The editors, journalists, and correspondents from the 38 Goal editions around the world have voted and ranked the best footballers for 2016. Players are decided upon factors such as successes with their club and their national team, performances in big games, consistency over the past year, and overall success in their career.
Being ranked one of the 50 best footballers this year is surely an accomplishment to brag about, and an honor so few footballers can achieve. Goal.com, the online portal dedicated to one sport - football, has been counting down the top 50 best footballers of 2016 in a series of positions: 50-41, 40-31, 30-21 and what was released today - the top 20-11 best of 2016.
While Croatian footballer and Barcelona F.C. midfielder Ivan Rakitić was already ranked in this list as number 48, today we honor our Croatian national team captian: Luka Modrić was ranked the 18th best footballer for 2016.
In this list, Modrić climbs ahead of the likes of world class players such as Müller, Kroos, Buffon, Dybala, Aguero, De Bruyne, Sanchez, Iniesta, Ozil, Busquets.
Goal writes:
“Like Xavi, the former Tottenham midfielder is unlikely to ever win a Ballon d'Or but that does not diminish his brilliance or influence in any way, shape or form. Modric is the man who makes both Madrid and Croatia tick, as he proved once again in Real's Champions League win and in his country's thrilling showings in the group stage of Euro 2016.”
Congrats to you, Luka! Goal will release the top 10 footballers of 2016 soon...
