Footballer of the Year List Holds Younger Players
The popularity contest for the number one spot as the most loved soccer player is based on several factors. Some football fans attach their pick based on the skill set. Others adore players based on their elaborate lifestyles, and perhaps charisma. Whatever the variables used to determine a player’s standing, certain players inevitably round off these lists. As one would hope, more younger people are making these lists.
So who made the list of the most popular footballer for 2020, and who topped it?
Sergio Ramos
This fabulously talented center back and Captain of the Real Madrid team starts off our list at number ten. Based on fan base and skills, he falls right on the margin between the top ten best and those who have a lot to prove before making the list. Incidentally, he has a total of 60.5 million social media fans worldwide. Seeing as he leads a popular squad, his fame is bound to grow in the upcoming years.
Sadio Mane
He won the FIFA Club World Cup and also faced off with Mohammed Salah and Riyad Mahrez to become the best footballer in Africa, for the year 2019/2020. The young athlete has made great impressions under Jurgen Klopp, giving his team leverage with wingmen Salah and Van Dyke. His remarkable talent and presence on the field earned him the number nine spot on our list.
Mohammed Salah
Following his wingman Mane’ is Salah from the Liverpool squad. This charismatic player should have a higher ranking on the list, but he is still one of the most loved and respected players in the league. He also came in second next to Mane in the best footballer in Africa contest. He does not look like he will tire soon, meaning we may rank him even higher in the future.
Marcelo Vieira
This player epitomizes football machismo. His fantastic skills set and down to earth personality earns him the number seven spot. Surprisingly, he almost walked away from football at some point. His full-back position spurred him to four Champions League and La La Liga awards. His popularity is undeniable with over 63 million followers online.
James Rodriguez
It’s cool to see younger players making the list. With older athletes holding on to these coveted spots, year in and out, players like Rodriguez bring much-needed completion. As mentioned, some players are loved for one reason or another, even though performance has become wanting. James has over 76 million followers online, though his career seems to be dwindling from injuries et al.
Eden Hazard
Another young player to make the list who is not going anywhere any time soon. Hazard’s name is apt for the dangerously talented and fierce player. Under Real Madrid, he seems set to make great fetes, perhaps even more than his stint at Chelsea, where they made it Europa League. If that wasn’t enough to earn him plenty of online followers, his 100 million euros transfer sure did.
Mbappe’, Kylian
As younger people join revered clubs, they seem to be giving elite players a serious run for their money. This is true for Mbappe, who after his epic performance in the World Cup, seems set to face off with Messi and Ronaldo as the best player in the league. As players seek to retire, younger people are holding the forte, and Mbappe is doing that with little competition in sight
Neymar da Silva Santos
The list would not be complete without this exhilarating player on it. Neymar’s appearance on any game makes for a full stadium. His team did not step up to the plate while facing off with PSG, but his presence never goes unnoticed. With over 190 million followers, it is evident that his popularity won’t waver soon.
Lionel Messi
Perhaps the most humble player in all professional football leagues at the moment, Messi also has one of the largest fan bases in football history. Whether you watch football, hear about it, or participate in gambling of the same, his name is popular in all circles. The popular athlete has over 234 million followers, not bad for a man who rarely posts anything related to his lifestyle.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Undisputed in all things popular and lifestyle-related, Ronaldo tops our list as the most popular footballer for 2020. If skills weren’t a factor, he still has a fan base that any footballer would kill for. The star keeps getting better with age, and one can only sit back and appreciate his talent for years to come. Putting his popularity into perspective, he has over 329 million social media followers. Beat that!
Conclusion:
These lists can be created based on any number of factors, and criterion can vary from skill sets to good looks or character. With that in mind, the players mentioned exhibit talent, charisma, ridiculously large salaries, and an enviable number of followers. These profiles make for extremely popular footballers, and Ronaldo seems to have set the pace for younger talent like Mbappe and Sadio Mane.
