It’s around this time of year when various publications come up with their lists of the best players in the world. So why don’t we wind the clock back 40 years and imagine what a list might have looked like in 1980?
Before I start, I’m sure there will be some big omissions and questionable choices here. Hopefully it’s as realistic as it might have been. I’ve tried my best.
100. Aleksandr Chivadze 🇬🇪
Dinamo Tbilisi - Centre-back
Stylish sweeper who is the backbone of crack Soviet outfit Tbilisi. Recently named Soviet player of the year in recognition of his class.
99. Hugo Hovenkamp 🇳🇱
AZ Alkmaar - Full-back
Dependable and steady defender who has been a mainstay of the Dutch defence at the European Championship. Well established at AZ, having just celebrated his 30th birthday.
98. Jesus Zamora 🇪🇸
Real Socieded - Midfielder
Moustachioed midfield orchestrator who is rapidly becoming one of Europe’s best. La Real were league runners-up last season and are bidding now to go one better.
97. Alberto Tarantini 🇦🇷
River Plate - Full-back
His ill-fated spell at Birmingham is now a memory as he’s back in Argentina with River. The World Cup showed Tarantini at his best and there are few left-backs better.
96. Ronnie Hellstrom 🇸🇪
Kaiserslautern - Goalkeeper
One of the outstanding goalkeepers at the 1978 World Cup, Hellstrom continues to impress domestically. Kaiserslautern have been regular challengers in recent years with the Swede their rock at the back.
95. Anghel Iordanescu 🇷🇴
Steaua Bucharest - Forward
Tricky dribbler who had been in superb form of late. Goals against England and a hat-trick against Yugoslavia are proof of that.
94. Rob Rensenbrink 🇳🇱
Portland Timbers - Winger
Decamping to the USA indicates Rensenbrink’s career is winding down but what a career. The sublime winger has been one of the decade’s most dangerous and graceful figures.
93. Carlos Caszely 🇨🇱
Colo-Colo - Forward
Starred at last year’s Copa America in a sign of his continued quality. Short and squat, he dominated domestically, rattling in goals at a rate of knots.
92. Michel Renquin 🇧🇪
Standard Liege - Full-back
Disciplined and dogged defender who typically plays at the left but is capable in the middle. One of the stars of Belgium’s Euro 80 campaign.
91. Bernd Dietz 🇩🇪
Duisburg - Defender
Captain of West Germany, versatile and hugely adaptable defender. Superb record of goal scoring and has been one of the top players in the Bundesliga for almost a decade.
90. Roberto Dinamite 🇧🇷
Vasco da Gama - Striker
After a short spell in Barcelona, Dinamite is back at Vasco and doing what he does best; scoring goals! Prolific forward who’s as explosive in the penalty area as his name might suggest.
89. Johnny Rep 🇳🇱
Winger - Saint-Etienne
Golden boy of Dutch football who has proven as good in green as he was in orange. Maybe a shade past his best now but still a joy to watch.
88. Rinat Dasayev 🇷🇺
Spartak Moscow - Goalkeeper
Nicknamed ‘the Iron Curtain’, many observers regard Dasayev as the best Soviet prospect since Lev Yashin. The Spartak man has shown maturity beyond his years.
87. Glenn Hoddle 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
Tottenham - Midfielder
Grace and elan are the hallmarks of Spurs’ young midfield maestro. His range of passing and ability on the ball are world class.
86. Frank Arnesen 🇩🇰
Ajax - Midfielder
Back to back Dutch titles were fair reward for Arnesen’s impressive form. His drive and control have been an integral part of the Amsterdammers’ recent success.
85. Oscar 🇧🇷
São Paulo - Centre-back
One of the most impressive defenders of the 1978 World Cup. Just moved to São Paulo, via New York Cosmos, after a long spell with Ponte Preta.
84. Frans Thijssen 🇳🇱
Ipswich - Midfielder
One of the revelations of the season. Thijssen has been in scintillating form so far this year and is leading Ipswich’s charge for Europe.
83. Maxime Bossis 🇫🇷
Nantes - Defender
Whether at full-back or in the centre, Bossis is full of class. Nantes’s Championnat victory was founded on the strongest defence in the league and he is the main man for the Canaries.
82. Teofilo Cubillas 🇵🇪
Fort Lauderdale Strikers - Forward
A player of truly magical quality who can produce the unexpected. Currently excelling in the NASL, he will give Scotland fans nightmares for years to come.
81. Ray Wilkins 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
Manchester United - Midfielder
A smashing player and a first class young man. Sometimes maligned for his lack of forward motion, he’s comfortable on the ball and intelligent in his use of it. A gentleman.
80. Ze Sergio 🇧🇷
São Paulo - Striker
Potent forward who has been the talk of Brazil with his goals and movement. The Selecao desperate need a top class goalscorer and he might just be the man they’re looking for.
79. Zdenek Nehoda 🇨🇿
Dukla Prague - Forward
Can play either on the wing or through the middle. Loves to dribble and named Czech Player of the Year in both 1978 and 1979.
78. Jose Antonio Camacho 🇪🇸
Real Madrid - Left-back
In his six seasons with Los Blancos, Camacho has won 5 league titles. His bustling style down the left flank has been a huge source of strength for the Merengues who continue to sweep all before them.
77. Luc Millecamps 🇧🇪
KSV Waregem - Centre-back
He might not play for the most glamorous of clubs, but the tall and rugged Belgian has plenty of admirers. Fine displays at Euro 80 marked him out but he’s happy to continue playing alongside older brother Marc.
76. Paolo Rossi 🇮🇹
Perugia - Striker
Banned for his part in a match-fixing scandal, the absence of Rossi is a real blow to Serie A. Has shown himself to be one of the game’s leading marksmen with his clever movement and finishing.
75. Johan Cruyff 🇳🇱
Washington Diplomats - Forward
He might be 33, but the footballing brain of the most intelligent player in history is as sharp as ever. Could easily still cut it if he was playing in Europe.
74. Rafael Gordillo 🇪🇸
Real Betis - Left-back
Named by Don Balon as the best Spaniard in La Liga last season, Gordillo goes from strength to strength. A tireless worker, he’s comfortable in midfield or defence.
73. Anton Ondrus 🇨🇿
Slovan Bratislava - Centre-back
Widely regarded as one of the premier sweepers of the last 10 years, Ondrus has been an unflappable presence at the heart of the Czechoslovakian defence.
72. Waldemar Victorino 🇺🇾
Nacional - Forward
It’s been the perfect year for the Uruguayan. Scorer of winning goals in the Copa Libertadores and Intercontinental Cup finals, as well as domestic silverware, everything he touches turns to gold.
71. Arie Haan 🇳🇱
Anderlecht - Midfielder
One of the most decorated players in history with three European Cups and two Cup Winners’ Cups. Renowned for his long-range blasts, his goals are normally spectacular.
70. Fulvio Collovati 🇮🇹
Milan - Centre-back
Highly-rated defender who is already well-established in the Italy defence. Tall and mobile, he looks to have all the attributes required to reach the top.
69. Ray Clemence 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
Liverpool - Goalkeeper
The foundation of so much of the Anfield success of the last decade. Superb keeper who had served club and country with distinction.
68. Osvaldo Ardiles 🇦🇷
Tottenham - Midfielder
Top class schemer who was the fulcrum of Argentina’s World Cup victory. Has won many admirers since his surprise move to White Hart Lane.
67. Eric Gerets 🇧🇪
Standard Liege - Right-back
A shining light in Belgium’s Euro 80 campaign, he’s now getting due recognition across the Continent. Clean tackling full-back who defends with authority.
66. Fernando Morena 🇺🇾
Valencia - Striker
Prolific goalscorer who made a reputation terrorising South American defences and is now doing the same in Europe.
65. Harald Schumacher 🇩🇪
Koln - Goalkeeper
Bold, confident and outspoken, Toni Schumacher joins the likes of Sepp Maier and Toni Turek among the list of great German keepers.
64. Marius Tresor 🇫🇷
Bordeaux - Centre-back
One of the most dominant central defenders of the last decade, Tresor combines almost every attribute you could wish for. A leader of men.
63. Graeme Souness 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
Liverpool - Midfield
Never short of confidence, Souness has become a driving force in the middle of midfield. Combines class on the ball with steel in the tackle and only seems to be getting better.
62. Viv Anderson 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
Nottingham Forest - Defender
England are blessed with a wealth of top full-backs and Viv Anderson ranks highly among them. An integral part of the Forest side who have twice conquered Europe.
61. Batista 🇧🇷
Internacional - Midfielder
Dogged and determined defensive midfielder who goes against the image of Brazilian football. Has been outstanding domestically in recent seasons.
60. Leopoldo Luque 🇦🇷
Union Santa Fe - Striker
One of the heroes of Argentina’s 1978 triumph. The centre-forward packs a real punch in his shooting and has recently returned to his hometown club after 5 years at River.
59. Juanito 🇪🇸
Real Madrid - Forward
Renowned for his dribbling and ability, the Spanish forward is the darling of the Bernabeu. Has formed an excellent attacking partnership with Santillana.
58. Felix Magath 🇩🇪
Hamburg - Midfielder
Has enjoyed plenty of success since moving to Hamburg, most notably a Bundesliga title and the Cup Winners’ Cup. Now we’ll established with West Germany.
57. Laurie Cunningham 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
Real Madrid - Winger
A player of enormous talent who could prove a key figure for England. Has settled well in Madrid and is carving a big reputation on the Continent.
56. Safet Susic 🇧🇦
Sarajevo - Midfielder
One of the most technically gifted players to emerge from Eastern Europe in years, many clubs are already eyeing a move for the Yugoslav midfielder who runs games with ease.
55. Daniel Bertoni 🇦🇷
Fiorentina - Winger
It was hardly a surprise that Bertoni was one of the first foreigners recruited after Italy ended its longstanding ban. Bertoni has excelled at Sevilla and with the Argentine national team.
54. Antonio Cabrini 🇮🇹
Juventus - Left-back
A familiar sight, bombing down the left flank for Juventus and Italy. Cabrini was rated among the best youngsters at the 1978 World Cup and continues to excel.
53. Allan Simonsen 🇩🇰
Barcelona - Forward
The 1977 Ballon d’Or winner had a strong first season after his move from Gladbach. The Dane is clever and inventive and looks well suited to prosper in La Liga.
52. Vladimir Petrovic 🇷🇸
Red Star Belgrade - Midfielder
The jewel in the Red Star crown. For a country who idolise playmakers, Petrovic is the latest hero and one of the best they have produced in decades.
51. Trevor Francis 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
Nottingham Forest - Forward
English football’s first £1m pound man has already paid back that fee with a pair of European Cups. Electric attacker who has everything in his armoury.
50. Dirceu 🇧🇷
Atletico Madrid - Midfielder
Brazil’s best player at the 1978 World Cup has now made the jump to Europe. Clever in possession, creative in his passing, he has the attributes to set La Liga alight.
49. Alessandro Altobelli 🇮🇹
Inter Milan - Striker
Italy are blessed with a wealth of strikers and Altobelli looks another future superstar. Excellent in the air and a capable shooter with both feet, he doesn’t have any obvious weaknesses.
48. Jean-Marie Pfaff 🇧🇪
Beveren - Goalkeeper
One of eleven children, Pfaff’s parents could have fielded a football team of their own. If they had, at least they’d have been able to rely on a truly world class keeper.
47. Zbigniew Boniek 🇵🇱
Widzew Łódź - Forward
Dynamic and incisive attacker who drifts between the lines with purpose and poise. Being eyed by most of Western Europe’s top sides.
46. Toninho Cerezo 🇧🇷
Atletico Mineiro - Midfielder
Heartbeat of an excellent domestic side. Cerezo is an industrious but classy central midfielder go does everything with panache.
45. Soren Lerby 🇩🇰
Ajax - Midfielder
Though he’s a central midfielder, Lerby ended as top scorer in last season’s European Cup. Admittedly 5 of his goals came in a single match against Omonia of Cyprus but they all count.
44. Walter Schachner 🇦🇹
Austria Wien - Striker
Prolific scorer who has topped the charts in the last two years in the Austrian Bundesliga. Nicknamed Schoko for his love of chocolate.
43. Klaus Allofs 🇩🇪
Fortuna Düsseldorf - Striker
Top scorer at Euro 80 and a winner of back to back DFB Pokals. Allofs was Bundesliga top scorer in 1979 and has an innate nose for goal.
42. Tony Woodcock 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
Koln - Forward
Pacy attacker who has settled well in Germany after his big money move from Forest. Had won league and European titles as well as being named young player of the year.
41. Claudio Gentile 🇮🇹
Juventus - Defender
No nonsense defender who can play either on the right or at centre-back. A dogged and determined marker, he doesn’t give opponents a moment’s peace.
40. Quini 🇪🇸
Barcelona - Striker
Nobody has a happier knack of scoring goals in La Liga than Quini who has recently moved from Sporting Gijon to Barcelona. Struggles to replicate his domestic form for La Roja.
39. Ubaldo Fillol 🇦🇷
River Plate - Goalkeeper
Many consider Fillol to be the best goalkeeper Argentina have ever produced. Integral part of the World Cup winning side and serial winner with River Plate.
38. Hans-Peter Briegel 🇩🇪
Kaiserslautern - Defender/Midfielder
Hugely versatile player renowned for his stamina and physicality. Teak tough, he takes no prisoners on the pitch.
37. Sócrates 🇧🇷
Corinthians - Midfielder
Tall and languid playmaker who makes everything look easy. Assured in possession and so clever in his use of the ball.
36. Dino Zoff 🇮🇹
Juventus - Goalkeeper
Veteran keeper who remains among the best in the world. Has a slight weakness to long shots but is otherwise imperious and shows few signs of slowing down.
35. Karlheinz Forster 🇩🇪
Stuttgart - Centre-back
Earning a reputation as one of the best markers around, Forster’s rise has been meteoric. He’d barely begun his club career before being capped by West Germany and continues to excel.
34. Santillana 🇪🇸
Real Madrid - Forward
Superb in the air, despite a relative lack of height, Santillana profits from excellent service. Has been at the Bernabeu for nearly a decade and won nearly every trophy available.
33. Junior 🇧🇷
Flamengo - Left-back
Title winner this season in Brazil and rapidly developing into one of the most complete full-backs around. As good going forward as he is defending.
32. Hansi Muller 🇩🇪
Stuttgart - Midfielder
Cultured and elegant schemer who knits things together in the middle of the pitch. What he lacks in power and size, he makes up for with finesse.
31. Hans Krankl 🇦🇹
Barcelona - Striker
One of the most feared frontmen of recent years, an explosive striker of the ball who racks up goals regardless of the opposition. First season at Barca was superb but now seems unsettled.
30. Erwin Vandenbergh 🇧🇪
Lierse - Striker
39 goals in 34 games last season was enough to crown Vandenbergh as Europe’s top marksman. Has also made an excellent start to this campaign.
29. John Robertson 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
Nottingham Forest - Winger
For all of Forest’s success, Robertson is the man who can conjure things from thin air and unlock a stubborn defence. A wonderful dribbler with magic in his boots.
28. Uli Stielike 🇩🇪
Real Madrid - Sweeper
Regarded by Don Balon as the best foreigner playing in Spain, Stielike is unflashy but does so much well. Clever in his positioning, adept in possession, he’s a first rate Libero.
27. Liam Brady 🇮🇪
Juventus - Midfielder
Hugely talented midfield schemer who is highly regarded across the Continent. Excellent passer and a player of true vision.
26. Herbert Prohaska 🇦🇹
Inter - Midfielder
It was no surprise that Prohaska was among the first cohort to arrive in Serie A after the ban on foreigners. His elegance and class on the ball have been evident for years and Inter have acquired one of the very best.
25. Gaetano Scirea 🇮🇹
Juventus - Centre-back
A Rolls-Royce defender who makes the game look easy. Graceful under pressure, but a master of the fundamentals of the game.
24. Wilfried Van Moer 🇧🇪
Beveren - Midfielder
An old campaigner at 35 but still capable of brilliance. The brains behind Belgium’s excellent Euro 80 with his ability to pick teams apart and always make a telling pass.
23. Kees Kist 🇳🇱
AZ Alkmaar - Striker
Top scorer in the Eredivisie for the last two seasons and his 34 goals in the 78-79 season were enough to win a European Golden Boot. Leading a powerful AZ side who look set to break the longstanding stranglehold on the Dutch title.
22. Terry McDermott 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
Liverpool - Midfielder
Not the most glamorous name on the list but few players are as important. Good enough to be named player of the year by both the football writers and his peers.
21. Horst Hrubesch 🇩🇪
Hamburg - Striker
Two towering headers in the European Championship final were enough to secure yet another trophy for Wear Germany. Made up for the disappointment of losing to Nottingham Forest in the European Cup final.
20. Bruno Pezzey 🇦🇹
Eintracht Frankfurt - Centre-back
Tall and graceful sweeper who many regard as the best in the business. A key element behind Frankfurt’s UEFA Cup triumph this year.
19. Roberto Bettega 🇮🇹
Juventus - Forward
Capocannoniere for his exploits last season, Bettega is a master of his art. Clever movement, speed and a sureness of finish make him one of the best in the world.
18. Luis Arconada 🇪🇸
Real Sociedad - Goalkeeper
Brilliant shot-stopper whose acrobatics and ability with his feet are first rate. May well be the best Spanish keeper since the legendary Zamora.
17. Oleg Blokhin 🇺🇦
Dynamo Kyiv - Forward
Explosive wingman who may just be the fastest player in world football. Ballon d’Or winner in 1975, he’s matured as a player in recent years and leads from the front.
16. Peter Shilton 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
Nottingham Forest - Goalkeeper
The most complete keeper in the game. Shilton was a big buy for Brian Clough but has proved an inspired acquisition with his peerless positioning and awareness of angles.
15. Mario Kempes 🇦🇷
Valencia - Forward
World Cup top scorer and two-time Pichichi winner Kempes has had a sensational few years. Signs are that his time in Spain may be coming to an end and a return to Argentina beckons.
14. Paul Breitner 🇩🇪
Bayern Munich - Midfielder
Former left-back now fully converted into one of the most dynamic midfielders around. Hasn’t played internationally for years but his form with Bayern has been exceptional.
13. Daniel Passarella 🇦🇷
River Plate - Centre-back
Short in stature but with huge heart, Passarella is a true leader. Scores a remarkable number of goals for a defender with his ability in the air and speciality around penalties.
12. Giancarlo Antognoni 🇮🇹
Fiorentina - Midfielder
Classy playmaker whose touch and creativity set him apart from the pack. Shone at the Euros and is the centrepiece of Fiorentina’s ambitions.
11. Kenny Dalglish 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
Liverpool - Forward
Filling the boots of Kevin Keegan was no mean feat but Dalglish has excelled at Anfield. The trophies just keep on coming as Liverpool conquer all in front of them.
10. Manfred Kaltz 🇩🇪
Hamburg - Defender
Superb attacking full-back who can also play well as a libero. His crosses from the right are the source of so many goals for Horst Hrubesch.
9. Jan Ceulemans 🇧🇪
Club Brugge - Midfielder
Powerful and dynamic youngster who lit up Belgium’s Euro charge. Tall, long-limbed but nimble and deft in his use of the ball, he’s the complete player.
8. Bernd Schuster 🇩🇪
Barcelona - Midfielder
The revelation of the European Championship. The successor to Netzeruas similarly moved to Spain, joining Barca, and looks set to star for West Germany for the decade ahead.
7. Ruud Krol 🇳🇱
Napoli - Defender/Midfielder
Originally a left-back, then a centre-back and now a master in central midfield, Krol is a true total footballer. Making a big impact in Italy after 12 years at Ajax and a brief sojourn in Canada.
6. Paulo Roberto Falcao 🇧🇷
Roma - Midfielder
Has made a sensational start in Rome following his departure from Internacional. Elegant on the ball, tough in the tackle and clever in his thinking, he’s ideally suited to life in Serie A.
5. Michel Platini 🇫🇷
Saint-Etienne - Midfielder
The coming king of French football. Majestic playmaker who excels in getting forward and scoring goals. His free-kicks are a particular speciality.
4. Kevin Keegan 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
Southampton - Forward
Back in England after 3 sensational years at Hamburg. He left as the best player in the top flight and came back having twice been named the best in Europe. Named the Mighty Mouse by Hamburg fans for his size and physicality.
3. Diego Armando Maradona 🇦🇷
Argentinos Juniors - Midfielder
Mesmerising dribbler, impudent genius who has the world at his feet. A spellbinding talent who has taken the game by storm and looks set to dominate for years to come.
2. Zico 🇧🇷
Flamengo - Forward
A maker and scorer of goals in prodigious quantities who has dominated the Brazilian domestic scene in recent seasons. Dubbed ‘the white Pele’ as the successor to the famous Selecao number 10.
1. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge 🇩🇪
Bayern Munich - Forward
A fast and dynamic attacker who has grown into the game’s premier player. Whether from wide areas or the centre, his pace and direct running make him a constant great while his finishing is now top class. A winner.
Well, that about does her, wraps her all up. But who was missing from the list? Who should have made it and who was I wrong to include?
Plus if you liked this list, you might enjoy some of the previous ones as well. Starting with the World Cup’s 100 greatest: https://twitter.com/i/events/1003997739091312640?s=12
World Cup’s 100 Greatest

https://twitter.com/i/events/1003997739091312640?s=12
The 100 best from 2004: https://twitter.com/ademir2z/status/1257328430099697665
The 100 best from 1998: https://twitter.com/i/events/1061245713856770048?s=12
The 100 Best Players in the World - 1998

https://twitter.com/i/events/1061245713856770048?s=12
The 100 best from 1989: https://twitter.com/ademir2z/status/1203272943897321473
You can follow @ademir2z.
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