The Top 20 Playmakers Of The Decade Have Been Revealed

Lionel Messi has been named as the best playmaker of the past decade.

The International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) give out a yearly award for the top performer in the role and they elected to use data to determine who was the most productive player between 2011 and 2020.

The formula used saw the top 20 players from each year receive points based on where they were ranked.

First place collected twenty points, second was given nineteen and twentieth gained just one point, to give an overall list in a nine-year period.

And it was six-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi who emerged victorious. The winner of the award in 2015, 2017, 2017 and 2019, Messi's dominance saw him accrue an impressive 174 points.

Image: PA

The closest player to Messi was his long-time Barcelona teammate Andres Iniesta on 127, with Luka Modric and Kevin De Bruyne following behind on 113 and 103 respectively.

Image: PA

Toni Kroos is ranked in fifth position with 90 points, ahead of colleague Eden Hazard (77), Neymar (71) and Mesut Ozil (69).

Cristiano Ronaldo is renowned for his incredible goalscoring abilities but the five-time Ballon d'Or winner manages to make this list - his 54 points placing him twelfth overall.

Here is the star-studded top 20 list in full:

1. Lionel Messi - 174 points

2. Andres Iniesta - 127 points

3. Luka Modric - 113 points

4. Kevin De Bruyne - 103 points

5. Toni Kroos - 90 points

6. Eden Hazard - 77 points

7. Neymar - 71 points

8. Mesut Ozil - 69 points

9. Andrea Pirlo - 63 points

10. Yaya Toure - 60 points

11. Xavi Hernandez - 55 points

12. Cristiano Ronaldo - 54 points

13. David Silva - 52 points

14. James Rodriguez - 42 points

15. Bastian Schweinsteiger - 40 points

16. Christian Eriksen - 38 points

17. Riyad Mahrez - 38 points

18. Paul Pogba - 35 points

19. Thiago Alcantara - 33 points

20. Isco - 25 points

Topics: Football News, Football, Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Kevin de Bruyne, Luka Modric

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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