We’ve canvassed the views of 124 experts from 45 countries but, as ever, we want to know what our readers think. So who’s with me: Neymar for No1?
How do we build anticipation for this year’s list of the world’s top 100 footballers when one player has clearly achieved so much more than his competitors? He terrorised defences in La Liga all season; he scored the matchwinner in a Cup final in May against obdurate Spanish opponents; he captained his country to a cathartic victory in a tournament they had never won; he stepped up and scored the crucial penalty in a shootout when under immense pressure, then fell on his knees and burst into tears of joy; and, as is mandatory for players in the uppermost echelons of the game, he heard from the Spanish tax authorities.
No, not Cristiano Ronaldo. The over-achiever of the year has been Neymar, the man who won La Liga, the Copa del Rey, the Supercopa de España and the gold medal Brazilians wanted the most from their home Games.
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