BEST XI of 2020.

The year 2020 will always be remembered as the year when football was halted and left many fans, players and clubs wondering when it would ever return. Luckily for us all, football did return. This year has given us some of the most memorable moments that we have seen for a long time and it was an unforgettable way to start this new decade of football.

The following team has been selected due to their outstanding performances in the 2020-calendar year. These players have been selected due to their individual performances and also their performances aimed towards the success of their teams.

The team consists of 1 goalkeeper, 4 defenders, 3 midfielders and 3 forwards. The 4 defenders include 1 Left-back, 1 right-back and 2 center-backs. The midfield consists of 2 central midfielders and 1 attacking midfielder. The forwards are 1 striker, 1 left-winger and 1 right-winger.

Goalkeeper

JAN OBLAK (Atletico Madrid)

 Oblak has been a wall for Atletico Madrid for not only this year but for the last few years. He has managed to concede less than a goal a game for the entire year and he is currently a key piece in Atletico’s title charge this season. He has come up with crucial saves for Atletico and has improved his reputation as one of the best keepers in the world. This year was not a trophy-laden year for him, but his individual performances are very hard to overlook, especially the number of clean sheets he has accumulated.

Honourable mentions: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Alisson Becker (Liverpool), Keylor Navas (PSG)

DEFENSE

Left-Back

ANDREW ROBERTSON (Liverpool)

As you will see lower down the list of players, it is difficult to include Robertson without Alexander-Arnold and vice-versa. The Scottish left-back is a fan favorite at Liverpool and has become a world renowned fullback due to his endless running and pinpoint crosses. His stats also do back him up since he has 12 league assists last season, along with 5 assists this season. He was also an important player in Liverpool winning their first league title in 30 years.

 

Honourable mentions: Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Alex Sandro (Juventus)

Centre-Back

VIRGIL VAN DIJK

The man who has proved the haters wrong and now has the world awaiting his return. Van Dijk could be described to have the perfect make-up of a defender. His positioning is fantastic, he has height, pace and a tenacity that all defenders should have. Liverpool’s Champions League run was cut short in 2020 but it was still evident that Van Dijk was still recognized as the one of the World’s best defenders. His leadership also proved vital in Liverpool securing the league title.

Centre-Back

SERGIO RAMOS

There are many football fans who have criticized Ramos for his reputation of being a defender who does not defend. However, this year Ramos went along with those notions and became the main penalty taker for Real Madrid. He amassed a healthy total of 13 goals in the season and rightfully kept his place in the upper echelons of defenders. He is a captain and leader of the highest degree and he deserves praise for leading Real Madrid to a record 34th La Liga title.

Honourable mentions: Presnel Kimpembe (PSG), David Alaba (Bayern Munich), Jose Maria Gimenez (Atltico Madrid)

Right-Back

TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD

His influence on games has become less in the latter parts of the year but it is hard to dismiss a player with such an extraordinary technique when it comes to striking the ball. His cross-field passes to Robertson were integral to the success of Liverpool. He has established himself as one of football’s best providers with his excellent delivery from set pieces and deadly crossing. It is very difficult to look past his 15 assists in all competitions last season, as well as his Liverpool winning the Premier League.

Honourable Mentions: Joao Cancelo (Manchester City), James Tavernier (Rangers), Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich)

MIDFIELD

Central-Midfielder

JOSHUA KIMMICH

Kimmich is probably the most dynamic player in the world right now. His production from either midfield or defense is frightening to say the least. He controls the midfield, his passing is elegant, his defending is solid and his eye for goal is not too bad either. He had 17 assists last season and already has 9 this year, coupled with a combined 11 goals over that time. He is a remarkable talent. His contribution to Bayern’s treble season was undeniable and he definitely deserves the praise that comes his way.

Central-Midfielder

KEVIN DE BRUYNE

They say he is the best assister in the world and it is very hard to argue with that. 39 goal contributions in 48 games is very impressive and considering that Manchester City did not have a great 2020 but De Bruyne was their stand out performer. He was voted Premier League player of the season and he equalled the record of most assists in one season by getting 20. He already has 15 goal contributions this season. It was a historic year for De Bruyne and one that will live long in the memory.

Honourable Mentions: Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich/Liverpool)

Attacking-Midfielder

THOMAS MULLER

Thomas Muller always seems to, somehow, fly under the radar even when he is putting up historic numbers. The Raumdeuter broke the record for most assists in a Bundesliga season and continued his stellar form into the Champions League. Muller had the record of 21 assists in the league and he had 40 goal contributions in 50 games last season. He was also responsible for many of important goals for Bayern throughout their treble season. Muller is one of the world’s most underrated players even though this year he secured his second treble with Bayern Munich.

Honourable Mentions: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Luis Alberto (Lazio), Papu Gomez (Atalanta)

FORWARDS

Left-Winger

CRISTIANO RONALDO

37 goals and 7 assists in all competitions for Juventus last season. It is always difficult to look at Ronaldo’s numbers and not be impressed. He has continued his amazing form into this season as well with 20 goal contributions so far. He has moved closer to becoming the highest international scorer of all time and is also close to scoring the most official goals of all time. He is a true professional of the game. It isn’t even surprising that he is still one of the world’s best at the age of 35.

Honourable Mentions: Sadio Mane (Liverpool), Neymar (PSG), Heung-Min Son (Tottenham)

Striker

ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI

The player of the year and if the award was still around for this year, he would have been the next interrupter of the Messi/Ronaldo monopoly of the Balon d’Or. Lewandowski had the most stand-out year of all players, even though his numbers are comparable over the last few seasons with the current one. 55 goals and 10 assists in 47 games last year is almost obscene but typical of the man. Top scorer of the Bundesliga and the Champions League is no easy feat but he grabbed them both and kept them for himself. The cherry on top of the Bayern treble cake. What a season for “Lewan-goal-ski.”

Honourable Mentions: Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Ciro Immobile (Lazio)

Right-Winger

LIONEL MESSI

Lionel Messi has had a turbulent year at Barcelona which almost resulted in an exit from his boyhood club. Messi has remained at the club since all the commotion and even though his influence on games may be dropping, his stats continue to impress especially his assists. Messi had 58 goal contributions over his 44 games last season despite all the difficulties at Barcelona and along with some of the dismal performance by the team. He is still one of the best in the world and even though 2020 was not one of his best seasons it is still better than many who have had brilliant seasons as well.

Honourable Mentions: Mohammed Salah (Liverpool), Angel Di Maria (PSG), Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich)

Brandon Salick