The Greatest Footballers of 2010–2020: A Decade of Excellence Across All Positions

The Greatest Footballers of 2010–2020: A Decade of Excellence Across All Positions

The decade from 2010 to 2020 was a golden era for football, marked by legendary players who pushed the boundaries of what was possible on the pitch. From prolific goal scorers to midfield maestros, rock-solid defenders, and world-class goalkeepers, these athletes redefined excellence in their respective roles.

In this blog, we’ll break down the best footballers of the decade across all positions and conclude with a definitive top 15 list that celebrates their brilliance.

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The Role of Each Position in Modern Football

Football is a team game where each position demands a unique skill set and understanding of the game. Let’s explore how different positions contributed to the evolution of the sport during this period:

Goalkeeper

The last line of defense, goalkeepers of the 2010s not only made crucial saves but also became integral to their teams’ playstyle, often acting as "sweeper-keepers" or playmakers from the back.

• Key Names: Manuel Neuer, Iker Casillas, Gianluigi Buffon.
  
  
  

Defenders

Defenders during this era were expected to do much more than just clear the ball. Modern center-backs contributed to build-up play, while full-backs transformed into attacking wingers, providing crosses, assists, and even goals.

• Key Names: Sergio Ramos, Virgil van Dijk, Dani Alves.
  
  
  

Midfielders

The midfield is where games are controlled. The 2010s saw some of the finest playmakers, box-to-box runners, and defensive anchors in football history. They were the engines of their teams, dictating tempo, providing assists, and even scoring when needed.

• Key Names: Andrés Iniesta, Luka Modrić, Kevin De Bruyne.
  
  
  

Forwards

Forwards were the stars of the decade, tasked with scoring goals and entertaining fans. Whether as wingers, false nines, or traditional strikers, they had one mission: to put the ball in the back of the net.

• Key Names: Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar Jr.
  
  
  

Criteria for Ranking

To ensure fairness, we evaluated players based on:

1. Goals/Assists (for forwards and midfielders)
2. Trophies Won (Domestic, European, and International)
3. Defensive Stats (for defenders and goalkeepers)
4. Individual Awards (Ballon d’Ors, Golden Boots, etc.)
5. Longevity and Consistency throughout the decade

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Top 15 Players of the 2010s

1. Lionel Messi (Forward)

• Goals/Assists: 700+ goals, 300+ assists (club and country combined).
• Trophies: 7 La Liga titles, 5 Copa del Rey, 2 Champions Leagues, 3 Club World Cups.
• Individual Awards: 6 Ballon d’Ors during the decade.
• Impact: Messi was the epitome of brilliance, delivering staggering stats season after season and redefining playmaking and goal-scoring.
  

2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Forward)

• Goals/Assists: 760+ goals, 200+ assists (club and country).
• Trophies: 4 Champions Leagues, 2 La Liga titles, 3 Premier Leagues, 2 Serie A titles, Euro 2016.
• Individual Awards: 4 Ballon d’Ors during the decade, numerous Golden Boots.
• Impact: Ronaldo’s relentless goal-scoring, athleticism, and clutch performances (notably in UCL finals) made him an unstoppable force.

3. Andrés Iniesta (Midfielder)

• Trophies: 5 La Liga titles, 2 Champions Leagues, FIFA World Cup 2010, UEFA Euro 2012.
• Key Stats: 70+ assists, 90% passing accuracy (club and country combined).
• Individual Awards: Euro 2012 Best Player, 2nd place in 2010 Ballon d’Or voting.
• Impact: Iniesta’s composure, vision, and ability to dictate games in the biggest moments cemented his legendary status.

4. Luka Modrić (Midfielder)

• Trophies: 4 Champions Leagues, FIFA World Cup Finalist (2018), La Liga titles.
• Key Stats: 75% tackle success rate, 87% pass accuracy, over 100 key passes in UCL campaigns.
• Individual Awards: Ballon d’Or (2018), FIFA Best Player.
• Impact: The mastermind behind Real Madrid’s dominance and Croatia’s rise on the international stage.

5. Sergio Ramos (Defender)

• Trophies: 4 Champions Leagues, 2 La Liga titles, FIFA World Cup (2010), UEFA Euro (2012).
• Key Stats: 300+ tackles, 100+ goals (as a defender), 700+ clearances.
• Individual Awards: FIFPro World XI (multiple times).
• Impact: A defensive titan and clutch goal-scorer, Ramos was often the difference in critical games.

6. Manuel Neuer (Goalkeeper)

• Trophies: 2 Champions Leagues, FIFA World Cup 2014, 8 Bundesliga titles.
• Key Stats: 250+ clean sheets, 75% save rate.
• Individual Awards: FIFA Best Goalkeeper 5 times.
• Impact: Neuer redefined the role of a goalkeeper, pioneering the "sweeper-keeper" style.

7. Neymar Jr. (Forward)

• Goals/Assists: 350+ goals, 200+ assists (club and country).
• Trophies: 2 La Liga titles, 3 Ligue 1 titles, Champions League (2015), Olympic Gold Medal (2016).
• Individual Awards: UCL Top Assist Provider (2015).
• Impact: Known for his flair and creativity, Neymar consistently delivered in domestic leagues and European competitions.

8. Virgil van Dijk (Defender)

• Trophies: Champions League (2019), Premier League (2020).
• Key Stats: 70% aerial duel success, 90+ clearances per season.
• Individual Awards: UEFA Best Player (2019), Ballon d’Or runner-up (2019).
• Impact: Van Dijk revolutionized Liverpool’s defense, transforming them into a title-winning machine.

9. Xavi Hernández (Midfielder)

• Trophies: 4 La Liga titles, FIFA World Cup (2010), UEFA Euro (2012).
• Key Stats: 92% passing accuracy, 150+ assists.
• Impact: Though his prime years were before 2010, Xavi remained an instrumental part of Barcelona and Spain’s dominance in the early decade.

10. Robert Lewandowski (Forward)

• Goals: 450+ goals (club and country).
• Trophies: 8 Bundesliga titles, Champions League (2020).
• Individual Awards: FIFA Best Player (2020), Golden Boot (multiple times).
• Impact: Lewandowski’s goal-scoring record, particularly in Bayern Munich’s treble-winning season, places him among the all-time greats.

11. Kevin De Bruyne (Midfielder)

• Trophies: 5 Premier League titles, 4 EFL Cups, FA Cup.
• Key Stats: 120+ assists, 100+ big chances created.
• Impact: De Bruyne’s creativity and versatility made him one of the best midfielders of the latter half of the decade.

12. Gianluigi Buffon (Goalkeeper)

• Trophies: 6 Serie A titles, multiple Coppa Italia wins.
• Key Stats: 300+ clean sheets, 70% save rate.
• Impact: Even in his later years, Buffon’s leadership and consistency made him a standout performer.

13. Dani Alves (Defender)

• Trophies: 3 Champions Leagues, 6 La Liga titles, multiple domestic titles in Ligue 1 and Brazil.
• Key Stats: 120+ assists as a full-back.
• Impact: The most decorated footballer ever, Alves was as influential in attack as he was in defense.

14. Antoine Griezmann (Forward)

• Goals/Assists: 250+ goal contributions.
• Trophies: FIFA World Cup 2018, Europa League (2018).
• Impact: A key figure for Atlético Madrid and France, Griezmann consistently delivered in major tournaments.

15. Mohamed Salah (Forward)

• Goals: 200+ goals in all competitions since 2017.
• Trophies: Premier League (2020), Champions League (2019).
• Impact: Salah’s electrifying pace and clinical finishing made him a global superstar in the latter part of the decade.

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Honorary Mentions

• Luis Suárez: Known for his incredible partnership with Messi and Neymar at Barcelona.
• Iker Casillas: A legendary goalkeeper who led Spain to World Cup and Euro glory.
• Kylian Mbappé: A rising star with a World Cup win (2018) and incredible domestic form.

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Conclusion

The 2010s were defined by unprecedented levels of skill, consistency, and success. While Messi and Ronaldo set the standard, players like Iniesta, Neuer, and Ramos ensured that every position was represented by excellence.

Who’s your favorite from this list? Let us know your thoughts!