Werder Bremen defender Per Mertesacher (pictured) had a huge performance yesterday, scoring the 2nd goal in his side’s 2:0 home win over 1899 Hoffenheim. He earned approximately 12 points in the FTBL system to move just a sliver from leader in the world ranking of defenders Barcelona’s Carles Puyol.

The Germany international now has an overall FTBL rating of 128.18 points, to Puyol’s 129.7.

That gap could close even further by tomorrow, as the Barcelona – Espanyol game, in which Puyol earned 0.7 rating points, will be dropped form his Last 5, meaning he will lose that amount of rating points.

Mertesacher will therefore move to within less than a rating point from leader Puyol from October 19.