The 500 most important players

Aug 07, 2020 56 minutes

First things first: this is not a definitive list of the top 500 players in the world. Such lists are subjective, and can exclude more interesting personalities in place of more polished professionals. Indeed, there are plenty of very good players that haven’t made our list, and arguably one or two world-class ones too. No, we wanted to know the 500 most important players in the world–the most interesting, the ones we all need to know about, regardless of where they play.

When trying to decide on such a list, being able to call upon a network of experts from across the globe is handy. We asked our writers: which players enjoyed impressive seasons in 2019-20–both before and after coronavirus struck–and who will be stars of the next campaign? Who will be the subject of rumours, speculation and transfers, and which young players will dominate in the future? Who could be a game-changer for their country on the pitch, and who makes headlines off it?

A new addition to this year’s top 500 is the inclusion of female players for the first time, with our correspondent Glenn Moore putting forward his selections for the most noteworthy characters in the women’s game.

A glance at the stats tells you that while in some ways the game is changing, with several players from growing powers Qatar and China included, other things stay the same–the big leagues are still on top, and if anything are more dominant than ever.

Nevertheless, with representatives from almost 80 different countries and more than 50 leagues, football remains the global game.

WS500 by club

Bayern Munich top this year’s list, with Liverpool and Manchester City sharing second 1 Bayern Munich 14

WS500 by league

Timo Werner’s move to Chelsea helped the Premier League leapfrog the Bundesliga into top spot

Brenden AARONSON

Philadelphia Union & USA

Scored on his MlS debut for the Union in March 2019. His remarkable composure and maturity made him a regular starter throughout 2019.

Yunis ABDELHAMID

Reims & Morocco

Voted the third-best African in ligue 1, the 32-year-old combined with side-kick Axel disasi to create the tightest backline in the French top flight before the season ended.

Omar ABDULRAHMAN

Al Jazira & UAE

Still seen by some as Asia’s best but, at 28, the playmaker, once chased by Manchester city, is increasingly regarded as a talented star that missed out on a move to europe.

Victor ABREGO

Club Bolivar & Bolivia

The bustling striker was a surprise success in South America’s U23 championship, earning a move from destroyers to Bolivar, where he began with a flurry of goals.

Francesco ACERBI

Lazio & Italy

The rugged central defender has missed very little of lazio’s brilliant season, and in the process has played his way into roberto Mancini’s Italy squad.

Sargis ADAMYAN

Hoffenheim & Armenia

Able to operate anywhere along the front line, he achieved the rarest of feats last october–scoring twice as his club pulled off a shock win at Bayern Munich.

Akram AFIF

Al Sadd & Qatar

The winger was a star of Qatar’s 2019 Asian cup success, scoring in the final, and has spent much of this season at the top of the goal and assist charts for Al Sadd too.

Sergio AGUERO

Man. City & Argentina

Manchester city’s record goalscorer is still among the world’s most clinical finishers. If he stays in england for another year, he will surely pass 200 Premier league goals.

Kluiverth AGUILAR

Alianza Lima & Peru

Strapping attacking right-back in the mould of Brazil’s Maicon, who is set to join Manchester city in the middle of next year. Played for Peru’s U23s at the age of 16.

Rayan AIT-NOURI

Angers & France

With his contract up in 2021, the highly-rated France U21 left-back looked sure to move this summer. A recent extension means that if he does go, Angers will be suitably rewarded.

Bassam AL RAWI

Al Duhail & Qatar

The powerful centre-back was another key player in Qatar’s 2019 Asian cup triumph, and this season has been helping Al duhail edge close to another title.

David ALABA

Bayern Munich & Austria

Wherever he plays, Alaba is outstanding. once a left-back or midfielder, he spent most of last season in the centre of Bayern’s defence and made it look ridiculously easy.

Luis ALBERTO

Lazio & Spain

Many observers’ idea of the 2019-20 player of the year in Italy. A playmaker with great vision, a superb crosser of the ball, he is the metronome who keeps lazio ticking.

Jordy ALCIVAR

LDU Quito & Ecuador

High hopes surround this central midfielder with strength of personality and an excellent range of passing. Already an international at U20 and U23 levels.

Trent ALEXANDERARNOLD

Liverpool & England

The sky is the limit for the young defender. Not since dani Alves at Barcelona has a full-back commanded such influence over how his side plays.

Ali ALIPOUR

Persepolis & Iran

The striker’s goals have helped Persepolis to win the last three Iranian league titles. The 25-year-old is linked with a move to europe almost as much as he scores.

ALISSON Becker

Liverpool & Brazil

Since joining liverpool, Alisson has won the champions league, copa America and now the Premier league too. Undoubtedly one of the planet’s finest goalkeepers.

Dele ALLI

Tottenham & England

The 24-year-old recently became the youngest midfielder in Premier league history to score 50 goals - a reminder of his considerable talent and potential to grow.

Yeray ALVAREZ

Athletic Bilbao & Spain

Two-time cancer survivor and Athletic academy product signed a seven-year deal in 2019, and formed a solid defensive partnership with Inigo Martinez.

Bruno ALVES

Parma & Portugal

At the age of 38, the much-travelled european champion with 96 caps is an icon in his native land. He may well sign up for a third season with Parma.

Dani ALVES

Sao Paulo & Brazil

Moved back to Brazil in 2019 after16 glorious years. Plays midfield for his club but remains national-team captain and right-back, with his sights set on the 2022 World cup.

Sebastian ANDERSSON

Union Berlin & Sweden

A steady stream of goals for Bundesliga new boys Union has boosted the profile of the tall target man. His contract has a release fee of just €5m.

Zambo ANGUISSA

Villarreal & Cameroon

After being relegated with Fulham in 2018-19, Anguissa bounced back by becoming a mainstay in Villarreal’s midfield. linked with a move to real Madrid.

Charles ARANGUIZ

Bayer Leverkusen & Chile

leverkusen coach Peter Bosz does not like to praise individuals, but for Aranguiz he makes an exception. The chile midfielder is proof that keeping it simple is usually the best policy.

Matias AREZO

River Plate Montevideo & Uruguay

Striker with a touch of a slightly taller Sergio Aguero about him. Well built and balanced, quick off the mark, and dangerous with both feet or in the air, he became a regular first division marksman at the age of16.

Maximilian ARNOLD

Wolfsburg & Germany

Don’t write off the 26-year-old playmaker for being a one-cap wonder. He is the heart of Wolfsburg - cerebral, inventive and the owner of a left foot to die for.

Santiago ARZAMENDIA

Cerro Porteno & Paraguay

Stocky Argentina-born left-back whose pace and left foot impress in defence and attack. It is surprising that he is still in Paraguay.

Iago ASPAS

Celta Vigo & Spain

Vigo’s vice-captain finished as the club’s top goalscorer for the fifth season running. His goals were vital in ensuring that the club stayed above La Liga’s relegation zone.

Youcef ATAL

Nice & Algeria

Out since December following knee surgery, the skilful full-back can also play as a winger. His versatility will be a huge boost for Patrick Vieira’s side once fully fit again.

Chimy AVILA

Osasuna & Argentina

The striker had a stellar start to the season and was linked with Barcelona and Valencia before a cruciate ligament injury ruled him out of the rest of the campaign.

Sardar AZMOUN

Zenit Saint Petersburg & Iran

Talented Iranian striker, who has struck goals galore in an eight-year stint in the Russian Premier League with Rubin Kazan, Rostov and now Zenit. Regularly linked with the Premier League, and could be ready for the move soon.

Ezequiel BARCO

Atlanta United & Argentina

Now in his third year at Atlanta, the exciting young talent is yet to catch fire. Dour Dutch coach Frank de Boer may not be the man to get the best out of him.

Enis BARDHI

Levante & North Macedonia

A versatile midfielder who has shone from the left this season. Arsenal have shown an interest, as have teams in Serie A and the Bundesliga.

Nicolo BARELLA

Internazionale & Italy

One of the brightest talents of his Italian generation, the combative and versatile Barella is already an automatic first choice for both club and country.

Alessandro BASTONI