Greatest Players by Position of Each Decade (1930 - Present)

I've recently completed this positional ranking for every decade since 1930 which I thought I'd share here. If you would prefer to see it with a better lay-out you can click HERE.

PLA, GLD & SIL means Platinum, Gold and Silver, with 5 tiers in each, 'I' highest, 'V' lowest. I explain the rating system and how players are evaluated HERE.

The rankings aren't based on a player's performance across a whole decade, as it's unfair on players who peaked at the end of one and the start of another. Instead, it's simply the best players seen in a given decade. A player can only be included in a single decade's list, so I've tried to assess when their peak was.

Second strikers are merged into other lists due to it being a more specialised role in most decades - they are given an *asterisk. They are usually placed in the attacking-midfield or striker list, with the exception of Angel Romano, Hristo Stoichkov and Lionel Messi, who are listed as wingers/wide-forwards.

The margins are usually quite close in the lists so are always open to change in future, all opinions welcome of course.

Pre-30's Positional Ranking

GOALKEEPERS
1. H.Stuhlfauth (GER) GLD V
2. A.Tesoriere (ARG) GLD V
3. Samuel Hardy (ENG) SIL I
4. Karoly Zsak (HUN) SIL I
5. Andres Mazali (URU) SIL I
6. Ferenc Plattko (HUN) SIL I
7. Elisha Scott (NIR) SIL II
8. P.Chayrigues (FRA) SIL II
9. Leigh R. Roose (WAL) SIL II
10. Jean De Bie (BEL) SIL II

CENTRE-BACKS
1. L.Bidoglio (ARG) GLD V
2. Roy Goodall (ENG) SIL I
3. Nick Ross (SCO) SIL I
4. David Meiklejohn (SCO) SIL I
5. Charlie Roberts (ENG) SIL I
6. Alex Raisbeck (SCO) SIL I
7. Karoly Fogl (HUN) SIL II
8. Bok De Korver (NET) SIL II
9. Willie McStay (SCO) SIL II
10. Fred Keenor (WAL) SIL II

FULL-BACKS
1. Renzo De Vecchi (ITA) GLD IV
2. Bob Crompton (ENG) GLD V
3. Juan Evaristo (ARG) SIL I
4. Josef Blum (AUT) SIL I
5. Neilly Gibson (SCO) SIL I
6. Bill McCracken (NIR) SIL II
7. Fritz Tarp (DEN) SIL II
8. Rudolf Ramseyer (SWI) SIL II
9. A.Swartenbroeks (BEL) SIL II
10. Jozsef Fogl (HUN) SIL II
11. Karl Rainer (AUT) SIL II
12. Harry Denis (NET) SIL II
13. J.Pennington (ENG) SIL II
14. Howard Spencer (ENG) SIL II
15. Alfredo Foglino (URU) SIL II

MIDFIELDERS (DMs/CMs)
1. Jose L.Andrade (URU) GLD II
2. Karl Pesek Kada (CZE) GLD IV
3. M.Fleitas Solich (PAR) GLD V
4. Amilcar Barbuy (BRA) GLD V
5. Ernst Needham (ENG) GLD V
6. Nils Middelboe (DEN) SIL I
7. Puck Van Heel (NET) SIL I
8. Jimmy McMullan (SCO) SIL I
9. Jimmy Gibson (SCO) SIL I
10. L.Fernandez (URU) SIL I
11. Hans Kalb (GER) SIL I
12. Andy Aitken (SCO) SIL I
13. Francisco Olazar (ARG) SIL I
14. F.Kolenaty (CZE) SIL I
15. Jose M.Belauste (SPA) SIL I
16. Peter McWilliam (SCO) SIL I
17. James Cowan (ENG) SIL I
18. Colin Veitch (ENG) SIL I
19. Agostinho Fortes (BRA) SIL II
20. Jimmy Crabtree (ENG) SIL II

ATTACKING-MIDFIELDERS
*1. Hector Scarone (URU) GLD II
*2. A.Baloncieri (ITA) GLD III
3. Gyorgy Orth (HUN) GLD III
4. Josep Samitier (SPA) GLD IV
*5. Billy Walker (ENG) GLD V
*6. K.Konrad (HUN) GLD V
*7. Nolo Ferreira (ARG) GLD V
*8. Bobby Walker (SCO) GLD V
9. Rene Petit (FRA) SIL I
10. Fritz Gschweidl (AUT) SIL I
*11. David Jack (ENG) SIL I
12. Neco (BRA) SIL I
*13. J.McMenemy (SCO) SIL I
*14. Max Abegglen (SWI) SIL I
*15. C.Stephenson (ENG) SIL I

WINGERS / WIDE-FORWARDS
1. Billy Meredith (WAL) GLD IV
2. Alan Morton (SCO) GLD IV
*3. Angel Romano (URU) GLD V
4. Alex Jackson (SCO) SIL I
5. Patsy Gallacher (IRE) SIL I
6. Pedro Calomino (ARG) SIL I
7. Billy Bassett (ENG) SIL I
8. Alex Smith (SCO) SIL I
9. Jozsef Braun (HUN) SIL I
10. Eugen Kipp (GER) SIL I

STRIKERS / CENTRE-FORWARDS
1. Dixie Dean (ENG) GLD II
2. A.Friedenreich (BRA) GLD III
*3. M.Seoane (ARG) GLD IV
*4. I.Schlosser (HUN) GLD IV
5. J.Piendibene (URU) GLD IV
6. Jimmy McGrory (SCO) GLD IV
7. Pedro Petrone (URU) GLD IV
8. H.Gallacher (SCO) GLD IV
8. Jozsef Takacs (HUN) GLD V
9. Steve Bloomer (ENG) GLD V
11. Charlie Buchan (ENG) GLD V
12. A.Schaffer (HUN) GLD V
*13. Pedro Cea (URU) GLD V
14. Julio Libonatti (ARG) SIL I
15. Poul Tist Nielsen (DEN) SIL I
*16. John Goodall (ENG) SIL I
17. Alberto Ohaco (ARG) SIL I
*18. Viv Woodward (ENG) SIL I
19. Paulino Alcan. (PHI) SIL I
20. Sven Rydell (SWE) SIL I
*21. Hans Horvath (AUT) SIL I
*22. I.Gradin (URU) SIL I
23. Otto Harder (GER) SIL I
24. D.Tarasconi (ARG) SIL I
*25. Vaclav Pilat (CZE) SIL I

Honourable Mentions:
Ned Doig, Jorge Brown, Billy Wedlock, Joe Dodds, Warney Cresswell, Jimmy Gordon, Jan Studnicka, Alf Common, George Holley, Fred Spiksley, Charlie Athersmith, Jules Dewaquez, Jan De Natris, Alfredo Carricaberry, Vilmos Kohut, Ferdinand Wesley, Jock Rutherford, Fred Morris, Josef Silny, Felix Sesumaga, Robert Hamilton, Adolf Jager, Luigi Cevenini, Ferenc Hirzer, Josef Pottinger, Pichichi, Jimmy Quinn, John Campbell, Pedro Ochoa, Nilo Murtinho Braga, Dave Halliday, Gino Rossetti

1930's Positional Ranking

GOALKEEPERS
1. Ricardo Zamora (SPA) GLD III
2. F.Planicka (CZE) GLD III
3. Gianpiero Combi (ITA) GLD IV
4. Rudi Hiden (AUT) GLD V
5. Franjo Glaser (CRO) SIL I
6. Aldo Olivieri (ITA) SIL I
7. Hans Jakob (GER) SIL I
8. Harry Hibbs (ENG) SIL II
9. Antal Szabo (HUN) SIL II
10. Juan Valdivieso (PER) SIL II

CENTRE-BACKS
1. Jose Nasazzi (URU) GLD II
2. D.Da Guia (BRA) GLD III
3. J.Quincoces (SPA) GLD IV
4. Severino Minelli (SWI) GLD IV
5. L.Goldbrunner (GER) GLD V
6. R.Munzenberg (GER) GLD V
7. Stan Cullis (ENG) SIL I
8. Wilf Copping (ENG) SIL I
9. Otto Tibulsky (GER) SIL II
10. Willi Schmaus (AUT) SIL II

FULL-BACKS
1. Paul Janes (GER) GLD IV
2. Alfredo Foni (ITA) GLD V
3. Pietro Rava (ITA) GLD V
4. Eddie Hapgood (ENG) GLD V
5. Karl Sesta (AUT) GLD V
6. U.Caligaris (ITA) GLD V
7. Virginio Rosetta (ITA) SIL I
8. Eraldo Monzeglio (ITA) SIL I
9. Luigi Allemandi (ITA) SIL I
10. E.Blenkinsop (ENG) SIL II
11. Sandor Biro (HUN) SIL II
12. Milutin Ivkovic (SER) SIL II
13. Jaroslav Burgr (CZE) SIL II
14. George Male (ENG) SIL II
15. Etienne Mattler (FRA) SIL II

MIDFIELDERS (DMs/CMs)
1. Luis Monti (ARG) GLD III
2. Antonio Sastre (ARG) GLD III
3. Alex James (SCO) GLD IV
4. Josef Smistik (AUT) GLD V
5. F.Bernardini (ITA) GLD V
6. Michele Andreolo (ITA) SIL I
7. Walter Nausch (AUT) SIL I
8. Ugo Locatelli (ITA) SIL I
9. Ernesto Lazzatti (ARG) SIL I
10. Albin Kitzinger (GER) SIL I
11. Alvaro Gestido (URU) SIL I
12. Jose M.Minella (ARG) SIL I
13. Luigi Bertolini (ITA) SIL I
14. Attilio Ferraris (ITA) SIL I
15. Fausto D.Santos (BRA) SIL I
16. Joe Mercer (ENG) SIL I
17. M.Arsenijevic (SER) SIL I
18. Josef Kostalek (CZE) SIL I
19. Segundo Castillo (PER) SIL I
20. Pedro A.Suarez (ARG) SIL I

ATTACKING-MIDFIELDERS
*1. Gyorgy Sarosi (HUN) GLD I
2. Giovanni Ferrari (ITA) GLD III
3. Fritz Szepan (GER) GLD IV
*4. O.Nejedly (CZE) GLD IV
*5. Peter Doherty (NIR) GLD V
*6. Raich Carter (ENG) SIL I
7. Renato Cesarini (ARG) SIL I
*8. Iuliu Baratky (ROU) SIL I
*9. F. Varallo (ARG) SIL I
*10. Luis Regueiro (SPA) SIL I

WINGERS / WIDE-FORWARDS
1. Raimundo Orsi (ARG) GLD III
2. Carlos Peucelle (ARG) GLD IV
3. Enrique Garcia (ARG) GLD IV
4. Antonin Puc (CZE) GLD V
5. Cliff Bastin (ENG) GLD V
6. Eric Brook (ENG) GLD V
7. Ernst Lehner (GER) GLD V
8. Amedeo Biavati (ITA) GLD V
9. Ferenc Sas (HUN) SIL I
10. Karl Zischek (AUT) SIL I
11. Sammy Crooks (ENG) SIL I
12. Arne Brustad (NOR) SIL I
13. Gino Colaussi (ITA) SIL I
14. A.Tirnanic (SER) SIL I
15. Enrique Guaita (ARG) SIL I

STRIKERS / CENTRE-FORWARDS
*1. G.Meazza (ITA) PLA V
*2. M.Sindelar (AUT) GLD I
3. Arsenio Erico (PAR) GLD I
4. Silvio Piola (ITA) GLD II
5. Leonidas DS. (BRA) GLD III
*6. Ernst Kuzorra (GER) GLD IV
7. Franz Binder (AUT) GLD IV
8. G.Zsengeller (HUN) GLD IV
9. R.Braine (BEL) GLD IV
10. Anton Schall (AUT) GLD IV
*11. R.Porta (URU) GLD IV
12. R.Hofmaan (GER) GLD V
13. Isidro Langara (SPA) GLD V
*14. Iuliu Bodola (ROU) GLD V
15. H.Masantonio (ARG) GLD V
16. T.Fernandez (PER) GLD V
17. Severino Varela (URU) GLD V
18. Istvan Avar (ROU) GLD V
19. B.Ferreyra (ARG) GLD V
20. Angelo Schiavio (ITA) GLD V
21. P.Jorgensen (DEN) GLD V
*22. A.Gonzalez (PAR) GLD V
*23. Anibal Ciocca (URU) SIL I
24. Andre Abegglen (SWI) SIL I
25. Geza Toldi (HUN) SIL I
26. F.Svoboda (CZE) SIL I
27. Kick Smit (NET) SIL I
*28. Otto Siffling (GER) SIL I
29. B.Voorhoof (BEL) SIL I
30. Felice Borel (ITA) SIL I
31. Laszlo Cseh (HUN) SIL I
32. Ivan Hitrec (CRO) SIL I
33. Roberto Cherro (ARG) SIL I
34. Delfin B.Caceres (PAR) SIL I
35. Ted Drake (ENG) SIL I
36. B.Marjanovic (SER) SIL I
37. Jean Nicolas (FRA) SIL I
38. Edmund Conen (GER) SIL I
39. G.Stabile (ARG) SIL I
40. George Camsell (ENG) SIL I

Honourable Mentions:
Alexis Thepot, Bertus Caldenhove, Ludwig Leinberger, Francisco Fedullo, Jorge Alcalde, Tommy Walker, Adolf Urban, Stanley Vanden Eynde, Alfred Aston, Ellis Rimmer, Teleco, Vlastimil Kopecky, Raul Toro, Beb Bakhuys, Tom Waring, Alejandro Scopelli, Jean Capelle, Gordon Hodgson, Jorgen Juve, Stefan Dobay, Guillermo Gorostiza, Alejandro Morena, Hector Castro, Alejandro Villanueva

1940's Positional Ranking

GOALKEEPERS
1. Frank Swift (ENG) GLD V
2. S.Livingstone (CHI) GLD V
3. Moacir Barbosa (BRA) SIL I
4. Valerio Bacigalupo (ITA) SIL I
5. Julien Darui (FRA) SIL I
6. Alexei Khomich (RUS) SIL II
7. Apostol Sokolov (BUL) SIL II
8. Jose Soriano (PER) SIL II
9. Anibal Paz (URU) SIL II
10. Joao Azevedo (POR) SIL II

CENTRE-BACKS
1. Neil Franklin (ENG) GLD IV
2. Carlo Parola (ITA) GLD V
3. Jose Salomon (ARG) SIL I
4. TG. Jones (WAL) SIL I
5. Willie Woodburn (SCO) SIL I
6. Aldo Ballarin (ITA) SIL I
7. Mario Rigamonti (ITA) SIL I
8. George Young (SCO) SIL II
9. Sandor Szucs (HUN) SIL II
10. Oscar Basso (ARG) SIL II

FULL-BACKS
1. Johnny Carey (IRE) GLD V
2. B.Stankovic (SER) GLD V
3. Carlos Sosa (ARG) GLD V
4. Virgilio Maroso (ITA) GLD V
5. Erik Nilsson (SWE) SIL I
6. S.Gambetta (URU) SIL I
7. Ferenc Rudas (HUN) SIL II
8. Augusto Da Costa (BRA) SIL II
9. Norberto Yacono (ARG) SIL II
10. George Hardwick (ENG) SIL II

MIDFIELDERS (DMs/CMs)
1. Obdulio Varela (URU) GLD III
2. Danilo Alvim (BRA) GLD IV
3. Zlatko Cajkovski (CRO) GLD IV
4. Andreas Kupfer (GER) GLD V
5. Iosif Petschovsky (ROU) SIL I
6. Axel Pilmark (DEN) SIL I
7. Angel Perucca (ARG) SIL I
8. Ezio Loik (ITA) SIL I
9. Natalio Pescia (ARG) SIL I
10. Sune Andersson (SWE) SIL I

ATTACKING-MIDFIELDERS
*1. Jose M.Moreno (ARG) PLA V
2. Zizinho (BRA) GLD I
3. Valentino Mazzola (ITA) GLD I
*4. A.Pedernera (ARG) GLD II
5. Jair Da Rosa (BRA) GLD IV
6. Larbi Benbarek (MOR) GLD IV
7. Gunnar Gren (SWE) GLD IV
8. Rinaldo Martino (ARG) GLD IV
*9. Karl Decker (AUT) GLD IV
10. N.Mendez (ARG) GLD V
*11. V.De La Mata (ARG) GLD V
*12. Claudio (BRA) GLD V
13. Karl A.Hansen (DEN) SIL I
*14. Wilf Mannion (ENG) SIL I
15. L.De La Fuente (MEX) SIL I

WINGERS / WIDE-FORWARDS
1. Felix Loustau (ARG) GLD IV
2. Chico (BRA) SIL I
3. Manuel Pelegrina (ARG) SIL I
4. Tesourinha (BRA) SIL I
5. Juan C.Munoz (ARG) SIL I
6. Agustin Gainza (SPA) SIL I
7. Mario Boye (ARG) SIL II
8. Helge Bronee (DEN) SIL II
9. Friaca (BRA) SIL II
10. Romeo Menti (ITA) SIL II

STRIKERS / CENTRE-FORWARDS
1. Ademir (BRA) GLD II
2. Josef Bican (AUT) GLD II
*3. A.Labruna (ARG) GLD III
4. Telmo Zarra (SPA) GLD III
5. H.De Freitas (BRA) GLD IV
6. Tommy Lawton (ENG) GLD IV
*7. Stjepan Bobek (CRO) GLD IV
8. Rene Pontoni (ARG) GLD IV
9. Ferenc Deak (HUN) GLD V
*10. A.Amadei (ITA) GLD V
11. F.Peyroteo (POR) GLD V
12. E.Wilimowski (POL) GLD V
13. Jef Mermans (BEL) GLD V
14. Atilio Garcia (URU) GLD V
15. V.Bobrov (RUS) GLD V
16. G.Gabetto (ITA) GLD V
*17. John A.Hansen (DEN) SIL I
18. Ferenc Szusza (HUN) SIL I
19. Boris Paichadze (GEO) SIL I
*20. Tim (BRA) SIL I
21. Edmundo Suarez (SPA) SIL I
22. Sylvio Pirillo (BRA) SIL I
23. Jack Rowley (ENG) SIL I
24. Grigory Fedotov (RUS) SIL I
25. Cesar Rodriguez (SPA) SIL I

Honourable Mentions:
Modesto Bria, Walther Christensen, Billy Steel, Len Shackleton, Jorgen Sorensen, Emilio Baldonedo, Alfred Bickel, Franco Ossola, Albert De Cleyn, Jose Peracio

1950's Positional Ranking

GOALKEEPERS
1. Vladimir Beara (CRO) GLD IV
2. Amadeo Carrizo (ARG) GLD IV
3. Gyula Grosics (HUN) GLD IV
4. Roque Maspoli (URU) GLD V
5. Bert Trautmann (GER) GLD V
6. Antoni Ramallets (SPA) GLD V
7. Walter Zeman (AUT) SIL I
8. Carlos Castilho (BRA) SIL I
9. Lorenzo Buffon (ITA) SIL I
10. Toni Turek (GER) SIL I
11. Antonio Carbajal (MEX) SIL I
12. Kalle Svensson (SWE) SIL II
13. Harry Gregg (NIR) SIL II
14. Jack Kelsey (WAL) SIL II
15. F.Herkenrath (GER) SIL II

CENTRE-BACKS
1. J.Santamaria (URU) GLD III
2. Billy Wright (ENG) GLD IV
3. Mauro Ramos (BRA) GLD IV
4. Robert Jonquet (FRA) GLD V
5. H.Bellini (BRA) GLD V
6. Jesus Garay (SPA) GLD V
7. Josef Posipal (GER) GLD V
8. Ernst Happel (AUT) GLD V
9. Cor Van Der Hart (NET) GLD V
10. Herbert Erhardt (GER) SIL I
11. Orlando Pecanha (BRA) SIL I
12. Pedro Dellacha (ARG) SIL I
13. Gyula Lorant (HUN) SIL I
14. William Martinez (URU) SIL I
15. Ivica Horvat (CRO) SIL I
16. Ake Johansson (SWE) SIL I
17. A.Bashashkin (RUS) SIL I
18. Manol Manolov (BUL) SIL I
19. Werner Liebrich (GER) SIL I
20. A.Apolzan (ROU) SIL II


FULL-BACKS
1. Nilton Santos (BRA) GLD II
2. Djalma Santos (BRA) GLD III
3. Branko Zebec (CRO) GLD IV
4. Sergio Cervato (ITA) GLD V
5. Erich Juskowiak (GER) GLD V
6. Joan Segarra (SPA) SIL I
7. Mikhail Ogonkov (RUS) SIL I
8. Horst Eckel (GER) SIL I
9. Roger Marche (FRA) SIL I
10. O.Bergmark (SWE) SIL I
11. Roger Byrne (ENG) SIL II
12. Nilton De Sordi (BRA) SIL II
13. Mihaly Lantos (HUN) SIL II
14. A.Van Brandt (BEL) SIL II
15. Federico Vairo (ARG) SIL II
16. Eric Caldow (SCO) SIL II
17. Jeno Buzanszky (HUN) SIL II
18. Alf Ramsey (ENG) SIL II
19. Sandor Matrai (HUN) SIL II
20. Don Howe (ENG) SIL II

MIDFIELDERS (DMs/CMs)
1. Didi (BRA) GLD I
2. Jozsef Boszik (HUN) GLD II
3. Ernst Ocwirk (AUT) GLD II
4. G.Hanappi (AUT) GLD III
5. Duncan Edwards (ENG) GLD III
6. VR.Andrade (URU) GLD III
7. Igor Netto (RUS) GLD III
8. H.Szymaniak (GER) GLD IV
9. Nestor Rossi (URU) GLD IV
10. Jose C.Bauer (BRA) GLD V
11. Karl Koller (AUT) GLD V
12. Dino Sani (BRA) GLD V
13. S.Pluskal (BRA) GLD V
14. J.Dickinson (ENG) SIL I
15. Yuriy Voynov (UKR) SIL I

ATTACKING-MIDFIELDERS
1. Raymond Kopa (FRA) GLD I
2. J.A.Schiaffino (URU) GLD I
*3. Fritz Walter (GER) GLD II
4. Nils Liedholm (SWE) GLD III
*5. N.Hidegkuti (HUN) GLD III
*6. Roger Piantoni (FRA) GLD V
*7. Max Morlock (GER) GLD V
8. Alberto Terry (PER) GLD V
*9. Hector Rial (SPA) GLD V
10. Ernesto Grillo (ARG) GLD V
*11. Walter Gomez (URU) GLD V
*12. A.Angelillo (ARG) SIL I
*13. Edvaldo Dida (BRA) SIL I
14. Jimmy Mcllroy (NIR) SIL I
15. H.Maschio (ARG) SIL I

WINGERS / WIDE-FORWARDS
1. S.Matthews (ENG) PLA V
2. Francisco Gento (SPA) GLD II
3. Tom Finney (ENG) GLD II
4. Julinho (BRA) GLD II
5. Bernard Vukas (CRO) GLD III
6. Omar Corbatta (ARG) GLD IV
7. Zoltan Czibor (HUN) GLD IV
8. Helmut Rahn (GER) GLD IV
9. L.Skoglund (SWE) GLD IV
10. E.Basora (SPA) GLD IV
11. Karl A.Praest (DEN) GLD IV
12. Hans Schafer (GER) GLD V
13. Istvan Nyers (HUN) GLD V
14. Bora Kostic (SER) GLD V
15. Alcides Ghiggia (URU) GLD V
16. Canhoteiro (BRA) GLD V
17. E.Hormazabal (CHI) SIL I
18. Sandor Karoly (HUN) SIL I
19. Billy Liddell (SCO) SIL I
20. Mario Zagallo (BRA) SIL I
21. Julio Abbadie (URU) SIL I
22. Jean Vincent (FRA) SIL I
23. Ivan Kolev (BUL) SIL I
24. Jacques Fatton (SWI) SIL I
25. Peter McParland (NIR) SIL I

STRIKERS / CENTRE-FORWARDS
*1. A.Di Stefano (ARG) PLA III
*2. Ferenc Puskas (HUN) PLA IV
*3. Laszlo Kubala (HUN) PLA V
4. Sandor Kocsis (HUN) GLD I
5. Gunnar Nordahl (SWE) GLD II
6. John Charles (WAL) GLD II
7. Just Fontaine (FRA) GLD II
*8. E.Streltsov (RUS) GLD III
9. Abe Lenstra (NET) GLD III
10. Faas Wilkes (NET) GLD IV
*11. G.Boniperti (ITA) GLD IV
12. Nat Lofthouse (ENG) GLD V
13. M.Milutinovic (SER) GLD V
14. Jose Sanfilippo (ARG) GLD V
*15. Henri Coppens (BEL) GLD V
16. Stan Mortensen (ENG) SIL I
*17. Rajko Mitic (SER) SIL I
18. Jose Aguas (POR) SIL I
19. Robert Dienst (POR) SIL I
20. Oscar Miguez (URU) SIL I
21. Jackie Milburn (ENG) SIL I
*22. Ernst Stojaspal (AUT) SIL I
23. Thadee Cisowski (FRA) SIL I
24. Valeriano Lopez (PER) SIL I
25. Tommy Taylor (ENG) SIL I
*26. Ernest Pohl (POL) SIL I
27. Erich Probst (AUT) SIL I
*28. Ivor Allchurch (WAL) SIL I
*29. Peter Palotas (HUN) SIL I
30. Eulogio Martinez (PAR) SIL I

Honourable Mentions:
Edward Szymkowiak, Rogelio Dominguez, Guillermo Delgado, Bengt Gustavsson, Ferenc Sipos, Heriberto Herrera, Alf Sherwood, Roel Wiersma, Francisco Lombardo, Eliseo Mourino, Kees Rijvers, Chinesinho, Jean-Jacques Marcel, Mengalivo, Aki Schmidt, Jose Travassos, Joseph Ujlaki, Luizinho Trochillo, Ron Flowers, Bobby Mitchell, Laszlo Budai, Vujadin Boskov, Alfred Koener, Nikita Simonyan, Baltazar, Josef Hugi, Jorge Robledo, Lucas Matateu, Coen Dillen, Denis Wilshaw, Todor Diev, Todor Veselinovic, Gerard Cieslik, Paulo Valentim

 

1960's Positional Ranking

GOALKEEPERS
1. Lev Yashin (RUS) GLD I
2. Gordon Banks (ENG) GLD III
3. L.Mazurkiewicz (URU) GLD IV
4. Gilmar (BRA) GLD IV
5. Enrico Albertosi (ITA) GLD IV
6. Jose A.Iribar (SPA) GLD IV
7. Giuliano Sarti (ITA) GLD V
8. Hans Tilkowski (GER) GLD V
9. Viliam Schrojf (CZE) SIL I
10. Antonio Roma (ARG) SIL I
11. Manga (BRA) SIL I
12. Fabio Cudicini (ITA) SIL I
13. Agustin Cejas (ARG) SIL I
14. Milutin Soskic (KOS) SIL I
15. E.P.Graafland (NET) SIL II
16. Ronnie Simpson (SCO) SIL II
17. G.Naydenov (BUL) SIL II
18. Ron Springett (ENG) SIL II
19. P.Radenkovic (SER) SIL II
20. Jean Nicolay (BEL) SIL II

CENTRE-BACKS
1. Bobby Moore (ENG) GLD I
2. Velibor Vasovic (SER) GLD III
3. A.Shesternyov (RUS) GLD IV
4. R.Perfumo (ARG) GLD IV
5. Armando Picchi (ITA) GLD IV
6. Willi Schulz (GER) GLD IV
7. Jan Popluhar (SVA) GLD IV
8. Roberto Rosato (ITA) GLD V
9. Cesare Maldini (ITA) GLD V
10. S.Salvadore (ITA) GLD V
11. Germano (POR) GLD V
12. Wolfgang Weber (GER) GLD V
12. Jack Charlton (ENG) SIL I
13. Billy McNeill (SCO) SIL I
14. Kalmon Meszoly (HUN) SIL I
16. Roberto Matosas (URU) SIL I
17. Roberto Dias (BRA) SIL I
18. Rafael Albrecht (ARG) SIL I
19. Klaus Fichtel (GER) SIL I
20. Mike England (WAL) SIL I

FULL-BACKS
1. Giacinto Facchetti (ITA) GLD I
2. KH.Schnellinger (GER) GLD III
3. Silvio Marzolini (ARG) GLD IV
4. Tarcisio Burgnich (ITA) GLD IV
5. Luis Eyzaguirre (CHI) GLD V
6. Jimmy Armfield (ENG) GLD V
7. Klaus Urbanczyk (GER) GLD V
8. Fahrudin Jusufi (KOS) GLD V
9. Tommy Gemmell (SCO) SIL I
10. Ladislav Novak (CZE) SIL I
11. Hilario (POR) SIL I
12. Mirsad Fazlagic (BOS) SIL I
13. Ray Wilson (ENG) SIL I
14. Terry Cooper (ENG) SIL II
15. George Cohen (ENG) SIL II
16. A.Shalamanov (BUL) SIL II
17. Feliciano Rivilla (SPA) SIL II
18. Giacomo Losi (ITA) SIL II
19. Alex Elder (NIR) SIL II
20. Tony Dunne (IRE) SIL II

MIDFIELDERS (DMs/CMs)
1. Luis Suarez (SPA) GLD I
2. Josef Masopust (CZE) GLD II
3. Mario Coluna (POR) GLD III
4. Pirri (SPA) GLD III
5. D.Blanchflower (NIR) GLD IV
6. Valery Voronin (RUS) GLD IV
7. Zito (BRA) GLD IV
8. Jim Baxter (SCO) GLD IV
9. Dave Mackay (SCO) GLD IV
10. D.Sekularac (NMA) GLD IV
11. G.Bulgarelli (ITA) GLD IV
12. Luis Del Sol (SPA) GLD V
13. Johnny Giles (IRE) GLD V
14. G.De Sisti (ITA) GLD V
15. Martin Peters (ENG) GLD V
16. Colin Bell (ENG) GLD V
17. N.Goncalves (URU) GLD V
18. Antonio Rattin (ARG) GLD V
19. Alan Ball (ENG) SIL I
20. Janos Gorocs (HUN) SIL I
21. Luis Aragones (SPA) SIL I
22. Zeljko Perusic (CRO) SIL I
23. Nobby Stiles (ENG) SIL I
24. Bobby Murdoch (SCO) SIL I
25. Adelardo (SPA) SIL I
26. Antonio Juliano (ITA) SIL I
27. P.Bonga Bonga (DRC) SIL I
28. Marti Verges (SPA) SIL I
29. Stjepan Lamza (CRO) SIL I
30. Ruben Marcos (CHI) SIL I

ATTACKING-MIDFIELDERS
1. Bobby Charlton (ENG) PLA V
2. Gianni Rivera (ITA) PLA V
*3. Omar Sivori (ARG) GLD I
4. Sandro Mazzola (ITA) GLD II
5. Pedro Rocha (URU) GLD IV
6. Ademir Da Guia (BRA) GLD IV
*7. John Haynes (ENG) GLD IV
8. Valentin Ivanov (RUS) GLD V
9. Ermindo Onega (ARG) GLD V
10. Dimitar Yakimov (BUL) SIL I

WINGERS / WIDE-FORWARDS
1. Garrincha (BRA) PLA IV
2. George Best (NIR) PLA IV
3. Dragan Dzajic (SER) GLD II
4. J.Johnstone (SCO) GLD III
5. Kurt Hamrin (SWE) GLD III
6. Pepe (BRA) GLD III
7. Amancio Amaro (SPA) GLD IV
8. Helmut Haller (GER) GLD IV
9. Coen Moulijn (NET) GLD IV
10. Juan Joya (PER) GLD IV
11. Luis Cubilla (URU) GLD V
12. Mario Corso (ITA) GLD V
13. Leonel Sanchez (CHI) GLD V
14. Jose Augusto (POR) GLD V
15. Jef Jurion (BEL) GLD V
16. Gigi Meroni (ITA) GLD V
17. Sjaark Swart (NET) SIL I
18. Jair Da Costa (BRA) SIL I
19. Cliff Jones (WAL) SIL I
20. Juan R.Veron (ARG) SIL I
21. Juan Seminario (PER) SIL I
22. Sigfried Held (GER) SIL I
23. W.Henderson (SCO) SIL I
24. Mikheil Meskhi (GEO) SIL I
25. Eberhard Vogel (GER) SIL I
26. A.Domenghini (ITA) SIL I
27. Antonio Simoes (POR) SIL I
28. Igor Chislenko (RUS) SIL I
29. Slava Metreveli (GEO) SIL I
30. John White (SCO) SIL I

STRIKERS / CENTRE-FORWARDS
*1. Pele (BRA) PLA I
2. Eusebio (POR) PLA IV
3. Uwe Seeler (GER) GLD II
4. Gigi Riva (ITA) GLD II
5. Jimmy Greaves (ENG) GLD II
6. Denis Law (SCO) GLD II
*7. F.Albert (HUN) GLD III
8. A.Spencer (ECU) GLD III
*9. P.Van Himst (BEL) GLD III
10. Ferenc Bene (HUN) GLD III
11. Jose Altafini (BRA) GLD IV
12. Luis Artime (ARG) GLD IV
13. G.Asparuhov (BUL) GLD IV
14. Coutinho (BRA) GLD IV
15. Vava (BRA) GLD V
*16. Amarildo (BRA) GLD V
17. Milan Galic (BOS) GLD V
18. Ove Kindvall (SWE) GLD V
19. Lajos Tichy (HUN) GLD V
20. Geoff Hurst (ENG) SIL I
21. Janos Farkas (HUN) SIL I
22. Quarentinha (BRA) SIL I
23. Agne Simonsson (SWE) SIL I
24. Roger Hunt (ENG) SIL I
25. Jozef Adamec (SVA) SIL

Honourable Mentions:
Miguel Angel Santoro, Julio Melendez, Bernard Bosquier, Laurent Verbiest, Federico Sacchi, Jose Ramos Delgado, Djalma Dias, Domiciano Cavem, Jean Djorkaeff, Luis Ubina, Bent Hansen, Poul Jensen, Keith Newton, Bernd Patzke, Omar Caetano, Ante Zanetic, Mel Charles, Alan Mullery, Giovanni Trapattoni, Victor Benitez, Francisco Valdes, Andrej Kvasnak, Andriy Biba, Joaquin Peiro, Bobby Lennox, Enrique Collar, Dorval, Mate Fenyvesi, Evaristo, Harald Nielsen, Waldo, Alex Young, Ole Madsen, Francis Lee, Ian St John

1970's Positional Ranking

GOALKEEPERS
1. Dino Zoff (ITA) GLD II
2. Sepp Maier (GER) GLD III
3. Peter Shilton (ENG) GLD III
4. Ubaldo Fillol (ARG) GLD III
5. Pat Jennings (NIR) GLD IV
6. Jurgen Croy (GER) GLD IV
7. Ivo Viktor (CZE) GLD IV
8. R.Hellstrom (SWE) GLD V
9. Emerson Leao (BRA) GLD V
10. J.Van Beveren (NET) GLD V
11. Ray Clemence (ENG) GLD V
12. J.Tomaszewski (POL) GLD V
13. Yevhen Rudakov (RUS) GLD V
14. Hugo Gatti (ARG) SIL I
15. Luciano Castellini (ITA) SIL I
16. Manuel Bento (POR) SIL I
17. Vitor Damas (POR) SIL I
18. Christian Piot (BEL) SIL I
19. Ivan Curkovic (BOS) SIL II
20. Enver Maric (BOS) SIL II

CENTRE-BACKS
1. F.Beckenbauer (GER) PLA IV
2. D.Passarella (ARG) GLD I
3. Elias Figueroa (CHI) GLD II
4. H.Chumpiatz (PER) GLD III
5. Luis Pereira (BRA) GLD III
6. Marius Tresor (FRA) GLD IV
7. Anton Ondrus (SVA) GLD V
8. M.Khurtsilava (GEO) GLD V
9. Rinus Israel (NET) GLD V
10. Barry Hulshoff (NET) GLD V
11. Hans J.Dorner (GER) GLD V
12. W.Zmuda (POL) GLD V
13. H.Schwarzenbeck (GER) GLD V
14. Humberto Coelho (POR) SIL I
15. Atilio Ancheta (URU) SIL I
16. Roy McFarland (ENG) SIL I
17. Colin Todd (ENG) SIL I
18. Josip Katalinski (BOS) SIL I
19. Migueli (SPA) SIL I
20. Bjorn Nordqvist (SWE) SIL I
21. H.Blankenburg (GER) SIL I
22. Dimitar Penev (BUL) SIL I
23. Dragan Holcer (SVE) SIL I
24. Jerzy Gorgon (POL) SIL I
25. Phil Thompson (ENG) SIL I

FULL-BACKS
1. Ruud Krol (NET) GLD II
2. Carlos Alberto (BRA) GLD II
3. Berti Vogts (GER) GLD III
4. Marinho Chagas (BRA) GLD IV
5. Danny McGrain (SCO) GLD V
6. Emlyn Hughes (ENG) GLD V
7. Phil Neal (ENG) GLD V
8. Wim Suurbier (NET) GLD V
9. Nelinho (BRA) SIL I
10. Ricardo Pavoni (URU) SIL I
11. Horst D.Hottges (GER) SIL I
12. A.Tarantini (ARG) SIL I
13. Bernard Dietz (GER) SIL I
14. John Greig (SCO) SIL I
15. Karol Dobias (SVA) SIL I
16. Evgeny Lovchev (RUS) SIL II
17. Sandy Jardine (SCO) SIL II
18. Jorge Olguin (ARG) SIL II
19. Pablo Forlan (URU) SIL II
20. Gerard Janvion (FRA) SIL II
21. A.Szymanowski (POL) SIL II
22. Ze Maria (BRA) SIL II
23. Wladimir (BRA) SIL II
24. Robert Sara (AUT) SIL II
25. Artur Correia (POR) SIL II

MIDFIELDERS (DMs/CMs)
1. Johan Neeskens (NET) GLD II
2. Paul Breitner (GER) GLD II
3. W.Van Hanegam (NET) GLD III
4. Gerson (BRA) GLD III
5. Billy Bremner (SCO) GLD III
6. Ossie Ardiles (ARG) GLD IV
7. Cesar Cueto (PER) GLD IV
8. Rainer Bonhof (GER) GLD V
9. W.Van Moer (BEL) GLD V
10. Clodoaldo (BRA) GLD V
11. Arie Haan (NET) GLD V
12. Bo Larsson (SWE) GLD V
13. Wilson Piazza (BRA) SIL I
14. Romeo Benetti (ITA) SIL I
15. V.Muntyan (UKR) SIL I
16. W.Van D.Kerkhof (NET) SIL I
17. Branko Oblak (SVE) SIL I
18. Herbert Wimmer (GER) SIL I
19. V.Petrovic (SER) SIL I
20. Jose Velasquez (PER) SIL I
21. Jovan Acimovic (SER) SIL I
22. Renato Zaccarelli (ITA) SIL I
23. Wim Jansen (HUN) SIL I
24. Heinz Flohe (GER) SIL I
25. Viktor Kolotov (UKR) SIL I

ATTACKING-MIDFIELDERS
*1. Johan Cruyff (NET) PLA III
2. Zico (BRA) PLA IV
3. Rivellino (BRA) GLD I
4. Gunter Netzer (GER) GLD III
5. Teofilo Cubillas (PER) GLD III
6. K.Deyna (POL) GLD III
7. W.Overath (GER) GLD III
8. Nicolae Dobrin (ROU) GLD IV
9. N.Alonso (ARG) GLD IV
10. Liam Brady (IRE) GLD V
11. W.VD.Kuijlen (NET) GLD V
12. M.Brindisi (ARG) GLD V
13. Dirceu Guim. (BRA) GLD V
*14. Hugo Sotil (PER) GLD V
15. A.Panenka (CZE) GLD V
16. Hristo Bonev (BUL) GLD V
17. David Kipiani (GEO) GLD V
18. Dirceu Lopes (BRA) SIL I
19. Hans-J. Kreische (GER) SIL I
20. Trevor Brooking (ENG) SIL I

WINGERS / WIDE-FORWARDS
1. Jairzinho (BRA) GLD II
2. Piet Keizer (NET) GLD III
3. R.Rensenbrink (NET) GLD III
4. Grzegorz Lato (POL) GLD IV
5. Franco Causio (SCO) GLD IV
6. Rene Houseman (ARG) GLD IV
7. J.Grabowski (GER) GLD V
8. Daniel Bertoni (ARG) GLD V
9. Johnny Rep (NET) GLD V
10. Oscar Mas (ARG) GLD V
11. Robert Gadocha (POL) SIL I
12. Edu (BRA) SIL I
13. Caju (BRA) SIL I
14. Willington Ortiz (COL) SIL I
15. John Robertson (SCO) SIL I
16. Leivinha (BRA) SIL I
17. Peter Lorimer (SCO) SIL I
18. Laszlo Fazekas (HUN) SIL I
19. B.Holzenbein (GER) SIL I
20. Uli Hoeness (GER) SIL I
21. Claudio Sala (ITA) SIL I
22. R.Van D.Kerkhof (NET) SIL I
23. Marian Masny (SVA) SIL I
24. Juan J.Munante (PER) SIL I
25. R.Magnusson (SWE) SIL I

STRIKERS / CENTRE-FORWARDS
1. Gerd Muller (GER) PLA IV
*2. Oleg Blokhin (UKR) GLD II
*3. Tostao (BRA) GLD II
*4. Kevin Keegan (ENG) GLD II
*5. M.Kempes (ARG) GLD III
*6. A.Simonsen (DEN) GLD III
7. Roberto Bettega (ITA) GLD III
8. Reinaldo (BRA) GLD IV
9. W.Lubanski (POL) GLD IV
10. Hans Krankl (AUT) GLD IV
11. Jupp Heynckes (GER) GLD V
12. R.Dinamite (BRA) GLD V
*13. H.Jensen (DEN) GLD V
14. F.Morena (URU) GLD V
15. Carlos Bianchi (ARG) GLD V
16. Josip Skoblar (CRO) GLD V
17. Santillana (SPA) GLD V
18. Cha Bum-Kun (SKO) GLD V
19. Ruud Geels (NET) SIL I
20. Klaus Fischer (GER) SIL I
21. R.Boninsegna (ITA) SIL I
22. Joachim Streich (GER) SIL I
23. Quini (SPA) SIL I
24. Giorgio Chinaglia (ITA) SIL I
25. F.Dumitrache (ROU) SIL I

Honourable Mentions:
Norbert Nigbur, Bernd Franke, Simeon Simeonov, Norman Hunter, Rolf Russman, Per Rontved, Francisco Sa, Bernd Bransch, Cornel Dinu, Osvaldo Piazza, Ivan Buljan, Laszlo Balint, Alberto Quintano, Antonello Cuccureddu, Enrique Wolff, Johnny Hansen, Revaz Dzodzuashvili, Paul Reaney, Marco Antonio, Mick Mills, Everaldo, Fabio Capello, Colin Harvey, Roberto Challe, Paulo Carpegiani, Rene Vandereycken, Jurica Jerkovic, Leonid Buryak, Frans Thijssen, Roberto Filippi, Carlos Babington, Manfred Burgsmuller, Joao Alves, Ramon Mifflin, Gerrie Muhren, Jurgen Sparwasser, Juan Manuel Asensi, Kristen Nygaard, Eddie Gray, Ian Callaghan, Steve Heighway, Juan Carlos Oblitas, Didier Six, Julio Morales, Carlos Caszely, Ralf Edstrom, Pietro Anastasi, Ruben Ayala, Trevor Francis, Hector Yazalde, Slobodan Santrac, Andrzej Szarmach

1980's Positional Ranking

GOALKEEPERS
1. Rinat Dasayev (RUS) GLD IV
2. Jean-M.Pfaff (BEL) GLD IV
3. Walter Zenga (ITA) GLD IV
4. M.Preud'Homme (BEL) GLD IV
5. T.Schumacher (GER) GLD IV
6. N.Southall (WAL) GLD IV
7. H.Van Breukelen (NET) GLD V
8. Luis Arconada (SPA) GLD V
9. J.Mylnarczyk (POL) GLD V
10. Stefano Tacconi (ITA) SIL I
11. Uli Stein (GER) SIL I
12. R.Rodriguez (URU) SIL I
13. Thomas N'Kono (CAM) SIL I
14. Franco Tancredi (ITA) SIL I
15. Giovanni Galli (ITA) SIL I
16. Francisco Buyo (SPA) SIL II
17. Roberto Rojas (CHI) SIL II
18. Joseph-A.Bell (CAM) SIL II
19. Eike Immel (GER) SIL II
20. Joel Bats (FRA) SIL II

CENTRE-BACKS
1. Franco Baresi (ITA) PLA V
2. Gaetano Scirea (ITA) GLD II
3. Ronald Koeman (NET) GLD II
4. K.Forster (GER) GLD III
5. P.Vierchowod (ITA) GLD III
6. Alan Hansen (SCO) GLD IV
7. Oscar Ruggeri (ARG) GLD IV
8. Paul McGrath (IRE) GLD IV
9. Morten Olsen (DEN) GLD IV
10. Bruno Pezzey (AUT) GLD IV
11. Rune Bratseth (NOR) GLD V
12. Ricardo Ferri (ITA) GLD V
13. Edinho (BRA) GLD V
14. Oleh Kuznetsov (SPA) GLD V
15. Fulvio Collovati (POR) SIL I
16. Hugo De Leon (URU) SIL I
17. K.Augenthaler (GER) SIL I
18. Dario Pereyra (URU) SIL I
19. Antonio Maceda (SPA) SIL I
20. Glenn Hysen (SWE) SIL I
21. David O'Leary (IRE) SIL I
22. Mark Lawrenson (IRE) SIL I
23. Walter Meeuws (BEL) SIL I
24. Willie Miller (SCO) SIL I
25. A.Chivadze (GEO) SIL I
26. Oscar Bernardi (BRA) SIL I
27. Carlos Mozer (BRA) SIL I
28. Ditmar Jakobs (GER) SIL I
29. A.Goikoetxea (SPA) SIL I
30. Giuseppe Baresi (ITA) SIL I

FULL-BACKS
1. Antonio Cabrini (ITA) GLD III
2. G.Bergomi (ITA) GLD III
3. Claudio Gentile (ITA) GLD IV
4. Leo Junior (ITA) GLD IV
5. Manfred Kaltz (GER) GLD IV
6. Manuel Amoros (FRA) GLD IV
7. Eric Gerets (BEL) GLD IV
8. Jose A.Camacho (ITA) GLD V
9. Hans P.Briegel (GER) GLD V
10. Leandro (BRA) GLD V
11. Maxime Bossis (FRA) GLD V
12. A.Demyanenko (UKR) GLD V
13. Rafael Gordillo (SPA) SIL I
14. V.Bezsonov (UKR) SIL I
15. Mauro Tassotti (ITA) SIL I
16. Kenny Sansom (ENG) SIL I
17. Josimar (BRA) SIL I
18. Patrick Battison (FRA) SIL I
19. Joao Pinto (POR) SIL I
20. Viv Anderson (ENG) SIL II

MIDFIELDERS (DMs/CMs)
1. Frank Rijkaard (NET) GLD II
2. Paolo R.Falcao (BRA) GLD II
3. Jean Tigana (FRA) GLD III
4. Marco Tardelli (ITA) GLD III
5. Alain Giresse (FRA) GLD III
6. Bryan Robson (ENG) GLD III
7. Toninho Cerezo (BRA) GLD III
8. Herbert Prohaska (AUT) GLD IV
9. Graeme Souness (SCO) GLD IV
10. C.Valderrama (COL) GLD IV
11. Uli Stielike (GER) GLD V
12. Felix Magath (GER) GLD V
13. Soren Lerby (DEN) GLD V
14. Luis Fernandez (FRA) GLD V
15. O.Zavarov (UKR) GLD V
16. Alemao (BRA) SIL I
17. Giuseppe Giannini (ITA) SIL I
18. Lajos Detari (HUN) SIL I
19. Americo Gallego (ARG) SIL I
20. Salvatore Bagni (ITA) SIL I
21. O.Mykhaylychenko (UKR) SIL I
22. Aron Winter (NET) SIL I
23. Victor Munoz (SPA) SIL I
24. Carlo Ancelotti (ITA) SIL I
25. Carlos Manuel (POR) SIL I

ATTACKING-MIDFIELDERS
1. D.Maradona (ARG) PLA II
2. Michel Platini (FRA) PLA IV
3. Ruud Gullit (NET) PLA V
4. Socrates (BRA) GLD II
5. B.Schuster (GER) GLD III
6. Z.Boniek (POL) GLD III
7. R.Bochini (ARG) GLD III
8. G.Antognoni (ITA) GLD III
9. J.Ceulemans (BEL) GLD IV
10. Safet Susic (BOS) GLD IV
11. Glenn Hoddle (ENG) GLD IV
12. Romerito (PAR) GLD V
13. Tibor Nyilasi (HUN) GLD V
14. F.Cherenkov (RUS) GLD V
15. Ilie Balaci (ROU) GLD V
16. J.Burruchaga (ARG) SIL I
17. Frank Arnesen (DEN) SIL I
18. Ruben Paz (URU) SIL I
19. A.Sigurvinsson (ICE) SIL I
20. Julio C.Uribe (PER) SIL I

WINGERS / WIDE-FORWARDS
1. Bruno Conti (ITA) GLD IV
2. Paulo Futre (POR) GLD IV
3. John Barnes (ENG) GLD IV
4. Michel (SPA) GLD V
5. P.Littbarski (GER) GLD V
6. Eder (BRA) GLD V
7. Chris Waddle (ENG) GLD V
8. G.Strachan (SCO) SIL I
9. F. Chalana (POR) SIL I
10. A.Alzamendi (URU) SIL I
11. Davie Cooper (SCO) SIL I
12. R.Shengelia (GEO) SIL I
13. D.Rocheteau (FRA) SIL I
14. F.Vercauteren (BEL) SIL I
15. W.Schachner (AUT) SIL II

STRIKERS / CENTRE-FORWARDS
1. M.Van Basten (NET) PLA IV
*2. KH.Rummenigge (GER) GLD I
*3. Kenny Dalglish (SCO) GLD II
4. Hugo Sanchez (MEX) GLD II
5. Careca (BRA) GLD III
6. Paolo Rossi (ITA) GLD III
7. E.Butragueno (SPA) GLD III
8. Gary Lineker (ENG) GLD IV
9. Ian Rush (WAL) GLD IV
*10. Bebeto (BRA) GLD IV
11. Rudi Voller (GER) GLD IV
12. Preben Elkjaer (DEN) GLD IV
*13. Igor Belanov (UKR) GLD V
14. Klaus Allofs (GER) GLD V
*15. J.Gonzalez (ELS) GLD V
16. Toni Polster (AUT) GLD V
17. A.Altobelli (ITA) GLD V
*18. Roger Milla (CAM) SIL I
19. E.Vandenbergh (BEL) SIL I
20. Fernando Gomes (POR) SIL I
21. Horst Hrubesch (GER) SIL I
22. Oleh Protasov (UKR) SIL I
23. Jorge Valdano (ARG) SIL I
24. Roberto Pruzzo (ITA) SIL I
25. Torbjorn Nilsson (SWE) SIL I

Honourable Mentions:
Jim Leighton, Kevin Ratcliffe, Mauro Galvao, Ricardo Gomes, Costica Stefanescu, Terry Butcher, Richard Gough, Ricardo Rocha, Luizinho, Jaime Duarte, Jan Heintze, Vasyl Rats, Julio Olarticoechea, Jaime Pizarro, Agostino Di Bartolomei, Glenn Stromberg, Jan Wouters, Paul McStay, Paolo Isidoro, Norman Whiteside, Peter Beardsley

1990's Positional Ranking

GOALKEEPERS
1. P.Schmeichel (DEN) GLD III
2. Jose L.Chilavert (PAR) GLD IV
3. A.Zubizarreta (SPA) GLD IV
4. Gianluca Pagliuca (ITA) GLD V
5. Thomas Ravelli (SWE) GLD V
6. Angelo Peruzzi (ITA) GLD V
7. Claudio Taffarel (BRA) GLD V
8. Andreas Kopke (GER) GLD V
9. David Seamen (ENG) SIL I
10. Vitor Baia (POR) SIL I
11. Bodo Illgner (GER) SIL I
12. Jens Lehmann (GER) SIL I
13. Fabien Barthez (FRA) SIL I
14. Jorge Campos (MEX) SIL I
15. Marcos (BRA) SIL I
16. S.Goycochea (ARG) SIL II
17. L.Marchegiani (ITA) SIL II
18. Bernard Lama (FRA) SIL II
19. Rene Higuita (COL) SIL II
20. Michael Konsel (AUT) SIL II

CENTRE-BACKS
1. Matthias Sammer (GER) GLD II
2. Marcel Desailly (FRA) GLD III
3. Lilian Thuram (FRA) GLD III
4. Jurgen Kohler (GER) GLD III
5. Laurent Blanc (FRA) GLD III
6. A.Costacurta (ITA) GLD III
7. Ciro Ferrara (ITA) GLD III
8. Jaap Stam (NET) GLD III
9. F.Hierro (SPA) GLD III
10. Tony Adams (ENG) GLD V
11. Frank De Boer (NET) GLD V
12. Paolo Montero (URU) GLD V
13. Aldair (BRA) GLD V
14. G.Popescu (ROU) GLD V
15. Carlos Gamarra (PAR) GLD V
16. Guido Buchwald (GER) SIL I
17. Sinisa Mihajlovic (SER) SIL I
18. Julio Cesar (BRA) SIL I
19. Danny Blind (NET) SIL I
20. M.Belodedici (ROU) SIL I
21. Roberto Sensini (ARG) SIL I
22. Fernando Couto (POR) SIL I
23. N.Naybet (MOR) SIL I
24. Georges Grun (BEL) SIL I
25. Manolo Sanchis (SPA) SIL I
26. M.Angel Nadal (SPA) SIL I
27. Christian Worns (GER) SIL I
28. Miroslav Djukic (SER) SIL I
29. Basile Boli (FRA) SIL I
30. Des Walker (ENG) SIL I

FULL-BACKS
1. Paolo Maldini (ITA) PLA V
2. Cafu (BRA) GLD III
3. A.Brehme (GER) GLD III
4. B.Lizarazu (FRA) GLD IV
5. Jorginho (BRA) GLD V
6. Jocelyn Angloma (FRA) SIL I
7. Denis Irwin (IRE) SIL I
8. Stefan Reuter (GER) SIL I
9. Christian Panucci (ITA) SIL I
10. Gary Neville (ENG) SIL I
11. Stuart Pearce (ENG) SIL I
12. Branco (BRA) SIL II
13. Francisco Arce (PAR) SIL II
14. Dan Petrescu (ROU) SIL II
15. Thomas Berthold (GER) SIL II

MIDFIELDERS (DMs/CMs)
1. Lothar Matthaus (GER) PLA V
2. F.Redondo (ARG) GLD III
3. Roy Keane (IRE) GLD IV
4. Edgar Davids (NET) GLD IV
5. S.Effenberg (GER) GLD IV
6. Pep Guardiola (SPA) GLD IV
7. Juan S.Veron (ARG) GLD V
8. D.Deschamps (FRA) GLD V
9. Dunga (BRA) GLD V
10. G.Mendieta (SPA) GLD V
11. D.Albertini (ITA) GLD V
12. Mauro Silva (BRA) GLD V
13. V.Jugovic (SER) GLD V
14. R.Prosinecki (CRO) GLD V
15. Diego Simeone (ARG) SIL I
16. Olaf Thon (GER) SIL I
17. Paolo Sousa (POR) SIL I
18. Paul Ince (ENG) SIL I
19. Emmanuel Petit (FRA) SIL I
20. Uwe Bein (GER) SIL I

ATTACKING-MIDFIELDERS
1. Zinedine Zidane (FRA) PLA IV
*2. Roberto Baggio (ITA) PLA V
*3. Rivaldo (BRA) GLD I
4. Michael Laudrup (DEN) GLD I
*5. E.Francescoli (URU) GLD II
6. Gheorghe Hagi (ROU) GLD III
7. D.Savicevic (MON) GLD III
8. Paul Gascoigne (ENG) GLD III
9. Thomas Häßler (GER) GLD IV
10. A.Moller (GER) GLD IV
11. D.Stojkovic (SER) GLD IV
*12. Gianfranco Zola (ITA) GLD IV
*13. Roberto Mancini (ITA) GLD V
14. Rai (BRA) GLD IV
15. Abedi Pele (GHA) GLD IV
*16. Youri Djorkaeff (FRA) GLD V
17. Ariel Ortega (ARG) GLD V
*18. Jari Litmanen (FIN) GLD V
19. Enzo Scifo (BEL) GLD V
20. Zvonimir Boban (CRO) GLD V
21. K.Balakov (BUL) GLD V
22. Mehmet Scholl (GER) GLD V
23. Tomas Brolin (SWE) SIL I
24. Leonardo Araujo (BRA) SIL I
25. David Platt (ENG) SIL I
*26. Alvaro Recoba (URU) SIL I
27. Jay-Jay Okocha (NIG) SIL I
28. Juninho Paulista (BRA) SIL I
29. Rafael M.Vasquez (SPA) SIL I
30. Julen Guerrero (SPA) SIL I

WINGERS / WIDE-FORWARDS
*1. H.Stoichkov (BUL) GLD II
2. Ryan Giggs (WAL) GLD III
3. David Beckham (ENG) GLD IV
4. Brian Laudrup (DEN) GLD V
5. Roberto Donadoni (ITA) GLD V
6. David Ginola (FRA) GLD V
7. Claudio Caniggia (ARG) GLD V
8. Marc Overmars (NET) GLD V
9. Luis Enrique (SPA) GLD V
10. Steve McManaman (ENG) SIL I

STRIKERS / CENTRE-FORWARDS
1. Ronaldo (BRA) PLA III
2. Romario (BRA) PLA V
3. G.Batistuta (ARG) GLD II
*4. D.Bergkamp (NET) GLD II
5. George Weah (LIB) GLD III
*6. A.Del Piero (ITA) GLD III
7. Jean-P.Papin (FRA) GLD III
8. Alan Shearer (ENG) GLD III
*9. E.Cantona (FRA) GLD III
10. J.Klinsmann (GER) GLD III
11. Davor Suker (CRO) GLD IV
12. Gianluca Vialli (ITA) GLD IV
13. Marcelo Salas (CHI) GLD V
14. P.Mijatovic (MON) GLD V
15. P.Kluivert (NET) GLD V
16. G.Signori (ITA) GLD V
17. Ivan Zamorano (CHI) GLD V
*18. Ruben Sosa (URU) GLD V
19. Alen Boksic (CRO) GLD V
20. Oliver Bierhoff (GER) SIL I
*21. Edmundo (BRA) SIL I
22. Darko Pancev (NMA) SIL I
*23. S.Chapuisat (SWI) SIL I
24. F.Morientes (SPA) SIL I
25. Andy Cole (ENG) SIL I

Honourable Mentions:
Andy Goram, Patrik Andersson, Thomas Helmer, Albert Ferrer, Antonio Benarrivo, Robert Jarni, Sergi Barjuan, Srecko Katanec, Franky Van Der Elst, Phillip Cocu, Paulo Silas, Valdo, Andi Herzog, Matt Le Tissier, Djalminha, Aleksandr Mostovoi, Mario Basler, Enrico Chiesa, Mario Jardel, Teddy Sheringham, Ian Wright, Tony Yeboah, Mark Hughes

 

2000's Positional Ranking

GOALKEEPERS
1. Gianluigi Buffon (ITA) GLD II
2. Iker Casillas (SPA) GLD III
3. Oliver Kahn (GER) GLD III
4. Petr Cech (CZE) GLD IV
5. E.Van Der Sar (NET) GLD IV
6. Julio Cesar (BRA) GLD V
7. Francesco Toldo (ITA) GLD V
8. Dida (BRA) SIL I
9. S.Canizares (SPA) SIL I
10. Rustu Recber (TUR) SIL II
11. Rogerio Ceni (BRA) SIL II
12. Gregory Coupet (FRA) SIL II
13. Pepe Reina (SPA) SIL II
14. Sebastian Frey (FRA) SIL II
15. Shay Given (IRE) SIL II
16. T.Hildebrand (GER) SIL II
17. O.Cordoba (COL) SIL II
18. R.Abbodanzieri (ARG) SIL II
19. Robert Enke (GER) SIL III
20. Rene Adler (GER) SIL III

CENTRE-BACKS
1. Alessandro Nesta (ITA) GLD II
2. Fabio Cannavaro (ITA) GLD II
3. Carles Puyol (SPA) GLD III
4. John Terry (ENG) GLD III
5. Nemanja Vidic (SER) GLD III
6. Rio Ferdinand (ENG) GLD IV
7. Roberto Ayala (ARG) GLD IV
8. Lucio (BRA) GLD IV
9. R.Carvalho (POR) GLD V
10. Sol Campbell (ENG) GLD V
11. Walter Samuel (ARG) GLD V
12. Marco Materazzi (ITA) SIL I
13. Rafael Marquez (MEX) SIL I
14. Sami Hyppia (FIN) SIL I
15. Ledley King (ENG) SIL I
16. Ivan Cordoba (COL) SIL II
17. Ivan Helguera (SPA) SIL II
18. J.Carragher (ENG) SIL II
19. Kolo Toure (IVO) SIL II
20. William Gallas (FRA) SIL II
21. D.Van Buyten (BEL) SIL II
22. Juan (BRA) SIL II
23. Cris (BRA) SIL II
24. Marcelo Bordon (BRA) SIL II
25. Philippe Mexes (FRA) SIL II

FULL-BACKS
1. Roberto Carlos (BRA) GLD II
2. Javier Zanetti (ARG) GLD III
3. Ashley Cole (ENG) GLD IV
4. Gianluca Zambrotta (ITA) GLD V
5. Maicon (BRA) GLD V
6. Patrice Evra (FRA) SIL I
7. Willy Sagnol (FRA) SIL II
8. Cristian Chivu (ROU) SIL II
9. Eric Abidal (FRA) SIL II
10. Michel Salgado (SPA) SIL II

MIDFIELDERS (DMs/CMs)
1. Andrea Pirlo (ITA) GLD II
2. Steven Gerrard (ENG) GLD III
2. Clarence Seedorf (NET) GLD III
4. Patrick Vieira (FRA) GLD III
5. Paul Scholes (ENG) GLD III
6. Frank Lampard (ENG) GLD III
7. Claude Makelele (FRA) GLD IV
8. Michael Ballack (GER) GLD IV
9. Deco (POR) GLD IV
10. Michael Essien (GHA) GLD V
11. J.Mascherano (ARG) GLD V
12. Emerson (BRA) GLD V
13. Daniele De Rossi (ITA) GLD V
14. E.Cambiasso (ARG) GLD V
15. Gennaro Gattuso (ITA) GLD V
16. Juninho Per. (BRA) SIL I
17. Ze Roberto (BRA) SIL I
18. Gilberto Silva (BRA) SIL I
19. Michael Carrick (ENG) SIL I
20. Ruben Baraja (SPA) SIL I

ATTACKING-MIDFIELDERS
1. Kaka (BRA) GLD I
*2. F.Totti (ITA) GLD II
3. Pavel Nedved (CZE) GLD III
4. JR.Riquelme (ARG) GLD IV
5. Rui Costa (POR) GLD IV
6. Pablo Aimar (ARG) GLD V
7. JC.Valeron (SPA) SIL I
8. Guti (SPA) SIL I
9. R.Van Der Vaart (NET) SIL I
10. Diego (BRA) SIL I
11. Tomas Rosicky (CZE) SIL II
12. Alex De Souza (BRA) SIL II
13. Marcelinho P. (BRA) SIL II
14. Y.Gourcuff (FRA) SIL II
15. Johan Micoud (FRA) SIL II

WINGERS / WIDE-FORWARDS
1. Ronaldinho (BRA) PLA V
2. Luis Figo (POR) GLD II
3. Robert Pires (FRA) GLD V
4. M.Camoranesi (ITA) SIL I
5. F.Ljungberg (SWE) SIL I
6. Robinho (BRA) SIL I
7. Joaquin (SPA) SIL I
8. Joe Cole (ENG) SIL I
9. A.Arshavin (RUS) SIL I
10. Vicente (SPA) SIL I
11. Harry Kewell (AUS) SIL II
12. R.Quaresma (POR) SIL II
13. F.Malouda (FRA) SIL II
14. Ludovic Giuly (FRA) SIL II
15. Damien Duff (IRE) SIL II

STRIKERS / CENTRE-FORWARDS
1. Thierry Henry (FRA) GLD I
*2. Raul (SPA) GLD III
3. A.Shevchenko (UKR) GLD III
4. Samuel Eto'o (CAM) GLD III
5. Didier Drogba (NET) GLD III
6. R.Van Nistelrooy (NET) GLD III
7. David Villa (SPA) GLD III
8. Fernando Torres (SPA) GLD III
9. Michael Owen (ENG) GLD IV
10. Christian Vieri (ITA) GLD IV
11. Diego Forlan (URU) GLD IV
12. Hernan Crespo (ARG) GLD IV
13. Adriano (BRA) GLD IV
*14. Carlos Tevez (ARG) GLD IV
15. David Trezeguet (FRA) GLD V
16. Miroslav Klose (GER) GLD V
17. Luca Toni (ITA) GLD V
18. D.Berbatov (BUL) GLD V
19. Henrik Larsson (SWE) SIL I
20. Giovane Elber (BRA) SIL I
21. Filippo Inzaghi (ITA) SIL I
22. Diego Milito (ARG) SIL I
23. Roy Makaay (NET) SIL I
*24. Antonio Cassano (ITA) SIL I
25. Javier Saviola (ARG) SIL I

Honourable Mentions:
Mickael Landreau, Frank Rost, Andres Palop, Gabriel Milito, Juan Capdevila, Juan Pablo Sorin, Giovanni Van Bronckhorst, Mark Van Bommel, Torsten Frings, Marcos Senna, David Albelda, Dejan Stankovic, David Pizarro, Simao, Bernd Schneider, Nicolas Anelka, Vicenzo Montella, Luis Fabiano, Pedro Pauleta, Alberto Gilardino, Freddie Kanoute, Claudio Pizarro, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink

2010's Positional Ranking

GOALKEEPERS
1. Manuel Neuer (GER) GLD II
2. David De Gea (SPA) GLD IV
3. Jan Oblak (SVE) GLD V
4. S.Handanovic (SVE) SIL I
5. Hugo Lloris (FRA) SIL I
6. Keylor Navas (COS) SIL II
7. Victor Valdes (SPA) SIL II
8. Igor Akinfeev (RUS) SIL II
9. Joe Hart (ENG) SIL I
10. Claudio Bravo (CHI) SIL II

CENTRE-BACKS
1. Sergio Ramos (SPA) GLD II
2. Virgil Van Dijk (NET) GLD III
3. Thiago Silva (BRA) GLD III
4. G.Chiellini (ITA) GLD IV
5. Diego Godin (URU) GLD V
6. Gerard Pique (SPA) GLD V
7. V.Kompany (BEL) GLD V
8. Mats Hummels (GER) GLD V
9. Andrea Barzagli (ITA) GLD V
10. L.Bonucci (ITA) GLD V
11. R.Varane (FRA) GLD V
12. J.Boateng (GER) GLD V
13. Pepe (POR) GLD V
14. A.Laporte (SPA) SIL I
15. K.Koulibaly (SEN) SIL I

FULL-BACKS
1. Phillip Lahm (GER) GLD III
2. Dani Alves (BRA) GLD III
3. Marcelo (BRA) GLD IV
4. David Alaba (AUT) GLD V
5. Jordi Alba (SPA) SIL I
6. Cesar Azpilicueta (SPA) SIL II
7. Branislav Ivanovic (SER) SIL II
8. Leighton Baines (ENG) SIL II
9. Pablo Zabaleta (ARG) SIL II
10. Lukasz Piszczek (POL) SIL II

MIDFIELDERS (DMs/CMs)
1. Xavi (SPA) GLD I
2. Luka Modric (CRO) GLD I
3. Toni Kroos (GER) GLD III
4. Sergio Busquets (SPA) GLD III
5. Cesc Fabregas (SPA) GLD III
6. Xabi Alonso (SPA) GLD IV
7. Yaya Toure (IVO) GLD IV
8. N'Golo Kante (FRA) GLD IV
9. B.Schweinsteiger (GER) GLD IV
10. Paul Pogba (FRA) GLD IV
11. Thiago Alcantara (SPA) GLD V
12. Marco Veratti (ITA) GLD V
13. Casemiro (BRA) GLD V
14. Arturo Vidal (CHI) GLD V
15. Ivan Rakitic (CRO) SIL I

ATTACKING-MIDFIELDERS
1. Andres Iniesta (SPA) PLA V
2. David Silva (SPA) GLD III
*3. A.Griezmann (FRA) GLD III
*4. Thomas Muller (GER) GLD III
5. Wesley Sneijder (NET) GLD III
6. Mesut Ozil (GER) GLD IV
7. Isco (SPA) GLD V
8. Juan Mata (SPA) GLD V
9. James Rodriguez (COL) GLD V
10. P.Coutinho (BRA) GLD V
11. Santi Cazorla (SPA) GLD V
12. Mario Gotze (GER) SIL I
13. Dimitri Payet (FRA) SIL I
*14. Paulo Dybala (ARG) SIL I
15. Christian Eriksen (DEN) SIL I
16. Marek Hamsik (SVA) SIL I
17. Samir Nasri (FRA) SIL I
18. Oscar (BRA) SIL I
19. Shinji Kagawa (JAP) SIL II
20. H.Mkhitaryan (ARM) SIL II

WINGERS / WIDE-FORWARDS
*1. Lionel Messi (ARG) PLA I
2. C.Ronaldo (POR) PLA III
3. Neymar (BRA) GLD I
4. Gareth Bale (WAL) GLD II
5. Arjen Robben (NET) GLD II
6. Eden Hazard (BEL) GLD II
7. Franck Ribery (FRA) GLD III
8. Angel Di Maria (ARG) GLD IV
9. Alexis Sanchez (CHI) GLD IV
10. Riyad Mahrez (ALG) GLD IV
11. Sadio Mane (SEN) GLD V
12. Marco Reus (GER) GLD V
13. Raheem Sterling (ENG) SIL I
14. Pedro (SPA) SIL I
15. Ezequiel Lavezzi (ARG) SIL I

STRIKERS / CENTRE-FORWARDS
1. Luis Suarez (URU) GLD I
*2. Wayne Rooney (ENG) GLD II
3. Sergio Aguero (ARG) GLD II
4. Z.Ibrahimovic (SWE) GLD II
5. R.Van Persie (NET) GLD III
6. Radamel Falcao (COL) GLD IV
7. Edinson Cavani (URU) GLD IV
8. Gonzalo Higuain (ARG) GLD V
9. Diego Costa (SPA) GLD V
10. PE.Aubameyang (GAB) GLD V
11. Roberto Firmino (BRA) SIL I
12. Antonio Di Natale (ITA) SIL I
13. Diego Milito (ARG) SIL I
14. Edin Dzeko (BOS) SIL I
15. Mario Gomez (GER) SIL I
16. Mario Mandzukic (CRO) SIL I
17. Olivier Giroud (FRA) SIL I
*18. Dries Mertens (BEL) SIL I
19. Jamie Vardy (ENG) SIL I
20. KJ.Huntelaar (NET) SIL I

Honourable Mentions:
Kasper Schmeichel, Maarten Stekelenburg, Diego Lopez, Salvatore Sirigu, Dante, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Felipe Luis, Fernandinho, Fabinho, Nemanja Matic, Blaise Matuidi, Sami Khedira, Radja Nainggolan, Miralem Pjanic, Claudio Marchisio, Koke, Joao Moutinho, Arda Turan, Leroy Sane, Nani, Douglas Costa, Jesus Navas, Mauro Icardi

2020's Positional Ranking (so far)

GOALKEEPERS
1. Thibaut Courtois (BEL) GLD IV
2. Alisson Becker (BRA) GLD V
3. MA.Ter-Stegen (GER) SIL I
4. Ederson (BRA) SIL I
5. G.Donnarumma (ITA) SIL II
6. Emi Martinez (ARG) SIL II
7. Mike Maignan (FRA) SIL II
8. Yann Sommer (SWI) SIL III
9. W.Szczesny (POL) SIL III
10. Gregor Kobel (SWI) SIL III

CENTRE-BACKS
1. Ruben Dias (POR) SIL I
2. Marquinhos (BRA) SIL I
3. Antonio Rudiger (GER) SIL I
4. John Stones (ENG) SIL I
5. Eder Militao (BRA) SIL II
6. William Saliba (FRA) SIL II
7. A.Bastoni (ITA) SIL II
8. Matthijs De Ligt (NET) SIL II
9. Ronald Araujo (URU) SIL II
10. Stefan De Vrij (NET) SIL II

FULL-BACKS
1. Trent A.Arnold (ENG) SIL I
2. Dani Carvajal (SPA) SIL I
3. Kyle Walker (ENG) SIL I
4. Joao Cancelo (POR) SIL I
5. Andy Robertson (SCO) SIL I
6. Achraf Hakimi (MOR) SIL II
7. Alphonso Davies (CAN) SIL II
8. Reece James (ENG) SIL II
9. Theo Hernandez (FRA) SIL II
10. Alex Grimaldo (SPA) SIL III

MIDFIELDERS (DMs/CMs)
1. Rodri (SPA) GLD V
2. Joshua Kimmich (GER) GLD V
3. Ilkay Gundogan (GER) GLD V
4. Jude Bellingham (ENG) GLD V
5. Fede Valverde (URU) SIL I
6. Pedri (SPA) SIL I
7. Nicolo Barella (ITA) SIL I
8. Jorginho (ITA) SIL I
8. Frenkie De Jong (NET) SIL I
10. Leon Goretzka (GER) SIL II

ATTACKING-MIDFIELDERS
1. Kevin De Bruyne (BEL) GLD II
2. Bernardo Silva (POR) GLD V
3. Bruno Fernandes (POR) GLD V
4. Martin Odegaard (NOR) SIL I
5. Phil Foden (ENG) SIL I
6. Jamal Musiala (GER) SIL I
7. Florian Wirtz (GER) SIL II
*8. C.Nkunku (FRA) SIL II
9. Dani Olmo (SPA) SIL II
10. James Maddison (ENG) SIL II

WINGERS / WIDE-FORWARDS
1. Kylian Mbappe (FRA) GLD II
2. Mohamed Salah (EGY) GLD III
3. Vinicius Jr. (BRA) GLD IV
4. Heung-Min Son (SKO) GLD V
5. Serge Gnabry (GER) SIL I
6. Bukayo Saka (ENG) SIL I
7. Rafael Leao (POR) SIL I
8. Rodrygo (BRA) SIL I
9. Jack Grealish (ENG) SIL I
10. Marcus Rashford (ENG) SIL II
11. K.Kvaratskhelia (GEO) SIL II
12. Federico Chiesa (ITA) SIL II
13. Lorenzo Insigne (ITA) SIL II
14. Ousmane Dembele (FRA) SIL II
15. Luis Diaz (COL) SIL II

STRIKERS / CENTRE-FORWARDS
1. R.Lewandowski (POL) GLD I
2. Karim Benzema (FRA) GLD II
3. Erling Haaland (NOR) GLD III
4. Harry Kane (ENG) GLD III
5. Romelu Lukaku (BEL) SIL I
6. Lautaro Martinez (ARG) SIL I
7. Victor Osimhen (NIG) SIL I
8. Ciro Immobile (ITA) SIL I
9. Gabriel Jesus (BRA) SIL II
*10. Joao Felix (POR) SIL II

Honourable Mentions:
Edouard Mendy, Yassine Bounou, Milan Skriniar, Kim Min-Jae, Gabriel, Jules Kounde, Bremer, Luke Shaw, Benjamin Pavard, Kieran Trippier, Federico Dimarco, Declan Rice, Aurelien Tchouameni, Marcelo Brozovic, Marcos Llorente, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Kingsley Coman, Julian Alvarez

 

Thanks @PDG1978 , yeah I can see how the older defenders' positions can be up for interpretation. Nice attempt with the tiers even if I wouldn't agree with Pires ahead of Xavi/Iniesta. I think the narrower tiers is a good way of looking at it

 

You make a great case for Pires and a great video too, many of these clips I don't think I've ever seen. Sorry I didn't realise there were further comments on the post, I usually get emailed. I'm typically a bit more leniant when it comes to longevity too, but it can vary depending on certain things. Thanks for the info on Gallacher. Sophus Nielsen was on my shortlist but I had quite a few strikers ahead of him that aren't mentioned and had to stop listing them somewhere, but utimately the margins are more difficult to separate with older players so he's always someone who could make it eventually if I was to realise new things about him

 

I've never thought too deeply about personal biases towards certain types of players, but I think you assessed mine quite accurately, not that it was ever intentional from myself. I don't consider myself to have a huge tactical knowledge of the game, at least compared to the expertise you might find on a site like this, and maybe those who do will appreciate some individuals differently for example. But I think the fact that the way I judge players is probably a little more in line with the general consensus from media, fans etc. can help keep the lists more consistent across different decades for players we didn't see

 

Just to add because of what people were discussing, anyone is welcome to disagree with or criticize any player positions or the ranking in general, to get more substantive opinions can only help. I've upgraded Andreolo and downgraded Adriano since I posted this and I'm sure I'll make changes in future.

 

If it helps, this is what I give as a brief explanation to player evaluations.

How the players are assessed:
It goes without saying, the assessment of the players I use will never be as accurate as seeing them play live. I have however put a few years of research into this and refined it as well as I can by collating all the data and opinions available.

I've used a range of factors, which culminates in an assessment of players that I believe works well. Maybe most importantly, it has an accurate correlation to my opinion of players when using it to evaluate players from the modern era, so I trust my research methods.

The evaluation of players is generally based on a players peak over a 4-5 year period. In my opinion, this period is long enough to assess a player's standard, and exhibits a certain level of consistency. However, a long (or short) peak can add to how highly I would rate a player, if they show themselves to be adaptable (or not) to different tactical systems, opponents, levels of pressure, their own physical changes, etc.

Some of the main factors of assessing players (some which play into each other) :

• Historical match ratings (eg. Archived newspapers, DBS Calcio)
• Annual or weekly World/League XI's (eg. Kicker Team of the Week/Season, Onze De Onze)
• Individual Award Rankings (eg. Don Balon Award, Balon D'Or)
• Historical statistical based rankings (eg. IFFHS, WhoScored)
• Reputable/respected opinionated lists/data/nominations (eg. World Soccer, FIFPRO)
• Other reputable opinions (eg. Specialist consultants/researchers, fan forums, articles, ex-players)
• Watching footage
• Trophies won
• My own opinion
• Many other smaller factors

With all these factors, I use as many good sources as I can possibly find. They must all be taken in context. They can be weighted differently depending on the standard of competition, which I evaluated as accurately as I could. The competition can be judged by standard of players, success of clubs in continental competitions, etc. There are sometimes anomalies of a lack of correlation with players' factors, which could be down to things such as the personality of a player, sentimentality, bias and propaganda. I take this into consideration where the information is available.

The time difference between players however isn't a factor I consider - it is too nuanced of an argument. Some may favour modern players who are much faster, stronger, fitter; while some may favour older players who dealt with two-footed tackles, terrible pitches, & innovated aspects of the game. The idea of throwing players into different eras and tactical systems wouldn't work well, so I found it best to judge them on what they are/were relevant to the time.