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Many have criticized the Ballon d'Or jury for giving the award to Luka Modric this year, but that is perhaps undermining the importance of creative players. Playmakers and creative players are the driving force of their respective teams. Without them, every team would find it difficult to break down the opposition.
There are many quality creative players on display in big events such as the Champions League. The goalscorers take much of the attention but these chance creators deserve recognition as well.
On that note, let's take a look at three of the most creative players in the Champions League so far this season:
#1 Lorenzo Pellegrini
Lorenzo Pellegrini is one of the most sought-after talents in Europe today. He has been a fundamental player for AS Roma in the last two seasons.
The Italian is already becoming one of the best playmakers in Serie A at just 22 years of age, creating an average of 2.7 key passes and contributing 3 assists in the league.
Now Pellegrini is taking his talent to another level by becoming the player with the most key passes in the Champions League. The Italian talent has been able to amass 3.8 key passes per game and has assisted 3 in just 5 appearances in the competition.
#2 Toni Kroos
No one can argue about Toni Kroos’s creativity. The Real Madrid maestro is regarded by many to be one of the best midfielders in the world.
This season has been no different as Kroos has maintained his excellent passing technique. The midfielder has completed more than 90 percent of his passes and created numerous chances for his teammates.
The 29-year-old is also masterminding Madrid’s Champions League run, amassing 3.7 key passes per game and delivering 95.3 percent of his passes. Perhaps no one in the Champions League can best Kroos in terms of passing accuracy and chance creation.
#3 Lionel Messi
Many know that Lionel Messi is not just the world’s best goalscorer; the Argentinian also possess excellent playmaking abilities apart from his eye for goals. He has created an average of 3.6 key passes for his team while effecting one assist in his six Champions League appearances.
Perhaps Messi has been a bit unlucky because many of his teammates have not been able to finish off the chances he provides. Luis Suarez is on a goalscoring drought and has not been able to score a single goal in the Champions League so far.
#4 Neymar
Neymar is considered by many as a selfish player who only cares for goals. However, he has proven all of his doubters wrong. The Brazilian is the PSG player with the most key passes in the Champions League this season, creating an average of 3.5 vital passes and also bagging two assists for his teammates.
Neymar is a quick and skillful player who can create many openings for his team, and he is also an excellent playmaker. Now Messi is perhaps still slightly ahead of him in terms of sharpness, but Neymar is younger and has got enough and more scope to improve.
