Goal's Middle East and North Africa experts have put together a list of the footballers who impressed most over the last 12 months
Since 2008, Goal has been presenting the Goal 50 prize for the best player of the year to stars like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski.
And in 2017, Goal launched Goal 25, ranking the best 25 Arab players of the year.
For the last three years, it was Mohamed Salah who dominated, although he faced stiff competition from the likes of Riyad Mahrez and Hakim Ziyech.
This year, our experts on the Arabic language editions voted once again for the best 25 players of 2020 from 21 clubs, nine leagues and five countries.
Morocco (12 players) were the best-represented country and the Premier League (seven players) the best-represented league. Below you can find the full list including the winner for 2020.
Goal25Yunis Abdelhamid | Stade de Reims | Morocco
Stade de Reims captain Yunis Abdelhamid was one of the main reasons why they ended up sixth in Ligue 1 last season, playing every single minute of his team's matches before the league was brought to an early end.
Reaching the Coupe de la Ligue semi-final was another highlight for the 33-year-old. And while he missed only two matches this season, David Guion's team couldn't manage to maintain the same level from last season – they are currently outside the top 10 in Ligue 1.
AdvertisementGoal24Yasser Al-Shahrani | Al-Hilal | Saudi Arabia
Flying left-back Yasser Al-Shahrani continued to impress with Al-Hilal last year, proving that he can play on the right flank as well for his coach Razvan Lucescu.
He missed only five games in the Saudi Pro League last season, helping his team to win the title. He was solid against Al-Nassr in the Saudi King's Cup final to achieve the domestic double in 2020.
Al-Shahrani also missed only three matches this season until now as Al-Hilal stay top of the league table. With six assists in 33 matches, the 28-year-old is arguably the best full-back Saudi Arabia have.
Goal23Munir El-Haddadi | Sevilla | Morocco
Sevilla coach Julen Lopetegui has been relying on versatile forward Munir El-Haddadi to play in all attacking positions 2020, as the 25-year-old rediscovered his form, playing a huge role in the Europa League success with five goals in nine matches.
Munir is trying to switch his international allegiance after one single match with Spain national team in 2014, after he managed to score six goals and provide three assists in 33 matches last year.
Goal22Youssef El-Arabi | Olympiacos | Morocco
Being the 2019-20 Super League Greece top scorer by 17 goals is proof of how untouchable Youssef El-Arabi has been for Olympiacos, who won the domestic double last season.
Arsenal experienced how decisive El-Arabi can be when he scored the 119-minute goal in the Europa League round-of-32 second leg match to knock Mikel Arteta's team out.
The former Al-Hilal and Al-Duhail star scored 25 goals and bagged five assists in 45 matches during 2020, and the Moroccan striker is showing no intentions to slow down after he scored another three goals in the first three matches in 2021.