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#3 David Alaba - Austria/Real Madrid
David Alaba, who is one of the most versatile players in the world right now, has been signed by Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer. Alaba is primarily a left-back but has played as part of a back-three for Bayern Munich in recent seasons. He is an excellent defender but his technical ability enables him to play in central midfield as well.
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Alaba, who broke into the Bayern Munich senior team in the 2010-11 season, enjoyed an excellent 11 years in Germany. He has won 10 Bundesliga titles, two UEFA Champions League titles and six DFB Pokals in that time with the Bavarians.
The 29-year-old is at the peak of his powers right now and is certain to improve the Real Madrid side. The Austrian international has also been an influential figure for his national team and has won the Austrian Footballer award seven times in the last 10 years.
#2 Mohamed Salah - Egypt/Liverpool
In recent years, Liverpool have been able to return to the top of European football under Jurgen Klopp's tutelage. The German coach's system and recruitment policies have helped Liverpool build a formidable side replete with some 'mentality monsters'.
Chief among the architects of Liverpool's recent success is Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian international was signed by the Merseysiders in the summer of 2017. Salah was able to impose himself immediately. He broke the record for the most goals scored in a 38-game Premier League season in his debut campaign, with 32 goals.
Salah also guided Liverpool to the Champions League final but was forced off early after suffering an injury. Liverpool lost the final to Real Madrid. But they returned sharper in the 2018-19 season and won the Champions League title. Salah won the Premier League title with Liverpool in the 2019-20 season.
He has been their most important player over the last four seasons and has been stacking up incredible numbers. The 29-year-old finished the 2020-21 season with 31 goals and six assists from 51 appearances.
#1 Lionel Messi - Argentina/Barcelona
There couldn't possibly have been any doubts regarding who was going to top the list. Lionel Messi is arguably the greatest footballer of all time and he continues to mesmerize us at the age of 34.
Messi's past exploits have been well documented and he is a record six-time Ballon d'Or winner. Barcelona have been over-reliant on him in recent times but the Argentine has been able to deliver despite all the pressure.
The 34-year-old is still incredible with the ball at his feet. He flits past defenders with his deft touches and burst of pace and scores goals from anywhere he wants in the final third.
Messi scored 38 goals and provided 14 assists across all competitions for Barcelona in the 2020-21 season. He has scored a whopping 745 goals and provided 356 assists in 925 professional matches in his career. Those numbers might never, ever be bettered.
