'Modric the best player in the world' - are these the top 25 footballers of 2017?
Luka Modric the No.1 player in the world in 2017, Lionel Messi only seventh best and not a single Juventus player among the top 25 - those are the controversial views of Goal's Peter Staunton.
As ever, the Goal 50 is already provoking plenty of debate - despite the fact that the release of this year's list of the 50 finest footballing talents in the game today is still two days away.
On November 14, we will unveil the latest Goal 50, our prestigious annual award that ranks the top performers in the world over the previous 12 months.
Chief editors and correspondents from Goal's 37 editions around the world have cast their votes, with candidates judged on their level of consistency in 2017, their big-game performances, footballing legacy and the success of their teams at both club and international level.
With that in mind, it was hardly surprising, then, that Cristiano Ronaldo claimed last year's prize, after winning the Champions League with Real Madrid before then inspiring Portugal to Euro 2016 glory.
Ronaldo is the favourite to finish top of the pile this year, after he helped Los Blancos retain their European crown, but chief correspondent Peter Staunton has only deemed the forward good enough for second spot.
Postion | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
1. | Luka Modric | Real Madrid |
2. | Cristiano Ronaldo | Real Madrid |
3. | Real Madrid | |
4. | Bayern Munich | |
5. | Real Madrid | |
6. | PSG | |
7. | Lionel Messi | |
8. | ||
9. | PSG | |
10. | Chelsea | |
11. | Real Madrid | |
12. | Real Madrid | |
13. | ||
14. | Napoli |
Interestingly, though, Peter has completely overlooked Juventus, who, as well as reaching the final of the Champions League, also won another domestic double last term. That means no votes from him for the likes of Gianluigi Buffon, Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain.
Peter has instead plumped for Ronaldo's club-mate, Modric, as his top pick, believing that the Croatia playmaker, who was sensational in the second half of Real's 4-1 win over Juventus in the Champions League final in Cardiff, was the more influential figure in Zinedine Zidane's men winning a league and European Cup double last term.
In fact, four of Peter's top five ply their trade in the Spanish capital, with Brazilian full-back Marcelo finishing third and Toni Kroos claiming fifth, with Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara sandwiched in between.
Despite winning the European Golden Shoe last season, Lionel Messi is only deemed good enough for seventh, behind his former Barcelona team-mate Neymar, who has excelled since leaving the Catalan club for Paris Saint-Germain for a world-record fee of €222 million during the summer.
Neymar's new club-mate Kylian Mbappe also makes Peter's top 10, ranking ninth as a reward for his sensational breakout year at Monaco, while Eden Hazard (eighth) and David Luiz (tenth) are recognised for the pivotal parts they played in Chelsea's Premier League 2016-17 title triumph.
14. Dries Mertens Napoli
Interestingly, though, Peter has completely overlooked Juventus, who, as well as reaching the final of the Champions League, also won another domestic double last term. That means no votes from him for the likes of Gianluigi Buffon, Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain.
So, what do you make of Peter's top 25? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box!
The Goal 50 is an annual award that both recognises and ranks the world's 50 best footballers of the preceding 12 months. Chief editors and correspondents from Goal's 37 editions around the world all cast their votes, with candidates judged on their level of consistency over the previous year of action, their big-game performances, footballing legacy and the success of their teams at both club and international level.