Methodology

GVPR stands for Goalden View Popularity Ranking - it's the name of the periodically updating popularity ranking of footballers.

Popularity typically refers to the state or condition of being well-liked, widely recognized, or frequently observed within a particular context or among a specific group of people. It often involves garnering attention, admiration, or approval from others, resulting in greater visibility or social recognition. Popularity in football transcends recognition; it embodies a global cultural force. While assumed to be directly correlated to their performance or athleticism, footballers' popularity is far more intricate. It encompasses their massive fan base, media coverage, global impact, iconic status, economic significance, community involvement, club rivalries, and public personas. Recognized and celebrated on and off the field, these players shape trends, inspire passion, and unite cultures worldwide.

Given the subjective nature of popularity, creating a completely accurate ranking poses a formidable (perhaps impossible) challenge. At Goalden View, we collaborate with esteemed minds from top academic institutions - including Princeton, Stanford, Cambridge, Northwestern, Sorbonne University and the Technion. Employing qualitative and quantitative methods, we gather massive amounts of data from a plethora of sources. While we cannot disclose all of our sources, these span from a variety of social media platforms to hundreds of thousands of news outlets from all around the globe, ensuring we are covering the perceptions, sentiment and esteem of footballers in as many realms as possible. We then calculate the popularity score using our proprietary GVPR algorithm to produce a live ranking, which we publish periodically. Despite the difficulty in achieving an exact ranking, our goal is to provide the closest possible approximation.

A dynamic measure, popularity reflects the value players hold beyond their on-field performance. Delving into this value, particularly through rankings or assessments, appeals to diverse audiences. Enthusiastic football fans seek insights into their beloved players' acclaim, analysts aim to assess broader player influence, and marketers target influential figures for endorsements. Sociocultural researchers explore sports icons' impact on societies. Moreover, this information holds significant relevance for players' professional circles—clubs, agents, and commercial partners—whose fortunes are intertwined with players' popularity shifts. Additionally, media entities engaged in sports coverage benefit from understanding the factors shaping a player's popularity, enabling more engaging content creation.