The centre-half, who played a pivotal part in Portugal's Euro 2016 triumph, finished 12th in the Goal 50, above the likes of Sergio Ramos, Leonardo Bonucci and Diego Godin
Real Madrid and Portugal ace Pepe is the highest-ranked defender in the 2016 Goal 50.
The 33-year-old centre-half is coming off the back of the most successful summer of his career, helping los Blancos win the Champions League in May before playing a pivotal part in his country's surprise Euro 2016 triumph, turning in a man of the match-winning performance in the final against France.