'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#7 Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund/Norway)
It is scary to think that Erling Haaland is still only 21. One of the best finishers in world football, Haaland's goalscoring record is absolutely extraordinary for Borussia Dortmund.
Having signed for the Bundesliga giants in the 2019/20 season, Haaland has scored an incredible 76 goals in his 74 appearances so far and is showing no signs of slowing down.
The Norwegian goalscoring sensation has already scored 13 goals in 11 Bundesliga appearances this season. Seen as the game's next big global superstar, Haaland's future has been subject to intense speculation in the last few months.
It will be interesting to see how 2022 pans out for the young phenomenon.
#6 Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus/Manchester United/Portugal)
Ever since Ralf Rangnick took over at Manchester United, there has been a lot of debate about Cristiano Ronaldo's role at the club. However, there is no denying the fact that the Portuguese superstar guarantees goals.
The 5-time Ballon d'Or winner might be showing some slight signs of decline, but he still finished as Juventus' top scorer in the 2020/21 season, won the Euro 2020 golden boot and is currently the top scorer for Manchester United this season.
Still decisive, Ronaldo scored plenty of crucial goals this year and almost singlehandedly dragged Manchester United into the knockout stages of this season's UEFA Champions League.
Age is just a number for Cristiano Ronaldo and one of the greatest footballers of all time will be determined to prove his critics wrong and have a great calendar year in 2022.
#5 Kylian Mbappe (PSG/France)
23-year-old Kylian Mbappe is already one of the best players in the world and it only seems like a matter of time before he gets his hand on the Ballon d'Or award. Known for his electric pace and brilliant finishing skills, Mbappe did not have the best of times at Euro 2020.
However, the PSG superstar bounced back in style, inspiring France to the UEFA Nations League title with some stunning displays. Mbappe has undoubtedly been PSG's best player so far this season. The pacy Frenchman has 9 goals and 8 assists in 17 Ligue 1 appearances and has a further 4 goals and 4 assists in 6 UCL appearances.
Encouragingly, Mbappe seems to have formed a good relationship with Lionel Messi and it will be interesting to see how they combine together when PSG face off against Real Madrid in the UCL next year.
#4 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool/Egypt)
One of the early favorites for the 2022 Ballon d'Or, Mohamed Salah has been in fine form for Liverpool throughout 2021. One of the most consistent and brilliant players in the world, Salah is capable of scoring all types of goals and is arguably the most complete forward in the Premier League at the moment.
Blessed with pace and a knack for always being in the right place at the right time, Salah's dribbling and playmaking skills have also greatly improved this year. Not only is the 'Egytian King' a supreme goalscorer, he is also great at setting up goals and already has 9 assists in the Premier League this season.
With AFCON coming up, Salah will be determined to win some major honors with both club and country in 2022.
