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Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have been the two GOATs (Greatest of all time) of football for a long period now. The two have been brutally dominant in the football world courtesy of their spectacular performances time and again.
Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi share 12 Ballon d'Or trophies between them. Since 2008, only once have either of the two failed to win it, which speaks volumes of how great they have been on the pitch.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi rule the football world
While it has been a pleasure to see both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi play, there are other players who have done consistently well. Unfortunately, the standards set by the two GOATs of football are so high that some valuable contributions have gone unnoticed.
Many footballers deserve more recognition and it is likely that they shall get it once both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi retire. On that note, let's take a look at the best players in the game right now apart from these two legends.
#10 Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)
The Tottenham Hotspur striker has been a wonderful goal-scorer in the Premier League. Having scored 166 goals in 255 league appearances so far is truly a great achievement by Harry Kane.
It is unfortunate that he hasn't won any silverware despite his superb performances for Spurs. Although Kane has struggled to score this season, there is no doubt when it comes to his positioning in the box and clinical finishing abilities.
The English captain surely deserves to win more accolades in his football career. A transfer to a bigger club is more likely to help him achieve that given Spurs' struggles in the past few years.
#9 Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain)
There was a time when Neymar was considered almost the third best player on the planet when he played for Barcelona. When it comes to dribbling and creating goals, he is still one of the most talented players.
It was surprising when Neymar decided to join Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 but it was expected that he would carry the French club then. He joined the club in a world record fee of €222 million. With his arrival, the team have surely continued to be dominant in Ligue 1. However, it is the Champions League where they have struggled and the Brazilian hasn't been able to be that effective.
Players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have carried their teams in all competitions irrespective of the opposition. Should Neymar be successful in doing that and stay free from injuries, he can surely help himself move up the ladder.
#8 Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Virgil van Dijk's fortunes changed when he signed for Southampton in the Premier League in 2015. The Dutchman was under Liverpool's radar for a long time and was eventually signed by them in 2017.
Since then, Virgil van Dijk has never had to look back on his career. With his strong and commanding presence at the back, the Dutch centre-back has been a difficult man to beat. He was unlucky not to win the Ballon d'Or in 2019, only to lose it to the great Lionel Messi. He will also have the opportunity to face Cristiano Ronaldo more as the Portuguese in the Premier League now.
The former Southampton defender is arguably one of the best defenders in the world right now. Virgil van Dijk's role at Liverpool could bring more success to both the club and the player.
#7 Luis Suarez (Atletico Madrid)
Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi faced some strong goal-scoring competition with Luis Suarez in La Liga while all three of them played in Spain. It was truly a delightful time to watch the game back then.
Although his image has been damaged by some of his on-the-pitch antics, Suarez remains one of the most clinical finishers in the game right now. The Uruguayan had a stunning time at Barcelona, scoring 192 goals across all competitions in just 281 appearances.
Since signing for Atletico Madrid in 2020, Suarez has continued his good form. He played a vital role in the Indians winning the La Liga in the 2020-21 season. He scored 21 goals in 32 matches in the league last season.
His consistent goal-scoring record surely makes him one of the best players in the world right now.
#6 Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
There aren't many midfielders in the world who are as technically sound and equipped as Kevin De Bruyne. The Manchester City maestro is one of the most beautiful passers in the game right now.
Kevin De Bruyne moved to the Premier League with the Citizens in 2015. Since then, he has blossomed into one of the league's best midfielders using his terrific vision and amazing passing range. The Belgian can score some stunning long range goals using either of his feet.
Kevin De Bruyne is very capable of dictating the flow of the game from midfield, which is why Pep Guardiola adores him. He may not score as many goals as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi do, but his impact on the pitch is impeccable.
#5 Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain)
The 22-year old is linked with a move to Real Madrid in the near future but remains a Paris Saint-Germain player as of now. With his dynamic game style, Kylian Mbappe is always a threat in attack.
He has blistering pace, amazing dribbling skills and a knack for contributing goals time and again. This has helped Paris Saint-Germain to brutally dominate Ligue 1 in the past few years. Kylian Mbappe is still young and has a very bright future ahead.
If he continues to carry on with the same form and energy, there is no stopping him. He can reach the standards of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the future. Interestingly, Kylian Mbappe idolizes Cristiano Ronaldo and is currently playing alongside Lionel Messi.
#4 Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund)
Speaking of youngsters becoming big players in the future, one just cannot miss Erling Haaland's name. The Norwegian striker has been a deadly monster in front of goal for Borussia Dortmund.
He has a phenomenal goal-scoring record with the German club, scoring 76 goals across all competitions in just 75 appearances. He's just 21 and already looks like a complete striker. Erling Haaland, with his amazing runs and positioning, is a big threat in the box.
No wonder top European clubs are behind his signature from last summer. Erling Haaland is expected to play for a bigger club next season with all the big guns planning to spend big on the Norwegian. With his goal-scoring abilities, he can match up to the standards set by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in front of goal.
#3 Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
Cristiano Ronaldo's friend and Lionel Messi's former rival Karim Benzema is in some prime form this season for Real Madrid. The Frenchman has been with the club for more than a decade now.
Karim Benzema's contributions for Real Madrid just cannot go unnoticed. In his 539 appearances for Los Blancos so far, the French forward has scored 279 goals and recorded 126 assists. It is a fascinating record given the world-class players Real Madrid have had at their disposal. He had a great partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo when the latter played in Spain.
Despite the club's struggles, Benzema has stepped up time and again and been very efficient in front of goal. He has already scored 18 goals this season in 21 appearances across all competitions.
Even at the age of 34, Karim Benzema is going strong and helping Real Madrid to strongly challenge for silverware. Considering his contributions over the years, the Frenchman deserves to be considered to be included in the list of best players.
#2 Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
Robert Lewandowski has been heavily under-appreciated because of the presence of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The Polish striker has done a fabulous job in front of goal since his Borussia Dortmund days,
His form has only improved since moving to Bayern Munich in 2014. Robert Lewandowski has scored 322 goals across all competitions in 352 appearances for the Bavarian club. With a goal contribution ratio of 1.14, he has been scoring or assisting a goal every match.
It is certainly a fantastic record and is surely at par with the standards set by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. It is really unfortunate that Robert Lewandowski has failed to win a Ballon d'Or award to date. Given his contributions, the Polishman does deserve one.
#1 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Mohamed Salah has been a blessing for Liverpool ever since he joined them in the summer of 2017 from Roma. With his sweet left foot and superb attacking abilities, the Egyptian has been a delight to watch in the Premier League.
The dynamic right winger has great pace, mind-boggling dribbling skills and a brilliant ability to find goals at regular intervals. Mohamed Salah has been almost unstoppable this season as he has scored goals left, right and center.
The Egyptian has scored 22 goals and recorded nine assists in 23 appearances across all competitions this season. With the form Mohamed Salah is in, it is very likely that he will end up with a better season than both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
