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The 20 best footballers in the world 2013 – 16-20

By on December 30, 2013

With 2013 coming to a close, we look at who have been the best 20 footballers over the past calendar year (anybody worse than these players we frankly don’t care where they are ranked).  Click on a player to find out more about their year. Positions 1 to 15 will be released soon, but the big question is, who is number 1, Ronaldo or Messi? Check back tomorrow to find out!

Barcelona and Spain Age (as of December 29 2013): 33 Having been one of the standout players alongside Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi during Barcelona’s peak years between 2008 and 2012, Xavi’s career is beginning to wind down. The clockwork is still running with the 33-year-old at the center of Barca’s machine, but the public is starting to question Gerardo Martino’s decision to play Xavi ahead of some younger options. Sadly, next year will most likely be the end of the Xavi-era at Barcelona.
Bayern Munich and Germany Age (as of December 29 2013): 29 Bouncing back from a missed penalty in the 2011/12 Champions League final and a less than satisfying Euro 2012, Schweinsteiger was the creative force keeping and the “keep calm” force behind Bayern Munich’s treble last season. The 29-year-old, at the prime of his career, is continuing to keep Bayern at the peak of European football and at the top of the Bundesliga coming into 2013, while finally beginning to get some of the praise he has long deserved.
Paris Saint-Germain and Brazil Age (as of December 29 2013): 29 Club and Country captain Silva finally overcame multiple injuries over the past few years to shine through as a good central defender in the air while being able to put in the tackles too. Finally he looks to be worth the €45 million PSG paid to pry him away from Milan, so make sure to look out for one of the most solid defender in the world at next summer’s World Cup.
Manchester City and Ivory Coast Age (as of December 29 2013: 30 The big man has not only provided City with three assists and nine league goals so far this season, but has proved there is life after Barcelona. Toure was sold by the Catalans at the peak of their powers, yet has shined at City as a solid holding midfielder and a brute force in attack. However, at the age of thirty this is likely to be one of his final years in peak form.
Manchester City and Spain Age (as of December 29 2013): 27 Although Manchester City lost the Premier League title back to arch-rivals Manchester United this year, David Silva could hardly be to blame. The genius attacking-midfielder has been at the root of nearly all of City’s attacking throughout 2013, and also starred for Spain during the Confederations Cup. Even with five assists and four league goals so far this season expect Silva only to improve in 2014 as he enters his prime.

About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, founder of Football Every Day, lives and breaths football from the West Coast of the United States in California. Aside from founding Football Every Day in January of 2013, Alex has also launched his own journalism career and hopes to help others do the same with FBED. He covers the San Jose Earthquakes as a beat reporter for QuakesTalk.com and his work has also been featured in the BBC's Match of the Day Magazine.