World Class Plays in Football

If you’ve been keeping up to date on 90min‘s Welcome to World Class, you’ll know we’ve been going over what defines a ‘world class’ footballer in this day and age.

Using our unique metric – you can find an explainer on that here – we picked out five players per position who make up the best the planet can offer in those specific spots.

 

We’ve detailed our thinking behind each score in the lists, and it’s provoked some great debate on social media. What better way to round things off than a big list of footballers ranked by how each scored on our metric?

Deep breathes, here we go…

Metric Score: 402

James is part of England’s rich group of right backs and is edging his way to the front of the queue. While Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kieran Trippier remain fierce competitors for a national team spot, James’ powerful defensive skills and excellent delivery in the final third make him a high quality defender with even higher potential.

49. Luke Shaw

Metric Score: 408

Shaw has managed to turn his career around over the past year, becoming first choice for both Manchester United and England while delivering some of his most consistent performances to date. He’s found the latter part of 2021 tough, but there’s no doubting he’s been one of the best left backs around in recent times.

48. Vinicius Jr

Metric Score: 412

Vinicius squeezed into the rankings for the top five left forwards in the world, with his hot start to the 2021/22 season the reason for his ascension. The Brazilian has struck up a terrific partnership with Karim Benzema as Real Madrid look to win back the La Liga title.

47. Ilkay Gundogan

Metric Score: 413

One of the big reasons for Manchester City’s 2020/21 Premier League title win was Gundogan’s goalscoring form. The Germany international enjoyed some deadly months in front of goal and was voted into the central midfield rankings by 90min followers.

46. Leroy Sane

Metric Score: 415

Another to be voted in by fans, Sane is now delivering the goods for Bayern Munich. He claimed the third league title of his career last season and has made a hot start to the current campaign. He’s starting to fulfil his potential and the only way is up.

45. Rodri

Metric Score: 418

The holding midfielder baton at Manchester City has finally been passed from Fernandinho to Rodri, and the Spaniard has made that transition look seamless. He’s a consistent presence in Pep Guardiola’s starting XI and is good for a banger from distance every now and then too.

44. Bernardo Silva

Metric Score: 422

Silva has been reborn since the start of the 2021/22 season and was voted into the attacking midfield rankings by 90min followers. The Portugal international has been afforded greater license to get forward and his goal stats show how good a decision that has been.

43. Serge Gnabry

Metric Score: 423

Handpicked by 90min‘s YouTube gang for the final right forwards spot, Gnabry is now one of the most clinical and ruthless players around. That didn’t seem to be on the cards after that woeful spell at West Brom, showing you should never write someone off just because they couldn’t cut it under Tony Pulis.

42. Theo Hernandez

Metric Score: 423

Hernandez is one of the most dangerous defenders around. He’s got a great goal record from the back and doesn’t neglect his defensive duties. His first international cap came in 2021 and he’ll add a load more to the four he’s accumulated so far by the time his career’s done and dusted.

41. Antonio Rudiger

Metric Score: 426

Voted in via the fan poll, Rudiger has turned his Chelsea career around and is one of Thomas Tuchel’s most important players. Comfortable bringing the ball out from the back and rarely beaten for pace or strength, the centre back is one of the most sought after defenders around.

40. Fabinho

Metric Score: 430

You only need watch Liverpool when they don’t have Fabinho in their starting lineup to understand just how important he is to Jurgen Klopp. He wins the ball back quickly and provides excellent cover for his flying full backs at club level. He was voted in by a fan poll too.

39. Joao Cancelo

Metric Score: 431

It took a while for Cancelo to establish himself at City, but after his performances over the past year or so, it’s clear to see just how important he is to the club now. The Portugal international has a wand of a right foot and has racked up magnificent assist numbers. You can read more about the stats that prove Cancelo is world class here.

38. Kyle Walker

Metric Score: 431

To reduce Walker to just a speed merchant does a disservice to just how much he has improved since switching Tottenham for Man City. Walker rarely lets his side down and if you’re rated so highly by Pep Guardiola, you’re probably doing something right. You can read more about the stats that prove Walker is world class here.

37. Federico Chiesa

Metric Score: 432

Gianluigi Donnarumma and Jorginho aside, Chiesa was the real ace in the pack for Italy at Euro 2020. An electric presence with the ball at his feet, the winger has turned from promising prodigy to world class performer, as his performances over the summer show. You can read about how Chiesa became one of world football’s most feared wingers here.

36. Leon Goretzka

Metric Score: 436

It can be hard to stand out at a club with a squad as richly filled as Bayern Munich’s, but that’s exactly what Goretzka has done. An immense goal threat from central midfield, the German pops up with crucial strikes and has helped Bayern in their continued domestic dominance.

35. Toni Kroos

Metric Score: 437

He might be long in the tooth now, but Kroos continues to have a massive influence on Real Madrid’s midfield. Kroos joins the dots for Los Blancos’ attacks and is an underrated defensive presence. He’s been world class for years and there’s no change this time around. You can read more about the stats that prove Kroos is world class here.

34. Riyad Mahrez

Metric Score: 437

Man City have such an embarrassment of riches in attack that it’s easy to underestimate just how excellent Mahrez has been in recent times. The Algerian has grown in stature at the Etihad Stadium and is one of their go-to guys whenever a goal is needed.

33. Cesar Azpilicueta

Metric Score: 441

Azpilicueta has been Mr Dependable for years at Chelsea – whether that be on the side of a back three or as a trademark right back. Whatever the situation, the Spaniard always drops a consistent 7/10.

32. Raphael Varane

Metric Score: 443

Varane’s trophy cabinet is famously full and he swapped the Bernabeu for Old Trafford in the summer in search of a fresh challenge. He’s a world class operator and it’s only a matter of time before he makes Man Utd’s defence watertight.

31. Son Heung-min