-form Son missed with a fractured arm. Tottenham took one point from a possible nine, crippling their Champions League hopes. The electric Korean has grown in prominence this year, though, becoming the first Asian to reach 50 Premier League goals and starting 2020-21 with nine in as many games. He even did the dreaded military service in lockdown – winning a prize for the top performance among 157 trainees.

CIR0 IMMOBILELazio | Italy | 21 PTS

Take away the record 14 penalties Immobile scored for Lazio last term, and the Italian’s tally would still be Serie A’s fourth-highest of 2019-20. Instead, his lethal haul was enough to bag him the European Golden Shoe while equalling Gino Rosetti and Gonzalo Higuain’s joint-record for the most goals in an Italian top-flight campaign. More importantly, those 36 goals amounted to 45 per cent of Lazio’s total and propelled them into the Champions League for the first time since 2008.

THIAGO ALCAnTARA Bayern/Liverpool | Spain | 23 PTS

The hypnotic Spaniard started his year with three goals in as many Bundesliga outings, and ended his final campaign in Bavaria with three winner’s medals. Thiago’s mesmerising passing at the base of midfield was crucial in delivering Bayern’s Treble, culminating in his brilliant swansong: August’s 1-0 victory over PSG to secure Europe’s biggest prize. Is it any wonder that Liverpool fans were so pleased to land their man for £25m?

SERGE GnABRYBayern Munich | Germany | 23 PTS

Ex-Arsenal man Gnabry proved the attacking ace of Bayern’s European run-in. Five goals in the Champions League knockout stages – one in the 8-2 hammering of Barcelona and a brace in the semi-final victory over Lyon – were backed up by another in the DFB-Pokal final, amounting to a remarkable Treble that had the continent rising to applause. Suffice to say, those struggles at West Brom in 2015 haven’t held him back.

SERGIO RAMOSReal Madrid | Spain | 27 PTS

Madrid’s battle-weary leader remains as vital as ever to club and country. The 34-year-old enjoyed another trophy-winning year, lifting a La Liga and Copa del rey Double, reaching 100 career goals for Real, playing his 450th match for the club, and overtaking Gianluigi

Buffon’s European record of 176 caps. It was also the year in which he became joint-leader for Champions League red cards (four) along with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edgar Davids.

THOMAS MULLERBayern Munich | Germany | 36 PTS

A little over 12 months ago, Muller’s glittering career at Bayern was on life support: frozen out of the side by former boss Niko Kovac, his role reduced to that of 30-something impact substitute. After Kovac’s November sacking, though, replacement Hansi Flick immediately reinstated the ‘Raumdeuter’. Nine goals and as many assists after the 2020 party poppers – the latter, part of a 21-strong Bundesliga season record haul – helped Bayern win big.

bMOHAMED SALAHLiverpool | Egypt | 42 PTS

Move over, Mo –!goal-getting alone isn’t goingto earn votes any more. He’s still rather good at that, mind: the Egyptian netted 10 Premier League goals in the second half of last term to ensure Liverpool’s title march stayed fully on course, and started 2020-21 with eight in as many matches. While Sadio Mané has earned acclaim this year, Salah was the only top-tier player to make the top five for both goals and assists.

ERLInG HAALAnDDortmund | Norway | 43 PTS

The Leeds-born Norway international kicked off his 2020 by swapping Red Bull Salzburg for Borussia Dortmund, amid interest from Manchester United. It proved a wise choice:

the striker hit seven goals in his opening three Bundesliga appearances, two more to sink PSG in the Champions League, and hasn’t let up. Ludicrously, his year up to November 21 had produced 38 goals in 35 games for club and country, including four in a 5-2 victory at Hertha Berlin. He turned 20 in July. Be afraid.

nEYMARPSG | Brazil | 48 PTS

The scenes of an inconsolable Neymar in the aftermath of PSG’s Champions League final heartbreak may have surprised those who worried about the Brazilian’s commitment to life in the French capital. Frequent histrionics can sometimes mask his desire to win – but here was a reminder, if ever one was required. When Neymar is in the mood – as he was for PSG’s European quest – he remains laughably unplayable; a schemer of effortless brilliance, ceaseless fun and devastating end product.

JOSHUA KIMMICHBayern Munich | Germany | 59 PTS

Arguably the world’s finest footballer in two positions, Kimmich was regularly switched between right-back and defensive midfield for club and country again during 2020. His stellar performances in both roles were key as Die Roten clinched their trophy hat-trick, displaying admirable leadership for a player still only 25. His outstanding reliability and determination have become as valuable as his pinpoint passes and spatial awareness. Pleasingly, FFT’s voters agree.

KYLIAn MBAPPEPSG | France | 64 PTS

Last season’s Ligue 1 campaign might have been cut short in April, but leaders PSG still won the title and Mbappe his second straight Golden Boot. The 21-year-old’s importance was best highlighted in Les Parisiens’ run to Lisbon’s European showpiece, though, when his late introduction against Atalanta in the quarters helped to overturn an ominous 1-0 deficit. He possibly should have made more of his opportunities in August’s final –!but the explosive Frenchman will get his shot again.

VIRGIL VAn DIJKLiverpool | Netherlands | 67 PTS

The best defender in the world this year, so say our panel of experts, the 29-year-old has become the benchmark against which every other centre-back is measured. The towering Dutchman didn’t miss a minute of Liverpool’s league-winning season, bossing opposition strikers with his customary intelligence and elegance. Having been ruled out until April 2021 with a cruciate injury sustained during October’s Merseyside derby, his true worth to the Reds may yet become apparent in the months to come.

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aMAnUEL nEUER Bayern Munich | Germany | 69 PTS

Google Bayern Munich’s colossal goalkeeper and the ‘people also ask’ box also throws up: “Is Manuel Neuer still good?” Well, here’s your answer. It’s true that 2018 was something of an annus horribilis –!a gruesome World Cup defence after breaking his foot the previous September –!but at 34, his best days are back. Champions League success in August was his second at Bayern and the Bundesliga title his eighth, while October even delivered a Sepp Maier-beating, club record 200th clean sheet in Bavaria. Oh, Manuel Neuer’s still good all right – just ask our voters.

CRISTIAnO ROnALDOJuventus | Portugal | 98 PTS

Ronaldo netted his 100th international goal for Portugal this year, paving the way to beat Ali Daei’s record tally of 109 in 2021. While he suffered a second season of European failure at Juventus, CR7 still won his second Serie A crown and became one of only three players in Old Lady history to break the 30-goal mark – the first since Felice Borel in 1934. To most players, that would be a sensational year. To Ronaldo, 35 but still seemingly indestructible, it’s been relatively quiet. With next summer’s Euros approaching and Daei on the verge of being toppled, however, the Portuguese will be confident of ensuring his name is back in lights when the Ballon d’Or votes are cast in 2021. After all, there’s a bloke who beats his five orbs on the mantelpiece...

LIOnEL MESSIBarcelona | Argentina | 101 PTS

…and he nudges ahead in our votes for 2020 as well. It says much about Messi’s mutant abilities that he can still finish this high after what has arguably been the worst year of his career. Simmering tensions with Barcelona’s board eventually boiled over in August with his botched and very public transfer request, leading to an almighty summer of discontent in Catalonia (see FFT 320). And yet, this was also the year when Messi converted his 700th career goal, smashed Xavi’s assists record for a sole La Liga season (21) and won a seventh top-scorer Pichichi Trophy for netting 25 goals –!the 12th consecutive campaign in which he has struck at least 20. Only Thierry Henry had managed 20 goals and 20 assists in a season within Europe’s top five divisons this century. Yes: even the Flea’s ‘bad’ years are markedly better than most players’ special ones.

bSADIO MAnÉLiverpool | Senegal | 113 PTS

“I’ll say it again. Sadio Mané best player in the league.” So tweeted No.1 fan Cesc Fabregas in September, after Liverpool’s ace frontman had bagged a quick-fire brace to sink Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Cesc wasn’t lying, either: he had given the same response when asked the question in January, having also named the speedster among the planet’s top three players months earlier.

Now, the rest of the world is catching up in its appreciation of the 28-year-old. Mo Salah may have edged him overall in every season since the Egyptian’s arrival in 2017, but Reds supporters are just as enamoured with their Senegalese star, who again dazzled en route to Liverpool’s first top-flight title since 1990.

Arguably the most consistent of their lethal attackers, Mané has also blossomed into one of the most complete: a bundle of trickery, imagination, pace and assassin-like finishing.

His game has become about more than goals –!see the delightful outside-of-the-boot assist for Diogo Jota’s hat-trick goal at Atalanta in November, when the Merseysiders ran amok.

He’s come a long way. Jurgen Klopp & Co took something of a punt to polish the £34m man, who arrived from Southampton in 2016 as a raw but explosive talent. “Maybe people thought, ‘I’m not sure he’s worth it’, but we were 100 per cent sure about him,” noted the German in July. “Consistency was key… the level he performs at is unbelievable. He came as a young boy and grew up – he matured.”

Klopp’s praise was later even more effusive. “From a talent to a settled, world-class player is a big step, because you have to do it pretty much week in and week out,” he explained. “That’s what he’s able to do. It’s a massive development. I have no idea of a number [of where he ranks] but for sure in the top, top, top, top offensive wingers, strikers, whatever you want to see in the world. I think everyone would agree on that.”

Well, Jurgen: it appears they absolutely do.

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Guardiola found that the playmakerdid exactly what he asked, however hetinkered with his starting XI. He wasn’ta revelation. He was a revolution.

Last term was a defining one for him– not because he brought consistencyamid the chaos, but because no one isthis good. He stands above everyone;the David Bowie of the Premier League,the flame-haired rock star who renderedReal Madrid mediocre inside the Bernabeu,bagged 20 league assists and picked apartLiverpool in a 4-0 thrashing – the same nightas their guard of honour.

He is Guardiola’s general. Not the vocal enforcer that some managers boast,but a high-functioning, high-octanemetronome to set your watch by.Full house or empty, KDB will tearyou apart.

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KEVIn DE BRUYnEManchester City | Belgium | 120 PTS

It was claimed that if Roger Federer was on Centre Court with the roof shut, it was game over. You couldn’t beat the Swiss master for precision with no wind; no sun glare over his sweatband. Without the elements, you were battling the inevitable scythe of defeat.

It felt similar watching Kevin De Bruyne in desolate stadiums post-lockdown, chiselling away at Thierry Henry’s 20-assist record set in 2002-03. There’s comfort in consistency: that should the world descend into darkness and football become a television-only event, you can set your watch by the remorseless swing of a Belgian’s right peg.

That wasn’t always the case. A slouching Inbetweener at Genk, the teenage De Bruyne drifted through games. Sometimes he would log on, launch a rocket and nearly burn the ball through the net –!as if he was almost too modest to really let loose.

Chelsea saw the potential. They signed him for £8m, loaned him to Werder Bremen and watched him dazzle like a street player. The starlet was developing physically, but with a sturdy double-pivot just behind him, he was given a free role to flicker. De Bruyne became a supreme dribbler.

He got just 132 league minutes to prove himself when he returned to Stamford Bridge –!but he was learning that when chances didn’t present themselves, he was capable of making them himself. So, in January 2014 – then 22 – he left London for Wolfsburg. In his first full season, De Bruyne played behind the frontman and immediately used his glorious repertoire of tricks to notch an all-time Bundesliga high of 20 assists (beaten by Thomas Muller’s 21 for Bayern Munich in 2019-20).

Pep Guardiola was mesmerised, but after finalising personal terms, Die Roten failed to agree a price. So, De Bruyne joined Manchester City in 2015 for a club-record £55m, just six months before Guardiola was unveiled as their incoming new boss.

Some midfield generals come to reflect their managers,!but the maestro was never really a mirror to the dugout –instead, unshaped dough for the Catalan to mould. De Bruyne was a strawberry-blond Beckham under Manuel Pellegrini, an electric right-winger with an exquisite right boot and lung-busting work-rate to match. But Pep had other ideas: the schemer became a second striker under his tutelage, advancing beyond Kelechi Iheanacho to score City’s opener in Guardiola’s debut Manchester derby. He was played wide-left that season too, encouraged to interlink with David Silva.

But as City developed, De Bruyne receded deeper. In December 2016, Guardiola called the Belgian “our most important player”. On the right of a midfield trio, he saw space and found runners in the penalty box like a sniper. In 2017, Stoke fans lauded his otherworldly display against them during a 7-2 demolition, when De Bruyne played a part in five goals.

ROBERT LEWAnDOWSKIBayern Munich | Poland | 561 PTS

There is beauty in simplicity. Perhaps no other footballer on the planet embodies that idea more than Robert Lewandowski. Bayern Munich’s trusty striker might not be the most skilful player in the world, the most jaw-dropping, the fiercest nor the quickest, but he has made a habit of doing the simple things better than anybody in 2020. And he is devastating at it.

Across a 2019-20 campaign pulled apart by COVID-19, the Polish marksman scored 55 Bayern goals in all competitions –!25 this

calendar year, in just 22 matches. Die Roten won everything with their unstoppable scorer, culminating in August’s glorious Champions League final victory over Paris Saint-Germain – the only knockout game in which Lewy didn’t find the net.

Before that, the Pole failed to notch in only one of his eight post-lockdown Bundesliga matches and bagged twice in the DFB-Pokal final against Bayer Leverkusen. Not getting on the scoresheet was more of a surprise.

Former Bayern Munich and Netherlands frontman Roy Makaay, who plundered 103 goals for the club between 2003 and 2007, believes Lewandowski’s greatest strength as a striker is as clear as it is simple.

“He doesn’t try to do anything difficult,” Makaay tells FourFourTwo. “He doesn’t care about scoring beautiful goals, he just wants to score. He’ll take whatever shot, whatever chip or header he thinks is necessary in the moment. He’s a clinical striker. That’s what I like about him.

“The most important thing for a striker at Bayern is not to feel the expectations on you. You always place pressure on yourself to prove you belong at the biggest teams in the world, but he’s been playing at this level for so many years now. I don’t think he has any problems with pressure – you can see that in his performances. He’s used to it.”

For Tobias Altschaffl, the chief reporter at German news outlet SportBild, Lewandowski’s all-round threat has been just as sensational as his scoring record in 2020. What’s more, he believes Bayern have old nemesis Jurgen Klopp to thank for it.

“Over the course of this year we’ve seen the other side of Lewandowski’s game,” he tells FFT. “Not just his ability to score goals, but also to bring out the best in team-mates. His early days at Borussia Dortmund, when he was regularly played as a No.10 by Klopp, gave his game that extra element.

“He didn’t particularly like playing in that role, but it vastly improved his understanding of the game. It helped him to become the player we’re now seeing with Bayern. He was the complete footballer during their Treble season. A great goalscorer, for sure, but also a great team-mate.”

Last season’s eighth straight Bundesliga was par for Germany’s serial champions, but Makaay believes Lewandowski’s desire to win a first Champions League medal inspired him to hit new heights, after three semi-final failures since his 2014 arrival.

“From the day you first walk in at Bayern, you feel the atmosphere of winning,” reveals the Dutchman. “It’s not just a nice thing to win titles there – you have to win titles. You get that mentality very fast. You saw in the Champions League last season how much it meant to him to win that trophy –!he scored 15 goals in the competition. You could see after the final against PSG how happy he was to have finally won it.”

Lewandowski turned 32 in August, the same age Makaay was when he left Bayern to end his career with Feyenoord. The Pole’s stellar physical condition, however, means there is little chance of him doing something similar in the near future.

“He’s still in top shape,” explains Altschaffl. “Lewandowski is using all the science and data to help him maintain peak fitness. He’s even got a sleep researcher to assist with his rest and recovery, meaning he’s more like a player of 22 or 23 – 10 years younger than he actually is. He’ll still be playing for a very long time. He’s got a contract with Bayern until 2023, but he can play well beyond that.”

Makaay agrees. “He’s a family man who is almost always fit,” he enthuses, adding that Lewandowski is one of few to benefit from the enforced mid-season lockdown. “He was injured going into the coronavirus break, then came out of it fit again. He has some years

Words Ed McCambridge

“ L E W A n D O W S K I D O E S n ’ T C A R E A B O U T S C O R I n G B E A U T I F U L G O A L S – H E J U S T W A n T S T O S C O R E ”A runaway winner in 2020 – ranked top by 87 of our 101 voters – no one else even came close to FFT’s No.1 than Lewy after a stunning year in front of goal

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left in him yet, and it looks like he’s gettingbetter and better every year.”

Lewandowski’s goals in 2020 powered himbeyond legendary Bayern forward (and nowCEO) Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, and up intosecond in the Bavarians’ scoring charts. It’sunlikely he’ll ever catch record Roten scorerGerd Muller – about 300 clear at the time ofwriting – but the striker’s standing within theBundesliga pantheon is hardly disputed.

“He would be in the top five for sure,” saysMakaay. “The best, and the number one, willalways be Muller. The order behind him is forother people to decide.”

“I never had the chance to watch Mullerplay live,” reflects Altschaffl. “He’s obviouslyconsidered the greatest striker in club historyand holds the record for the most goals inthe Bundesliga. But for me, Lewandowski isdefinitely the number two – or even numberone and a half.”

Despite the Pole’s enduring excellence andreliability, there will come a time when he toomust hang up his shooting boots. In his last

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five seasons he hasn’t returned fewer than40 goals in all competitions, but what Bayerndo next is a question that “no one can, or will,answer at the moment” says Altschaffl. “Noteam could replace a player like Robert, norcould any player in the world replace him.”

Makaay, meanwhile, has no concerns overwhat will happen to Bayern when the strikereventually calls time on a remarkable career.

“I don’t think it will be a problem,” he says.“If you look at the history of all the forwardswho have played for Bayern over the years –every one had to replace somebody great.Rummenigge, Giovane Elber, myself, MarioGomez, Miroslav Klose, Luca Toni, Lewy. Eachtime it’s the same.”

For now, Bayern fans can continue to enjoythe phenomenal displays of a No.9 who ageslike Benjamin Button. Altschaffl is in no doubtthat the talisman was the best player in theworld across 2020, and a more than worthywinner of FFT’s vote.

“He fully deserves it,” he says. “The playerwho finishes top scorer in the league, thecup and in Europe – and who won everythingin a calendar year with no Euros or World Cup– is the simple choice.”

Simplicity, after all, is always key wheneverRobert Lewandowski is concerned.

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1st = 6 points 2nd = 4 points 3rd = 3 points 4th = 2 points 5th = 1 point

ALGERIAMaher Mezahi

Freelance1. Robert Lewandowski2. Kevin De Bruyne3. Manuel Neuer4. Sadio Mané5. Neymar

ANGOLAIvan Capuepue

Freelance1. Robert Lewandowski2. Ciro Immobile3. Sadio Mané4. Erling Haaland5. Son Heung-min

ARGENTINAMartin Mazur

Freelance1. Robert Lewandowski2. Thomas Muller3. Virgil van Dijk4. Lionel Messi5. Cristiano Ronaldo

AUSTRALIAJames Dampney

Finder1. Virgil van Dijk2. Robert Lewandowski3. Kevin De Bruyne4. Manuel Neuer5. Trent Alexander-Arnold

AUSTRIAThomas Middler

The Other Bundesliga1. Robert Lewandowski2. Erling Haaland3. Alisson4. Serge Gnabry5. Kevin De Bruyne

AZERBAIJANRasi

MovsumzadehFreelance1. Robert Lewandowski2. Manuel Neuer3. Serge Gnabry4. Sadio Mané5. Erling Haaland

BANGLADESHMehedi Sujan

New Age1. Robert Lewandowski2. Lionel Messi3. Mohamed Salah4. Kevin De Bruyne5. Manuel Neuer

BARBADOSRenaldo Gilkes

Loop News1. Robert Lewandowski2. Ciro Immobile3. Sergio Ramos4. Cristiano Ronaldo5. Romelu Lukaku

BELGIUMSamindra Kunti

Freelance1. Robert Lewandowski2. Sadio Mané3. Joshua Kimmich4. Erling Haaland5. Romelu Lukaku

BOLIVIAPaola Perez

Freelance1. Robert Lewandowski2. Neymar3. Lionel Messi4. Manuel Neuer5. Joshua Kimmich

BOSNIA ANDHERZEGOVINA

Sasa IbruljFreelance1. Robert Lewandowski2. Sadio Mané3. Kylian Mbappe4. Cristiano Ronaldo5. Thiago Alcantara

BRAZILMauricio Savarese

AP1. Robert Lewandowski2. Neymar3. Trent Alexander-Arnold4. Serge Gnabry5. Kevin De Bruyne

BULGARIAMetodi

ShumanovFreelance1. Robert Lewandowski2. Virgil van Dijk3. Serge Gnabry4. Sadio Mané5. Romelu Lukaku

BURUNDIElvis Iradukunda

BETV1. Manuel Neuer2. Robert Lewandowski3. Sadio Mané4. Kylian Mbappe5. Cristiano Ronaldo

CAMEROONNjie Enow

CRTV1. Robert Lewandowski2. Kevin De Bruyne3. Sadio Mané4. Virgil van Dijk5. Lionel Messi

CANADAKiyan Sobhani

Freelance1. Robert Lewandowski2. Lionel Messi3. Kevin De Bruyne4. Cristiano Ronaldo5. Neymar

CHADNesta Yamgoto

Tchadinfos1. Robert Lewandowski2. Kevin De Bruyne3. Cristiano Ronaldo4. Karim Benzema5. Neymar

CHINAJiang Mengxi

CGTN1. Robert Lewandowski2. Mohamed Salah3. Kylian Mbappe4. Kevin De Bruyne5. Joshua Kimmich

COLOMBIACarl Worswick

Freelance1. Robert Lewandowski2. Lionel Messi3. Neymar4. Sadio Mané5. Erling Haaland

COOK ISLANDSRashneel Kumar

Cook Islands News1. Robert Lewandowski2. Lionel Messi3. Cristiano Ronaldo4. Thomas Muller5. Karim Benzema

COSTA RICARodrigo Calvo

Buzon De Rodrigo1. Robert Lewandowski2. Joshua Kimmich3. Lionel Messi4. Kevin De Bruyne5. Marquinhos

CROATIAIvan Tomic

Freelance1. Robert Lewandowski2. Neymar3. Andrew Robertson4. Manuel Neuer5. Sergio Ramos

CZECH REPUBLICKarel Haring

Freelance1. Robert Lewandowski2. Cristiano Ronaldo3. Kevin De Bruyne4. Erling Haaland5. Trent Alexander-Arnold

DENMARKJohan

Lyngholm-BjergeFreelance1. Robert Lewandowski2. Virgil van Dijk3. Kylian Mbappe4. Lionel Messi5. Cristiano Ronaldo

DR CONGOMichel Tobo

foot.cd1. Robert Lewandowski2. Kylian Mbappe3. Ciro Immobile4. Lionel Messi5. Serge Gnabry

EGYPTMarwan Saeed

Freelance1. Robert Lewandowski2. Kevin De Bruyne3. Virgil van Dijk4. Mohamed Salah5. Bruno Fernandes

EL SALVADORClaudio Martinez

Pencho y Aida FM1. Robert Lewandowski2. Manuel Neuer3. Lionel Messi4. Ciro Immobile5. Sergio Ramos

ENGLANDChris Flanagan

FourFourTwo1. Robert Lewandowski2. Sadio Mané3. Kevin De Bruyne4. Neymar5. Erling Haaland

ESTONIAAngelo Palmeri

Freelance1. Robert Lewandowski2. Romelu Lukaku3. Ciro Immobile4. Erling Haaland5. Mohamed Salah

ETHIOPIAHaileegziabher

AdhanomSuperSport1. Robert Lewandowski2. Sadio Mané3. Cristiano Ronaldo4. Lionel Messi5. Kevin De Bruyne

FAROEISLANDS

Trondur ArgeSosialurin1. Robert Lewandowski2. Lionel Messi3. Cristiano Ronaldo4. Kevin De Bruyne5. Thomas Muller

FINLANDJoonas Partanen

Iltalehti1. Robert Lewandowski2. Cristiano Ronaldo3. Joshua Kimmich4. Bruno Fernandes5. Erling Haaland

FRANCEFabien Fougeray

CANAL+1. Robert Lewandowski2. Thiago Alcantara3. Son Heung-min4. Erling Haaland5. Trent Alexander-Arnold

GAMBIAMomodou Bah

CAFOnline1. Robert Lewandowski2. Kevin De Bruyne3. Sadio Mané4. Bruno Fernandes5. Manuel Neuer

GERMANYJonathan Harding

DW Sports1. Robert Lewandowski2. Joshua Kimmich3. Erling Haaland4. Leon Goretzka5. Manuel Neuer

GHANABernard Neequaye

Daily Graphic1. Robert Lewandowski2. Kevin De Bruyne3. Kylian Mbappe4. Sadio Mané5. Trent Alexander-Arnold

GREECEVasilis Sambrakos

gazzetta.gr1. Robert Lewandowski2. Joshua Kimmich3. Manuel Neuer4. Thomas Muller5. Kevin De Bruyne

HUNGARYGyorgy Szollosi

FourFourTwo Hungary1. Robert Lewandowski2. Kylian Mbappe3. Joshua Kimmich4. Cristiano Ronaldo5. Manuel Neuer

ICELANDJohann

SigurdssonFreelance1. Robert Lewandowski2. Cristiano Ronaldo3. Lionel Messi4. Kevin De Bruyne5. Virgil van Dijk

INDIAMihir Vasavda

Indian Express1. Robert Lewandowski2. Kylian Mbappe3. Kevin De Bruyne4. Sadio Mané5. Joshua Kimmich

INDONESIATio Prasetyo

Box2Box1. Robert Lewandowski2. Bruno Fernandes3. Virgil van Dijk4. Alphonso Davies5. Trent Alexander-Arnold

IRANBabak Golriz

Sport3601. Robert Lewandowski2. Lionel Messi3. Kevin De Bruyne4. Karim Benzema5. Sadio Mané

ISRAELMichael Yokhin

Freelance1. Thomas Muller2. Robert Lewandowski3. Kevin De Bruyne4. Joshua Kimmich5. Trent Alexander-Arnold

!ITALY Emanuele

GiulianelliFreelance1. Robert Lewandowski 2. Thomas Muller 3. Kylian Mbappe 4. Mohamed Salah 5. Cristiano Ronaldo

H E n D O : H U G E I n S O U T H K O R E AThey saw, they voted: 101 journalists from 101 nations on six continents handed FFT their picks for 2020’s top players, and their winner was clear...

1 Robert Lewandowski (561 points)2 Kevin De Bruyne (120 points)3 Sadio Mané (113 points)4 Lionel Messi (101 points)5 Cristiano Ronaldo (98 points)6 Manuel Neuer (69 points)7 Virgil van Dijk (67 points)8 Kylian Mbappe (64 points)9 Joshua Kimmich (59 points)10 Neymar (48 points)11 Erling Haaland (43 points)12 Mohamed Salah (42 points)13 Thomas Muller (36 points)14 Sergio Ramos (27 points)15= Thiago Alcantara (23 points)

15= Serge Gnabry (23 points)17 Ciro Immobile (21 points)18 Son Heung-min (18 points)19 Alphonso Davies (15 points)20 Romelu Lukaku (14 points)21 Trent Alexander-Arnold (13 points)22 Karim Benzema (11 points)23 Bruno Fernandes (10 points)24 Alisson (7 points)25 Marquinhos (4 points)26= Leon Goretzka (3 points)26= Andrew Robertson (3 points)28 Harry Kane (2 points)29 Jordan Henderson (1 point)30 Angel Di Maria (0 points)

One of the highlights of every Ballon d’Or vote is poring over the polls for puzzling choices.

First, however, an explainer: FFT’s 30-strong shortlist was picked in-house, then passed to our global army of experts.Spare a thought for poor Angel Di Maria – the only man to get nil points. Curiously, four on the panel felt Robert Lewandowski deserved zilch. Tough crowd...

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!JAPAN Koki Harada

Tokyo Chunichi 1. Robert Lewandowski 2. Virgil van Dijk 3. Cristiano Ronaldo 4. Son Heung-min5. Ciro Immobile

!JORDAN Mohammed

AwaadAlroeya 1. Robert Lewandowski2. Sadio Mané3. Lionel Messi4. Kylian Mbappe5. Romelu Lukaku

!KENYA Charles Nyende

Nation 1. Robert Lewandowski2. Cristiano Ronaldo3. Serge Gnabry4. Lionel Messi5. Karim Benzema

!KOSOVOBajram Shala

RTV 21 1. Robert Lewandowski 2. Sergio Ramos 3. Sadio Mané 4. Joshua Kimmich5. Kylian Mbappe

!LEBANON Mohamed Fawaz

Almustaqbal 1. Robert Lewandowski 2. Kevin De Bruyne 3. Cristiano Ronaldo 4. Lionel Messi5. Mohamed Salah

!LIBERIA Anthony Kokoi

KMTV 1. Robert Lewandowski 2. Cristiano Ronaldo 3. Lionel Messi 4. Sergio Ramos5. Kylian Mbappe

!LIBYA Morad Dkeel

WTV-Libya 1. Joshua Kimmich2. Robert Lewandowski3. Kevin De Bruyne4. Erling Haaland5. Thiago Alcantara

!MACAU Pedro Santos

Ponto Final 1. Cristiano Ronaldo2. Mohamed Salah3. Manuel Neuer4. Lionel Messi5. Bruno Fernandes

!MADAGASCAR Haja Lucas

RakotondrazakaL’Express de Madagascar1. Robert Lewandowski 2. Thiago Alcantara 3. Lionel Messi 4. Neymar5. Manuel Neuer

!MALAWI Peter Kanjere

Freelance1. Robert Lewandowski2. Lionel Messi3. Cristiano Ronaldo4. Manuel Neuer5. Kevin De Bruyne

!MALAYSIA Vijhay Vick

Johor Darul Ta’zim 1. Robert Lewandowski 2. Cristiano Ronaldo 3. Kylian Mbappe 4. Lionel Messi5. Mohamed Salah

!MEXICO Jason Marquitz

soccermexicana.com1. Sadio Mané 2. Robert Lewandowski3. Neymar4. Trent Alexander-Arnold5. Serge Gnabry

!MONTENEGRO Danilo Mitrovic

ND Vijesti1. Robert Lewandowski 2. Manuel Neuer 3. Neymar 4. Trent Alexander-Arnold5. Thomas Muller

!MOROCCOMohamed Amine

El Amri Le Matin 1. Robert Lewandowski 2. Manuel Neuer 3. Romelu Lukaku 4. Sadio Mané5. Karim Benzema

!NAMIBIA Sheefeni

NikodemusThe Namibian 1. Robert Lewandowski 2. Son Heung-min 3. Marquinhos 4. Ciro Immobile5. Sadio Mané

!NETHERLANDS Guus Hetterscheid

Freelance 1. Robert Lewandowski 2. Sadio Mané 3. Kevin De Bruyne 4. Lionel Messi5. Cristiano Ronaldo

!NEW ZEALAND Gordon Watson

OFC TV 1. Robert Lewandowski 2. Cristiano Ronaldo 3. Kylian Mbappe 4. Lionel Messi5. Virgil van Dijk

!NICARAGUA Gunther Kuse

Freelance 1. Robert Lewandowski2. Cristiano Ronaldo3. Kevin De Bruyne4. Joshua Kimmich5. Virgil van Dijk

!NIGERIA Tolu Olasoji

Freelance 1. Robert Lewandowski 2. Sadio Mané3. Neymar4. Serge Gnabry5. Kevin De Bruyne

NORTHERN IRELAND

Keith Bailie County Down Spectator 1. Robert Lewandowski2. Lionel Messi3. Alphonso Davies4. Kevin De Bruyne5. Erling Haaland

!NORWAYThore Haugstad

NRK Sport1. Robert Lewandowski2. Virgil van Dijk3. Lionel Messi4. Kevin De Bruyne5. Thomas Muller

!OMAN Ashok Purohit

Muscat Daily 1. Robert Lewandowski 2. Kevin De Bruyne 3. Cristiano Ronaldo 4. Mohamed Salah5. Sergio Ramos

!PAKISTAN Umaid Wasim

dawn.com 1. Robert Lewandowski 2. Thomas Muller3. Neymar4. Kevin De Bruyne5. Romelu Lukaku

!PERU Victor Zaferson

Freelance 1. Thomas Muller 2. Erling Haaland 3. Kylian Mbappe 4. Thiago Alcantara5. Leon Goretzka

!PHILIPPINES Ryan Fenix

GMA News Online 1. Robert Lewandowski2. Manuel Neuer3. Kevin De Bruyne4. Lionel Messi5. Cristiano Ronaldo

!POLAND Zbigniew

MuchagPilka Nozna 1. Robert Lewandowski 2. Manuel Neuer 3. Joshua Kimmich 4. Sergio Ramos5. Sadio Mané

!PORTUGALValter Marques

Record 1. Robert Lewandowski 2. Cristiano Ronaldo3. Virgil van Dijk4. Thiago Alcantara5. Kylian Mbappe

!QATARMitch Freeley

beIN SPORTS 1. Robert Lewandowski2. Sadio Mané3. Virgil van Dijk 4. Kylian Mbappe5. Sergio Ramos

!REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

David SneydFreelance 1. Robert Lewandowski 2. Thiago Alcantara3. Serge Gnabry 4. Sadio Mané5. Erling Haaland

!ROMANIA Emanuel Rosu

Freelance 1. Robert Lewandowski2. Lionel Messi3. Manuel Neuer4. Thiago Alcantara5. Cristiano Ronaldo

!RUSSIA Artur Petrosyan

Freelance 1. Robert Lewandowski 2. Sadio Mané 3. Lionel Messi 4. Virgil van Dijk5. Son Heung-min

!RWANDAPeter Kamasa

The New Times1. Sadio Mané 2. Neymar 3. Mohamed Salah 4. Kylian Mbappe5. Thiago Alcantara

!SAUDI ARABIA Atef Nahass

Freelance 1. Robert Lewandowski 2. Mohamed Salah 3. Sadio Mané 4. Thiago Alcantara5. Kylian Mbappe

SCOTLAND Kenny Millar

Freelance 1. Robert Lewandowski 2. Mohamed Salah3. Virgil van Dijk4. Erling Haaland5. Alphonso Davies

!SENEGALAdama Ndione

RTS 1. Robert Lewandowski 2. Sadio Mané 3. Thomas Muller 4. Karim Benzema5. Kevin De Bruyne

!SERBIAVladimir Novak

Freelance 1. Robert Lewandowski2. Virgil van Dijk3. Neymar4. Manuel Neuer5. Joshua Kimmich

!SIERRA LEONE Alusine Rehme

WilsonNorthern Times 1. Alphonso Davies 2. Sadio Mané 3. Mohamed Salah 4. Cristiano Ronaldo5. Kylian Mbappe

SINGAPORE Jeremy Lim

Freelance 1. Robert Lewandowski2. Mohamed Salah3. Serge Gnabry4. Virgil van Dijk5. Sadio Mané

!SLOVAKIA Martin Rendek

Hospodarske noviny 1. Robert Lewandowski2. Kevin De Bruyne3. Kylian Mbappe4. Lionel Messi5. Joshua Kimmich

!SOUTH AFRICA

Juandre JoubertFourFourTwo SA 1. Virgil van Dijk2. Robert Lewandowski3. Sadio Mané4. Erling Haaland5. Kevin De Bruyne

!SOUTH KOREA Steve Han

Goal1. Robert Lewandowski 2. Joshua Kimmich 3. Kylian Mbappe 4. Karim Benzema5. Jordan Henderson

!SPAIN Jon Prada

Marca1. Robert Lewandowski2. Joshua Kimmich3. Sergio Ramos4. Kylian Mbappe5. Lionel Messi

!SURINAMEDesney Romeo

ABC TV 1. Robert Lewandowski2. Manuel Neuer 3. Kevin De Bruyne4. Virgil van Dijk5. Sergio Ramos

!SWEDEN Lee Roden

Sveriges Radio1. Virgil van Dijk2. Lionel Messi3. Robert Lewandowski4. Cristiano Ronaldo5. Erling Haaland

!SWITZERLAND Eva Tedesco

20 Minuten 1. Joshua Kimmich2. Robert Lewandowski3. Sergio Ramos4. Romelu Lukaku5. Sadio Mané

!TANZANIA Salim Masoud Said

SandalsForGoalposts 1. Robert Lewandowski 2. Kylian Mbappe3. Cristiano Ronaldo 4. Lionel Messi5. Sergio Ramos

!TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

Lasana Liburdwired868.com 1. Robert Lewandowski 2. Kevin De Bruyne 3. Sadio Mané 4. Neymar5. Lionel Messi

!TUNISIA Abdesslam

DhaifallahRadio Mosaique FM 1. Robert Lewandowski 2. Manuel Neuer 3. Kylian Mbappe 4. Cristiano Ronaldo5. Mohamed Salah

!TURKEYSimge Yazici

FourFourTwo Turkey1. Robert Lewandowski2. Alisson3. Neymar4. Cristiano Ronaldo5. Erling Haaland

!UGANDAIsmael Kiyonga

Kawawo Sports1. Robert Lewandowski 2. Sergio Ramos 3. Erling Haaland 4. Kevin De Bruyne 5. Alphonso Davies

!UKRAINE Andriy Kudyrko

ua-football.com1. Robert Lewandowski 2. Sadio Mané 3. Kevin De Bruyne 4. Ciro Immobile5. Erling Haaland

!UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

John McAuleyThe National 1. Robert Lewandowski 2. Joshua Kimmich 3. Cristiano Ronaldo 4. Lionel Messi5. Sadio Mané

!USAMartin

HarasimowiczFreelance 1. Robert Lewandowski2. Son Heung-min 3. Mohamed Salah4. Sadio Mané5. Lionel Messi

!VENEZUELAHugo Chavez

Lider 1. Kevin De Bruyne2. Robert Lewandowski3. Sadio Mané4. Thomas Muller5. Neymar

!VIETNAM Tran Duc Truong

zing.vn 1. Robert Lewandowski 2. Manuel Neuer 3. Cristiano Ronaldo 4. Lionel Messi 5. Neymar

WALES Huw Davies

Freelance 1. Kevin De Bruyne2. Robert Lewandowski3. Son Heung-min4. Harry Kane5. Alphonso Davies

!ZIMBABWE Grace Chingoma

The Herald1. Robert Lewandowski 2. Erling Haaland 3. Kevin De Bruyne 4. Sadio Mané 5. Alphonso Davies

FourFourTwo January 2021 37

So, you’ve seen who our global panel of experts plumped for, but who would make your A-list? Compile your top five players for 2020, then head to Twitter and let us know #FFT2020Best

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JI SO-YUnChelsea | South Korea | 0 PTS

Throughout Ji’s time at Chelsea, which!now stretches eight seasons, Blues coach Emma Hayes has hailed her 29-year-old attacker as one of the world’s best players; one with the potential to reach its summit, even. Chelsea have acquired plenty of talent over the past year as they try to conquer Europe, yet their success is as dependent on her as any of the other stars. Sadly, while she was included in FFT’s 20-woman shortlist, voters weren’t sold.

SARAH BOUHADDILyon | France | 0 PTS

Bouhaddi has taken her share of criticism for some, ahem, adventurous play in goal, but she remains the No.1 for world-beaters Lyon and nabbed UEFA’s goalkeeper of the season prize. A recent quarrel at international level leaves her future with France uncertain, but the 34-year-old still has plenty of road ahead. One thing is for certain, at least: watching Bouhaddi will never be dull.

EWA PAJORWolfsburg | Poland | 0 PTS

Completing our trio of pointless shortlisters is striker Pajor, who earned major approval as the Frauen-Bundesliga’s top goal-getter in 2018-19. The Pole followed up with a fine 16-goal campaign as Die Wolfinnen clinched another title in 2020, before a knee injury in September unfortunately finished her year early. Nevertheless, the forward, 24, remains among Europe’s brightest talents.

bDEnISE O’SULLIVAnNorth Carolina/Brighton | Ireland | 1 PT

Don’t allow the Ireland international’s slight frame to fool you: she’s one of the toughest midfielders in the women’s game. O’Sullivan is also one of the best. Her team-mates at North Carolina –!who include multiple World Cup winners –!consistently praise her as the lynchpin to their success, making Brighton’s loan swoop for her in September something of a coup. The 26-year-old does a lot of her team’s dirty work and hasn’t always got the credit for it. Thankfully, that’s now changing.

SARA BJORK GUnnARSDOTTIRWolfsburg/Lyon | Iceland | 1 PT

Iceland hardly pop off the tongue as a world power, but Gunnarsdottir has made herself a fixture at two of Europe’s top teams. She netted in the 2020 Champions League Final to help Lyon defeat Wolfsburg again, having only switched from the German side in July. Gunnarsdottir’s space-finding talents and movement in midfield are outstanding, while her ability to command the ball in crowded areas speaks to the 30-year-old’s composure. Iceland’s 2018 Sportsperson of the Year is a classy operator.

GURO REITEnChelsea | Norway | 2 PTS

The noise around Norway at the 2019 World Cup was about who wasn’t with their team, in disgruntled star striker Ada Hegerberg, but on the pitch, Reiten showed the world why she’s one of the most promising midfielders. She was shortlisted for the PFA Player of the Year award in her first, pandemic-shortened year at Chelsea in 2019-20, when the Blues’ 26-year-old exhibited all the swagger and confidence that makes her so special. Reiten has fought for playing time at Kingsmeadow this season, but a recent contract extension through to 2023 indicates how valuable she is to Hayes & Co in west London.

_ MARIE-AnTOInETTE KATOTOPSG | France | 2 PTS

France have long underwhelmed at major tournaments despite a golden generation of talent, but Les Bleues will rely on Katoto for goalscoring in crucial moments if they are to improve going forward. Having just turned 22, she’s the future for both France and PSG. Katoto is a multi-faceted threat with the ball at her feet and in the air, and led the Division 1 Feminine with 16 goals in 15 games of its shortened 2019-20 campaign. In November, she hit the winner as PSG toppled the mighty Lyon in their first head-to-head of this season – the latter’s first league defeat in four years.Katoto is going places, averaging 1.46 goal contributions (including assists) per league appearance, which isn’t far off Hegerberg’s blistering rate thus far.

ALEXAnDRA POPPWolfsburg | Germany | 3 PTS

Striker Popp is an intimidating presence who commands attention on the pitch whether she’s in front of goal or dropping deeper. The 29-year-old has become a leader for both Wolfsburg and Germany, while consecutive double-digit goal tallies have also made her a more consistent threat at the sharp end. She’s a big reason why Wolfsburg reached the Champions League final in 2020, and her importance was laid bare this season when injury forced her to miss the German giants’ 4-1 hammering at key rivals Bayern Munich. Now that must have hurt.

AMEL MAJRILyon | France | 4 PTS

Majri has long defined the modern, attacking full-back as someone capable of not only creating but finishing in the final third. And that’s why she’s no longer solely a full-back. The 27-year-old’s innate technical ability – particularly, a gifted left foot –!have pushed her higher upfield for Lyon, not just on the wings but sometimes centrally, depending on the opponent. Majri’s skillset is such that she’s now a vital component of the world’s best club team in multiple, distinct positions.

ALEXIA PUTELLASBarcelona | Spain | 5 PTS

March 2020 feels so long ago, but Putellas’ performance at the SheBelieves Cup marked the rise of both player and country as Spain continue to challenge the incumbent world powers. Putellas plays with the confidence you might expect from a traditional Spanish playmaker, combining her technical talents with a dominant physical presence. Still only 26, she remains a focal point of Barcelona’s surge to prominence in the women’s game, and should be a huge part of Spain’s push to contend for 2022 Euros honours in England.

KA TOTO H IT T HE WInnER AS PSG BEAT M IGHTY LYOn In nOVEM BER – S H E ’ S T H E F U T U R E O F F R A n C E

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BETHAnY EnGLAnD Chelsea | England | 7 PTS

Landing the WSL title was just reward for England’s terrific campaign at Chelsea, which she closed out by scoring in each of their last nine games. That was enough to bag her the league’s player of the season honour as well, then ink a new four-year contract to finish off her magnificent year. Not bad for a forward who “didn’t fit in” at the London outfit once upon a time, according to former club-mate Eni Aluko. No more. “She’s the best English No.9 in the country,” glowed manager Hayes.

DEBInHANorth Carolina | Brazil | 8 PTS

The torch has officially been passed in Brazil. There may never again be a talent like Marta, but Debinha is the attacking midfielder Pia Sundhage will build a team around. She has hugely improved her consistency to become a wily playmaker in possession, and a deadly finisher from any distance. Her sumptuous nutmeg-to-top-corner strike against Houston in September was a small sample of why she is the leading player in the NWSL right now.

EUGEnIE LE SOMMER Lyon | France | 11 PTS

Becoming Les Bleues’ highest goalscorer of all time in September capped another joyous year for Le Sommer, who has been around for 10 of Lyon’s 12 consecutive title wins. She helped to make it a fifth straight Champions League triumph too, cracking open the final against Wolfsburg with the kind of dogged finishing that has made her such a force up top for a decade.

CHRISTIAnE EnDLERPSG | Chile | 18 PTS

Chile’s No.1 was given an endorsement from Hope Solo during the 2019 World Cup, and for good reason: the athletic shot-stopper is capable of replicating Solo’s trademark brand of stunning saves. Endler denies efforts that most players wouldn’t expect to be repelled, showing off agility and range which has set the bar for goalkeeping in women’s football.

DELPHInE CASCARInO Lyon | France | 18 PTS

Consistency was always up for discussion with the 23-year-old,!but 2020 was the year she began trying to silence it for good. Lyon’s academy poster girl was player of the match in the Champions League final, contributing heavily to their opening two goals in a superb right-wing display. Having started the 2019 and 2018 editions on the bench, Cascarino is now influencing Lyon’s biggest matches from the start with her fearless repertoire of tricks.

DZSEnIFER MAROZSAnLyon | Germany | 33 PTS

We just don’t talk about Marozsan enough. Perhaps injuries play a role in that – a broken toe severely limited her impact at the 2019 World Cup, for example. Perhaps Lyon have become so dominant!too, though,!that we’ve grown bored of their never-ending success. But Marozsan is 28, in the prime of her career – and absolutely brilliant. The stylish German has a rare ability to make the sublime seem effortless as a playmaker or while netting from distance, and is still women’s football’s standard-bearer in her No.10 role.

b LUCY BROnZE Lyon/Manchester City | England | 59 PTS

Bronze returned home to Manchester City in the summer after three seasons away – and eight major trophies at Lyon to show for her travails abroad. The Northumberland native was the UEFA Women’s Player of the Year in 2019, third this time out, and by now there is little doubt of her standing as the world’s best right-back (or, if you ask Lionesses boss Phil Neville, “the best player in the world”). Nineteen of FFT’s 27 panelists for the female vote had Bronze in the points –!four of them in top spot –!indicating just how highly rated England’s star is beyond Europe.

WEnDIE REnARD Lyon | France | 63 PTS

A Lyon veteran of 15 seasons, having arrived from Martinique in 2006, Renard could have easily laid claim to top spot in 2020 after another excellent year in which she nudged ahead of Bronze in UEFA’s elite line-up and captained Lyon to customary dominance. The 30-year-old may be a centre-back – the world’s best at the moment –!but Renard is also an astonishing goalscorer thanks to her prowess at set-pieces: sensationally, she has managed double-digit goal tallies for four seasons and counting. A leader by example.

VIVIAnnE MIEDEMA Arsenal | Netherlands | 76 PTS

When Miedema struck her 60th goal for the Netherlands in June 2019, she became the Oranje’s record goalscorer. She was 22 years old. In 2020, Arsenal’s hotshot laid claim to another milestone when her treble against Spurs made her the WSL’s all-time top scorer – in 60 fewer games than the former record holder, Nikita Parris. Having led the league for goals in 2019-20 – for the second season running – it took her just five games of this term to reach 10 strikes. You get the idea: now 24, Miedema is just about as lethal as they come – and scarily, still getting better.

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