The 10 Best Goalkeepers, Defenders, Midfielders And Forwards In The World, According To FIFPro

Liverpool and Bayern Munich dominated the FIFPro Men's World XI this week, with the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joshua Kimmich and Robert Lewandowski featuring.

Now, the full rankings have emerged, including the top 10 goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders and forwards in world football.

To begin with, Liverpool and Brazil goalkeeper Alisson features in the number one spot after a stellar year under Jurgen Klopp at Anfield. He sits ahead of Manuel Neuer, Jan Oblak and Marc-Andre ter Stegen; three of Europe's finest shot-stoppers.

Despite a year of inconsistency between the sticks for club and country, Manchester United's David de Gea comes in sixth place in the list, which may surprise a few considering he features above the likes of Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson.

GOALKEEPERS:

1. Alisson (Liverpool)
2. Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich)
3. Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid)
4. Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona)
5. Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)
6. David de Gea (Manchester United)
7. Keylor Navas (Real Madrid)
8. Ederson (Manchester City)
9. Gianluigi Donnarumma (AC Milan)
10. Hugo Lloris (Tottenham)

Image: PA

In terms of the world's best defenders, FIFPro have named Real Madrid and Spain captain Sergio Ramos in the number one spot, ahead of Liverpool's Premier League winning trio Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson.

Somewhat of a surprising choice in the list is Dani Alves; the experienced full-back who has enjoyed a productive spell at Brazilian side Sao Paolo but has he performed better than the likes of Kalidou Koulibaly, Thiago Silva and Andy Robertson?

DEFENDERS:

1. Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
2. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
3. Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
4. Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich)
5. David Alaba (Bayern Munich)
6. Jordi Alba (Barcelona)
7. Dani Alves (Sao Paolo)
8. Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli)
9. Thiago Silva (Chelsea)
10. Andy Robertson (Liverpool)

Image: PA

Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne, the 2019/20 PFA Players' Player of the Year, is number one in the midfield department after another wonderful year under Pep Guardiola. He beats Thiago Alcantara, Luka Modric and N'Golo Kante to the top spot.

Bruno Fernandes, arguably one of the best signings in recent memory, has had a prolific impact at Manchester United since arriving in January and deservedly features in the list alongside the likes of Toni Kroos, Leon Goretzka and Casemiro.

MIDFIELDERS:

1. Kevin De Bruyne (Man City)
2. Thiago Alcantara (Liverpool)
3. Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
4. Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
5. Luka Modric (Real Madrid)
6. N'Golo Kante (Chelsea)
7. Frenkie De Jong (Barcelona)
8. Toni Kroos (Real Madrid)
9. Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich)
10. Casemiro (Real Madrid)

Image: PA

Perhaps the biggest talking point of FIFPro's latest rankings is the placing of Robert Lewandowski; the newly crowned Best FIFA Men's Player following a 55-goal haul for Bayern Munich last season. Despite his best efforts, however, Lionel Messi is placed above him in the list.

Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo finishes in bronze position, with the likes of Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who continues to tear up Serie A at the age of 39, sitting behind the Juventus forward.

FORWARDS:

1. Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
2. Robert Lewandowski (Bayern)
3. Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
4. Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund)
5. Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
6. Neymar (PSG)
7. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (AC Milan)
8. Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
9. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
10. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal)

Image: PA

FIFPRO WORLD XI:

GOALKEEPER: Alisson Becker (Brazil / Liverpool)

DEFENDERS: Trent Alexander-Arnold (England / Liverpool), Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands / Liverpool), Sergio Ramos (Spain / Real Madrid), Alphonso Davies (Canada / Bayern Munich)

MIDFIELDERS: Joshua Kimmich (Germany / Bayern Munich), Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium / Manchester City), Thiago Alcantara (Spain / Bayern Munich & Liverpool)

FORWARDS: Lionel Messi (Argentina / FC Barcelona), Robert Lewandowski (Poland / Bayern Munich), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal / Juventus)

Image: FIFpro/Twitter

Thoughts on the FIFPro list? Agree or disagree with any of the choices?

Let us know in the comments.

Topics: Football News, Alisson, Sergio Ramos, Football, Robert Lewandowski, Lionel Messi, Kevin de Bruyne, Cristiano Ronaldo

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

@jackkenmare_