Who Was the Best Soccer Team in the World 2020? The Definitive Ranking Revealed

As I sit here scrolling through old match highlights, that perennial question pops into my head: Who truly was the best soccer team in the world during that strange, disrupted year of 2020? The answer isn't as straightforward as you might think. While many fans would instinctively point to the Champions League winners, the global pandemic created unprecedented circumstances that make this debate particularly fascinating. Let me walk you through my personal take on this, drawing from my years following the beautiful game across multiple continents.

What criteria determine the "best" team anyway?

This is where we need to start, because without clear parameters, we're just comparing apples and oranges. In my view, the best team should demonstrate consistent excellence across multiple competitions, showcase tactical innovation, and possess that intangible "winning mentality" when it matters most. Statistics matter - possession percentages, goals scored, defensive records - but so does the eye test. Does the team pass the "watchability" factor? Do they make you lean forward in your seat? Unfortunately, it didn't turn out to be that way for many supposedly elite teams in 2020. Some sides that looked dominant in domestic leagues completely faltered when facing international opposition, revealing that their numbers were perhaps inflated by weaker competition.

Did Bayern Munich's Champions League victory settle the debate?

When Bayern Munich demolished Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in the Champions League final on August 23, 2020, completing a perfect campaign with 11 victories, many declared the debate over. And honestly, I was nearly convinced myself. They scored an incredible 43 goals while conceding just 8 throughout the tournament. Robert Lewandowski was absolutely supernatural with 15 goals. The team's high-press system under Hansi Flick was arguably the most sophisticated tactical setup I've seen in a decade. But here's the catch - the Champions League knockout stage was reformatted into a single-elimination tournament in Lisbon, creating unusual circumstances. While Bayern undoubtedly deserved their trophy, the unique format means we can't directly compare their achievement to previous years. Unfortunately, it didn't turn out to be that way - we couldn't see how they would have navigated a traditional two-legged knockout format against some of the other contenders.

What about Liverpool's Premier League dominance?

As a longtime Premier League follower, I have to give Liverpool their due. They ended their 30-year wait for an English title in spectacular fashion, amassing 99 points - the second-highest total in Premier League history. Their 26 wins from the first 27 games was simply breathtaking football. Watching them week in, week out, they had this relentless energy that just overwhelmed opponents. However, their relatively early exits from both the Champions League and FA Cup raised questions about their overall supremacy. When we're asking "Who Was the Best Soccer Team in the World 2020? The Definitive Ranking Revealed," we have to consider performance across all competitions. Unfortunately, it didn't turn out to be that way for Liverpool in cup competitions, which slightly diminishes their claim to the global throne despite their domestic masterclass.

Could Paris Saint-Germain have mounted a stronger claim?

PSG reached their first-ever Champions League final, won the domestic treble in France, and boasted arguably the most fearsome attacking trio in world football with Neymar, Mbappé, and Di María. From a pure talent perspective, they were absolutely stacked. I remember watching their quarterfinal comeback against Atalanta and thinking, "This might be their moment." Their journey to the final included impressive victories against Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig. But here's my reservation - the French league was canceled early due to COVID, meaning they played only 27 league matches compared to the 38+ in other major leagues. Unfortunately, it didn't turn out to be that way for PSG to prove their consistency over a full campaign across all competitions, leaving some doubt about whether they were truly the complete package.

What role did the pandemic play in shaping the outcome?

This is the elephant in the room that we can't ignore. The three-month global shutdown created the most unusual finish to a season in modern football history. Teams had varying rest periods, different preparation times, and faced empty stadiums upon return. As someone who analyzed matches both before and after lockdown, the difference in intensity was palpable. The condensed schedule particularly affected English clubs, while German teams seemed to adapt best to the "new normal." When we're determining "Who Was the Best Soccer Team in the World 2020? The Definitive Ranking Revealed," we have to acknowledge that the pandemic created an uneven playing field. Unfortunately, it didn't turn out to be that way - we never got to see how the season would have unfolded under normal circumstances, which forever leaves this particular year's ranking with an asterisk.

So who actually deserves the crown?

After weighing all these factors - Bayern's European dominance, Liverpool's domestic mastery, PSG's final run, and the pandemic's impact - I'd have to give the edge to Bayern Munich, but with significant caveats. Their Champions League victory was the most impressive single achievement of the year, but the unusual circumstances mean we can't anoint them as definitively as we might in other years. They were the best team in the most important competition, which traditionally decides these debates. Unfortunately, it didn't turn out to be that way for a clear, undisputed champion to emerge across all metrics, but Bayern comes closest based on their historic Champions League campaign.

What does this tell us about evaluating teams in abnormal seasons?

Looking back, 2020 taught me that evaluating football teams requires more nuance than simply looking at trophy cabinets. The pandemic created a unique laboratory where traditional preparation went out the window, and adaptability became the ultimate currency. Teams with deeper squads, more flexible tactical systems, and stronger mental fortitude tended to succeed. Unfortunately, it didn't turn out to be that way for many pre-pandemic favorites who struggled to adapt to the new reality. This experience has permanently changed how I analyze team quality - I now place greater emphasis on squad depth and tactical flexibility than ever before.

So there you have it - my personal take on that complicated year in football. While Bayern Munich likely deserves the title of 2020's best team, the extraordinary circumstances mean we'll always wonder what might have been under normal conditions. What's your take on this debate? I'd love to hear whether you agree with my assessment or if you think another team had a stronger claim to the throne during that most unusual of football years.