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The UEFA Champions League has started in exciting fashion, replete with shock wins to stunning comebacks.
Mediocrity and lacklustre performances have come in the form of clubs like Barcelona, Inter Milan and AC Milan. They have all endured rather miserable starts to their continental campaigns this season. The real shocker, though, has been Sheriff Tiraspol, who currently sit at the top of a group that includes Real Madrid and Inter Milan.
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Ajax, Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Juventus have seen three wins in as many games in their continental campaigns this season. The likes of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Manchester United sit at the top of their respective groups as well. But they have had to deal with some struggles along the way.
Unsurprisingly, the best players so far in this Champions League campaign have come from clubs currently topping their groups. Ajax, Bayern and Liverpool have each scored over ten goals in just three games this season as they look set to continue lighting up their groups. Defensively, they've been brilliant as well, having conceded a combined six goals only.
On that note, here's a look at the five best players in the Champions League this season:
#5 Lionel Messi | Paris Saint-Germain
His first season outside Camp Nou has seen Lionel Messi struggle to replicate his high standards. The Argentine maestro is yet to score a single goal in France's Ligue 1. Critics have argued that it's down to the new environment he has had to adapt to. However, things have been different for Messi in the Champions League.
PSG have scored just six goals in their continental campaign this season, but Messi has scored three of them. His outings in the Champions League have seen the Barcelona legend link up brilliantly with Kylian Mbappe. He has scored the goals that have put his new club at the top of their group. The most notable one was his first goal for PSG, which came in the 2-0 win over Manchester City.
#4 Cristiano Ronaldo | Manchester United
Like PSG, Manchester United have scored only six goals in the Champions League this season, with Cristiano Ronaldo responsible for three of them.
The 36-year-old has enjoyed a fine return to Old Trafford in recent weeks. Though his weekend was marred by the 5-0 mauling United received against Liverpool in the Premier League, Ronaldo's goalscoring exploits have barely dipped.
The Portuguese maestro has clearly raised Manchester United's profile in their continental run this season. The club has scored just six goals and conceded five. Ronaldo's three goals, including an injury-time winner against Villareal, have certainly aided Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team to hold onto a delicate lead in Group F. Ronaldo also scored the winner in the 3-2 win over Atalanta.
While fans will hope that United's leaky defence gets stitched up quickly, Ronaldo's clinical exploits in front of goal might just get them into the knockout stage.
#3 Robert Lewandowski | Bayern Munich
The Bavarian giants are clearly having the time of their lives, especially in the Champions League. Central to their ruthless streak is Polish marksman Robert Lewandowski. Already in strong contention for the prestigious Ballon d'Or award, Lewandowski has been brilliant in front of goal for Bayern Munich across competitions.
Bayern have scored 12 goals in their continental campaign this season, with Lewandowski being responsible for five. The clinical Pole has been a dangerous player in every Champions League game he has played this season.
He scored two against a struggling Barcelona, two against Dynamo Kyiv and once during the Bavarians' 4-0 pummelling of Benfica. Bayern Munich are yet to concede a goal in this season's campaign.
If Lewandowski's prowess in the final third continues, there's a strong chance Bayern will win their seventh Champions League trophy.
#2 Mohamed Salah | Liverpool
Since Jurgen Klopp's emergence at Anfield, the Reds have enjoyed stability and consistency. They have picked up a Champions League trophy and a Premier League title in recent years. However, while Liverpool play their beautiful game as a single, unbreakable unit, Mohamed Salah clearly stands out as the best player in the team.
So far this season, Salah has scored and assisted 20 goals in just 12 games for the Reds. His Champions League outings have been just as scintillating, with the Egyptian international scoring five goals in just three games.
The star is currently on top of his game. After his Premier League hat-trick against Manchester United at Old Trafford during the weekend, Salah could easily become the best player in the world bar none.
#1 Sebastien Haller | Ajax
Perhaps the most unexpected name on this list, but performances do not lie: Sebastien Haller has been the best player in the UEFA Champions League this season.
The competition debutant enjoyed a blistering start to his career in the Eredivisie and Bundesliga. However, after struggling with West Ham in the Premier League, Haller has joined Ajax, and is currently lighting up Europe with his goals.
Haller's performances in the Eredivise have been great, but his output in the Champions League has been nothing short of sublime.
In just three games, the Ajax marksman has scored six goals and assisted two. He scored four goals against Sporting CP to ensure a fine start to Ajax's continental campaign.
Sebastien Haller then backed up that performance with a goal against Besiktas and two assists - and a goal against Borussia Dortmund. The star has become the shining light for the Dutch giants. His brilliance could drive them to mount a strong challenge in the UEFA Champions League this season.
