Messi wins as Ronaldo misses out on top 10 World Best Playmaker of the decade

The Barcelona superstar garnered 174 points in the ranking system deployed by IFFHS.

BAYO OMOTOSO • January 12, 2021

Ronaldo and Messi (Photo Credit: Skysports)

Cristiano Ronaldo’s name was missing amongst the top 10 World Best Playmaker of the of the decade as released by the by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS).

Ronaldo’s closest challenger for world football throne, Lionel Messi, was however the highest rated man playmaker of the last decade (2011-2020).

The Argentina and Barcelona superstar garnered 174 points in the ranking system deployed by IFFHS. His former teammate Andreas Iniesta came a distant second with 127 point.

The IFFHS takes statistics of goals and assists by players in the decade under review . The number of chances created and pass completion also comes in to contribute to their final assessment.

Points are calculated by considering the top 20 of each yearly ranking of each category concerned and allocated points to each place.

The first placed person received 20 points, the second placed 19 points, the third placed 18 points …. and 1 point for the twentieth place. If the annual ranking comprised fewer than 20, no point will be awarded for the unoccupied places.

Adding the points from the individual years provides a World Ranking for the Period 2011 – 2020.

Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo, a five time Ballon D’or winner placed 12th on scale, a shocking discovery for the serial world best player.

The former Manchester United star recently beat the long lasting record of Brazil’s Pele for Most goals scored in club football.

The Juventus forward who started his senior career with Sporting CP in his native country transferred to Manchester United in England in the 2003. Ronaldo became the best player in the league and also the first Premier league player to win the Ballon D’or.

Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Spain’s Real Madrid 2009 and continued his great form by emerging the best player in the league and also won the Ballon D’or four more times .

Together with Messi, he set Spanish La Liga alight with fierce competition for honours. Ronaldo led the Madrid team to three consecutive UEFA Champions league victories.

He has the most goals (758) in recognized club football, most goals in UEFA Champions league.

See the list of top 10 World Best Man Playmaker of the decade below:

Lionel MESSI	Argentina	174
Andres INIESTA	Spain	127
Luka MODRIC	Croatia	113
Kevin DE BRUYNE	Belgium	103
Toni KROOS	Germany	90
Eden HAZARD	Belgium	77
NEYMAR	Brazil	71
Mesut OZIL	Germany	69
Andrea PIRLO	Italy	63
Yaya TOUR	Ivory Coast	60

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