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#3 Wissam Ben Yedder - AS Monaco
Wissam Ben Yedder was one of Lionel Messi's competitors during their tenure in La Liga. However, the veteran centre-forward is enjoying a better individual season than Messi in Ligue 1 this campaign, despite playing in a relatively weaker team.
Yedder is quintessentially underrated as a striker, but he has stepped up for AS Monaco this campaign. With eight goals and two assists in the French top flight, the 31-year-old is high up in the league's goalscoring charts.
Ben Yedder has shown immense consistency, and remains the main driving force for a low=flying AS Monaco side. Monaco have scored 23 goals in 16 Ligue 1 games so far, with the French forward contributing almost half of them. Messi is yet to match the kind of impact Ben Yedder has had for his club thus far.
#2 Jonathan David - LOSC Lille
Lille forward Jonathan David is the most prolific goalscorer in Ligue 1 at the moment. The Canadian is not just ahead of Lionel Messi, but everyone else in the goalscoring charts, with 11 goals in 17 games this season.
With a knack of being in the right place at the right time, David has proved his efficiency in the final third. The 21-year-old played a key role in Lille's triumphant Ligue 1 campaign last season, and seems to have stepped up a notch this season.
David has been praised for his all-round game, as he can operate in multiple positions in attack. Messi could have a difficult time matching David's tally if the youngster keeps up his sensational form.
#1 Kylian Mbappe
Unlike his compatriot Lionel Messi, PSG winger Kylian Mbappe has been the main man for his club. The French youngster has been a prime reason for the Ligue 1 giants staying atop the league table at the moment. His consistently powerful displays on the pitch have propelled PSG to a 13-point lead atop the table.
Despite the presence of Neymar and Messi, Mbappe has been the talisman for PSG in front of goal. The 22-year-old has racked up seven goals in 15 league appearances, and has also provided seven assists.
A serial winner of the Ligue 1 Golden Boot, Mbappe is a strong candidate to claim the award again. He is also the team's best creator, comfortably outshining Messi this campaign.
