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#3 Dusan Vlahovic (Serbia/Fiorentina)
Serbia have pulled off a major upset by finishing atop their 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifying group and condemning Portugal to the playoffs. Crucial to their exploits is young striker Dusan Vlahovic, who scored four goals in eight appearances in the qualifiers.
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Vlahovic was absolutely sensational for Fiorentina in 2021. He equalled Cristiano Ronaldo's record for most goals scored in Serie A in a single calendar year (33). The 21-year-old is currently being monitored by several European giants and is likely to leave Fiorentina in the summer.
Vlahovic has scored 19 goals and provided three assists in 23 appearances across all competitions for the Serie A outfit this term. He is a well-rounded striker already and is a menacing presence in the final third. If he can keep his goalscoring rate up, sky is the limit for Serb.
#2 Thomas Muller (Germany/Bayern Munich)
Thomas Muller is 32-years-old now but he seems to be going from strength to strength. The world's best second striker has proven to be a handful to deal with in the attacking realms alongside Robert Lewandowski for Bayern Munich.
Muller is one of the most intelligent footballers on the planet. He understands space and ways to manipulate it better than most forwards on the planet. The German international is constantly on the move, either running into space or opening it up for a teammate.
Muller is currently the assist king of Europe. He has scored eight goals and has already provided 18 assists in 27 appearances across all competitions for Bayern Munich this term. Bayern Munich have looked dominant in the Champions League and are one of the favorites to go on and win it.
If Muller can kick on in the same vein, he'll definitely be a top contender for the Ballon d'Or award in 2022.
#1 Vinicius Jr. (Brazil/Real Madrid)
Who has been the most improved player in the 2021-22 season? The answer is easy. Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr.
In the 2020-21 season, Vinicius Jr. scored six goals and provided seven assists in 49 appearances across all competitions. In 27 appearances across all competitions for Real Madrid in the 2021-22 season so far, he has already scored 15 goals and provided nine assists.
The Brazilian international has simply been unstoppable this season. He is one of the best dribblers in the world and his finishing has improved massively this term. Karim Benzema and Vinicius are the deadliest attacking duo in the world of football right now.
For long there have been doubts as to whether or not Vinicius might be able to double down on his strengths and maximize his potential. His performances this season are a testament to the fact that he can.
He has been so good this season that he can't, for much longer, even be considered a darkhorse in the race for the Ballon d'Or award. Vinicius might just become the favorite pretty soon.
