2015 draws to a close and VAVEL UK present our first ever Top 50 Players in the World.
Voted for by both editors and writers at VAVEL UK, we have produced a refined list of the best players of this year. Today, we'll reveal the Top 11-20 best players of 2015 with Number One on January 1st, New Year's Day.
Keep following to see who has made it and who hasn't. There were some lengthy discussions over who slipped into this list.
You can see the Top 41-50 here. You can see the Top 31-40 here. You can see the Top 21-30 here.
And so, now for 20-11.
20 - Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid/Uruguay)
A leader of a great team. Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid have had to deal with the loss of Thibaut Courtois over the last 18 months, and the brilliant defensive performances and record have been mainly down to Diego Godin.
He kept more than 20 cleansheets for his club in 2015 but wasn't as successful with Atleti as in 2014, when they lifted La Liga. Yet still, they remained competitive with Barcelona and Real Madrid in the La Liga title race, reached the UEFA Champions League quarter-final.
Godin was central to that. His consistency is such that he goes unnoticed. He does not have great matches because every match is at the same, world-class level.
In both the UEFA Champions League and La Liga, Godin makes 2.3 tackles per game. In the Copa America last summer, Godin made 2 tackles on average per game for Uruguay. He has made 3.3 interceptions per game in La Liga and the Copa America, and 3.4 in the Champions League. (all stats via WhoScored.com)
It is that consistency which makes him so good, the centre of Simeone's defensive mastermind at Atleti.
Last season, Simeone responded to reports of a bid for Godin from Manchester United with shock. "Twenty? How much? Twenty? Godin? That must be a mistake, that must be a mistake." He is undervalued in world football, and certainly one of the best centre-backs in the world. (Words: Harry Robinson)
19 - Arturo Vidal (Bayern Munich and Juventus/Chile)
2015 has been a lively year for Arturo Vidal. The 28-year-old was instrumental in securing a league and cup double with Juventus, and helping La Vecchia Signora reach the 2015 UEFA Champions League final in Berlin. If that wasn’t enough, Vidal then joined Bundesliga side Bayern Munich on a four-year deal for a fee of €37 million, plus up to €3 million in bonuses.
It really has been an exciting 2015 for Vidal, not only for his club, but internationally too. During the Copa America in June and July, the Chilean was instrumental in helping his side reach the final against Argentina. Chile were victorious, defeating Argentina 4-1 in a penalty shootout in which Vidal scored and was later named Man of the Match for his performance. As a testament to how impressive he was during Chile’s campaign, he was named in the 2015 Copa America Team of the Tournament.
During his time in Serie A, Juventus won the scudetto in all four seasons and with his hard-tackling, tenacious play and obvious talent as a box-to-box midfielder, Vidal has quickly asserted himself as one of the best midfielders in Europe. On numerous occasions the 28-year-old has proven that he is both a versatile and complete player; able to contribute to his side’s play both going forward and in defence. He is good at marking, positing, tackling, has an eye for goal and is even an accurate penalty taker—an ability that led him to become Juventus’ first choice from the spot.
Although there have been few fireworks so far at his new club, Vidal still has more than enough in his locker, and is still, undoubtedly, one of the best midfielders in the world.
18 - Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus/Italy)
Eyebrows were prompted skywards when Gianluigi Buffon brazenly claimed he would like to stick around to represent Italy at the 2018 World Cup, but having provisionally cemented a starting role in the Azzurri side for the forthcoming European Championships, there is scant evidence to dispel Buffon's bold assertion.
The 37-year-old proved heroic yet again for the Old Lady as Max Allegri steered his side to the precipice of a historic treble. A majestic one-handed stop to foil Dani Alves in the UEFA Champions League final -- voted third in Uefa's save of the season category -- may have been in vain considering the final scoreline, but few could discount Buffon's importance to Juventus in 2015.
Powerless to prevent the departures of three central dressing room figures over the summer -- Carlos Tevez, Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo -- Buffon's displays suffered alongside the Bianconeri's to begin the campaign and, at one point, was forced to remonstrate with the Juventus faithful after the side found themselves 1-0 down at home to Chievo in September.
Juve, however, have transformed their season and key to that, undoubtedly, has been the 37-year-old. Buffon thwarted Alessio Cerci in stoppage time as Juve edged past Milan in November while the once-Parma goalkeeper yielded a heroic performance when Manchester City rolled into town last month.
"I believe he's the best goalkeeper in history," Allegri told Sky Italia in November. Flattering claims like the Juve boss' would hold more weight if his sentiment wasn't echoed around world football. (Words: Craig Vickers)
17 - Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus/Italy)
Juventus’ vice captain, Chiellini, had another fantastic year, perhaps one of the finest in what’s been a quite incredible career so far for the Italian.
Joining some of his fellow Juve teammates in our list, Chiellini was a rock at centre-back throughout what proved to be a memorable 2015 for the Old Lady. Coasting to the Serie A title come May, winning the league by 17 points, Chiellini was part of the defence that conceded the least goals in the league (24), and played ahead of the ‘keeper that kept the most clean sheets (Gianluigi Buffon, 18). The Italian starred in their domestic cup win too, captaining the side and scoring in the final, a 2-1 win over Lazio.
Despite these achievements, it was Juve’s Champions League run for which they were most famed for, as they defeated the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid on their way to the final. Chiellini was an important part of that run, meaning it came as a huge loss when he was ruled out of the final against Barcelona through injury, and it showed his importance to the team as they lost 3-1 without him.
Juve’s shaky start to the 15/16 season affected the whole team, including Chiellini, but he’d already done enough to secure a nomination for the 2015 UEFA Team of the Year, and he’ll be hoping to get there again with similar performances in 2016. (Words: Olli Emmerson)
16 - Ivan Rakitic (FC Barcelona/Croatia)
2015 could not have been a more perfect year for Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic as he breaks in at 16 in our top 100 list. Rakitic finished off his Sevilla career in style with 15 goals and 17 assists which was topped off with a Europa League final and a place in the La Liga and European teams of the season. His excellent form earned him a transfer to the Catalan club with a point to prove with a hefty 18million fee hanging around his neck.
Oh boy did he repay it as he earned plaudits from across Europe with some excellent performances and was one of standout performers in an astronomical Barcelona side. The highlight of the 27-year-old’s season would have been opening the scoring in Barca’s 3-1 victory over Juventus to lift the Champions League trophy and complete another historic treble in his first season as well been named in the La Liga and European team of the season for the second year in the row The form and the trophies have rolled on into the new campaign as he once again spearheads the Barcelona midfield to both the UEFA Super Cup and more recently the Club World Cup and Luis Enrique will be eager to keep him fit as they attempt to go for the double treble.
Rakitic’s form also stretched onto an international scale as he help guide the Croatian national to Euro 2016 next summer with one goal in his six appearances and with Rakitic in their side they will hope he guide them beyond the group stages in France. His stellar international performances were rewarded as he received both the Croatian footballer and sportsman of the year which topped off his year in style and he will be hopeful by this next year he will be much further up the list and it is not difficult to see that become a reality. (Words: Danial Kennedy)
15 - Paul Pogba (Juventus/France)
Continuing his steady rise to becoming one of the planet’s most feared midfield players, Paul Pogba features deservedly high in our list. Forming a triumphant midfield alongside Claudio Marchisio, Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal, Pogba began the year with a bang, scoring in Juventus’ first away win against Napoli in over 14 years.
With his good form having helped Juve to reach the top of Serie A and the UEFA Champions League round of 16, Pogba was unfortunately taken off injured in a knockout tie against Borussia Dortmund, with a hamstring injury that would keep him out for two months. Returning positively, he assisted Alvaro Morata’s decisive goal against Real Madrid in the semi-final, and also bagged an assist in the final of the Coppa Italia, which Juve won, along with the league title.
Despite Juve making a rocky start to the new season, Pogba’s form has played a key part in their revival, with him scoring the opening goal in a 2-1 win over Torino in the Turin Derby. Pogba was named as 10th in UEFA’s Best Player in Europe award, and was among the nominees for the 2015 UEFA Team of the Year. Despite these impressive individual acclaims, he’ll be focusing on more team success in 2016, hoping to defend the Serie A title with Juve, and impress for France at Euro 2016. (Words: Olli Emmerson)
14 - Sergio Busquets (FC Barcelona/Spain)
Sergio Busquets is one of the most undervalued players in world football. While the likes of Messi, Neymar and Suárez take much of the credit for Barcelona's success, it wouldn't be possible without Busquets. He is the closest thing in modern football to a complete midfielder and he is absolutely vital to Luis Enrique's team.
Primarily a defensive midfielder, his main responsibility is to protect the centre-backs with fullbacks, whilst his fellow midfielders push on in attack. However, he offers so much more to the team than just cover for the backline, and his range of passing is just as good as any of his more illustrious teammates and he's fast becoming one of the best deep-lying playmakers in the game. This can be evidenced in the pass he made to Suárez in their Club Word Cup Final victory over River Plate most recently.
Busquets isn't really one for the limelight and perhaps it is this along with the fact that he doesn't score many goals that leads to fans underappreciating his value to the team, but his teammates and coaches are well aware of what he brings to the table. Xavi, Pep Guardiola and Johan Cruyff have all had great things to say about Busquets, but perhaps it was Spain coach Vicente del Bosque who summed him up best with this quote:
"If you watch the game you won't see Busquets but if you watch Busquets, you will see the whole game." (Words: Gerry Johnston)
13 - Andres Iniesta (FC Barcelona/Spain)
Andres Iniesta is still going. Everything in Spanish football has involved Iniesta, one of the finest midfielders of the century. As Xavi has departed, Iniesta has continued without his partner.
Another UEFA Champions League arrived for the 31-year-old, lifting another treble for Barcelona. His importance is declining for Barca, with Ivan Rakitic and Sergio Busquets seen as the two best midfielders for the club. Yet when he does appear, as he has done 18 times for the club already this season, he impresses as always.
The amount of injuries are increasing and the running done in games is decreasing. However, he has adapted to suit that. While Iniesta is on the pitch for the Catalonian side, there are many more passes completed each game, tiring the opposition, Barcelona's main tactic.
His incredible skill remains, not possible to be rid of. That close control which created famous pictures of 5 or 6 players surrounding him in attempt to nullify his impact is still prominent. He still takes on player every game, while looking to spread it wide for Neymar, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
Another great year for a great player, Iniesta lives on as one of the best midfielders in the world. (Words: Harry Robinson)
12 - Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich/Germany)
The versatile Thomas Müller continues to perform at the very highest level in his own, unique way. Something of an anti-superstar, Müller represents Bayern Munich as much more than just another highly paid prima-donna – He is an everyman, a real Bavarian, just one who plays football infinitely better than most.
Müller has won everything there is to be won at the age of 26, with the World Cup, Champions League, Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal already in his trophy cabinet. Add to that the 2010 World Cup Golden Boot, and it is quite apparent that Bayern’s number 25 is a once-in-a-generation talent. His greatest strength is his almost phantom-like movement into space on the pitch, with the player himself describing his role as that of a “Raumdeuter”, or ‘space interpreter’. Ice-cold under pressure, Müller is one of those rare players who excels when the chips are down, with his laid-back personality misleading of what a fierce competitor he is.
Having already beaten his previous season-high goal-tally with 14 goals in the first half of the Bundesliga campaign, Müller has become an even deadlier finisher and continues to refine his already excellent reading of the game. Overall, he has netted 21 goals in 23 appearances this season, while being an indispensable aspect of Pep Guardiola’s team with his all-round play and ability to create opportunities and space for his teammates. He is showing no signs of slowing down, and constantly looks to improve – As he once stated; "I’m slowly but surely getting the feeling I can do more with my left foot than just get up and fetch a beer". Without a doubt, Müller is one of a kind as a character and a player. (Words: Marco Conradie)
11 - David de Gea (Manchester United/Spain)
It takes something special to be nominated for Player of the Year in the Premier League as a goalkeeper. Alongside star strikers and goalscorers, De Gea was one of the six nominated for the prestigious award in May. Although he didn’t win it, he did win the Manchester United Player of the Season award for the second consecutive year.
At United, he has been stunning once more. With 19 clean sheets in 2015, and possibly more to come, there is a strong argument to suggest that David de Gea is the world’s best goalkeeper, and if not, he will be very soon.
No club honours came for United and as such de Gea’s trophy cabinet is looking rather empty aside from personal awards, whereas competitors like Manuel Neuer have stacks of medals at home.
That doesn’t stop him from being right up there with the incredibly skilful outfield players. Goalscorers win you games, but as many great men have alluded to, defences and goalkeepers win you titles.
De Gea’s reflex actions are second to none in today’s game, while his handling of one-on-one situations is also something to be in awe of. Rarely is David de Gea beaten. His command of his defence and penalty area has grown over the past year or so too. At the age of 25, he is still developing and still learning.
He almost left Manchester for Madrid when Real came circling this summer but a move broke down due to paperwork issues on transfer deadline day. He has no signed a new contract at Old Trafford and if United are to end their trophy drought it will be partly down to the excellence of David de Gea.
If Manuel Neuer is reading this, he better watch out, de Gea is coming up for his goalkeeping throne quickly. (Words: Harry Robinson)