36. Arturo Vidal

Combative, explosive, but still capable of the deftest of touches, Vidal has become Bayern’s new battle leader.

After Bastian Schweinsteiger was somewhat unceremoniously moved on, the Bavarians' midfield lacked bite. Vidal’s arrival suggested they had found an answer, but it wasn’t until Pep Guardiola’s final chapter at the Allianz Arena that the ex-Juventus star proved once and for all that he was indeed the solution.

From around March onwards, Vidal started to strut rather than slump. He dragged a lacklustre Bayern past Benfica in the Champions League quarter-finals and held his side together in a victorious German Cup final against Borussia Dortmund.

Possessing the perfect blend of fight and flair, the 29-year-old looks set to be the pivot around which Bayern transition into a post-Robben, Ribery and Lahm era. Bayer Leverkusen fans won’t like it, but the young Chilean who once beat the Werkself drum has grown into a leader in Munich. Just cut out the diving, eh Arturo? – JH

35. Sergio Ramos

While prone to the odd rush of blood to the head, Ramos's weaknesses shouldn’t overshadow what a top-quality centre-back he is on his day. Quick, strong and a key leader in the Real Madrid dressing room, the 29-year-old has become an icon at the club he joined in 2005.

Occasional recklessness can undermine his performances, and although he may have endured a disappointing European Championship, his partnership with Gerard Pique not proving as solid on the pitch as it looks on paper, the former Sevilla defender still played a vital role in Madrid's 11th European elite club success last season. And things aren't going too badly this term for the Madrid outfit, either, clear at the top of La Liga as they are and with the second-best defence at the time of writing.  

As the '30s approach, Ramos may not be able to play with the same intensity he used to, so a period of adaptation may be necessary for Los Blancos' stalwart at the rear. But judging by his plentiful past successes we don't doubt his continuing at the top level. – DC

34. Gianluigi Buffon

Buffon turns 39 in January, yet age shall not weary him. Even now he's one of the world’s three best goalkeepers, despite being the FFT100’s oldest player by more than three years; old enough to have feasibly sired a dozen of our other entrants (though he probably didn’t).

The veteran insists he’ll retire after the 2018 World Cup. That would be a tremendous shame, especially if Italy aren’t even in it – being in Spain’s group means they may face a play-off.

So if Buffon’s winding down his career, why has he risen eight places in our countdown? Because 2015/16 was among his best-ever seasons. The ex-Parma custodian was hugely influential – the standout player, in fact – in turning Juventus's stuttering campaign into another title triumph. He broke a Serie A record by playing 974 minutes without conceding; it took a penalty to stop him.

And if you think his record-breaking 10 consecutive clean sheets came in easy games, think again: they included 1-0 wins over title rivals Napoli and Roma as well as high-flying Sassuolo and a 2-0 victory over fourth-placed Inter.

Buffon matters. We just have to hope Euro 2016 wasn’t his Azzurri swansong. – H. Davies

Next: Tottenham, Manchester City and Manchester United stars