'%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)
The race to the top in all of Europe's top 5 leagues has been nothing short of enthralling this season. From Paris Saint-Germain getting knocked out of the French league cup by minnows Guingamp, to fan favorites Juventus being shown the exit door at the Coppa Italia by Atalanta, there has been no dearth of suspense or surprise.
Smaller clubs have been playing a fearless brand of football against table toppers, and in many cases have pulled off the upset.
The LaLiga has been as competitive as ever, with the table being open for anyone to suddenly surge up. Whilst Real Madrid are slowly recovering from the shocking departure of their talisman, Barcelona haven't had things easy either.
On the other hand, minnows like Deportivo Alaves and Real Betis are showing huge signs of promise.
The Bundesliga has been equally captivating, with Borussia Dortmund exceeding expectations to trump over Bayern Munich. While Bayern are still plotting a highly unlikely return to the top, their aging squad isn't permitting them to do so.
The Premier League too has been interesting, with favorites Manchester City facing a tight race against Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool, who squandered a 9 point lead due to a sudden set of disappointing results.
Given the high competition all across Europe, let's have a look at the 5 players who have been the most influential for their clubs at the domestic level so far:
5) Marco Reus
Borrusia Dortmund have been in fiery form this season, and one of the main factors for this sudden success is their skipper, Marco Reus. The German international has suddenly found a rejuvenated role under Lucien Favre at the attacking midfield position, one that he himself considers his favorite.
Reus has led from the front, scoring 13 goals and assisting 6 times in just 19 appearances in the league. He has also been one of the creators-in-chief for Dortmund, with an average of 1.4 key passes and 2.7 shots per game.
Reus has also helped out defensively, with an average of 1.4 tackles and clearances per game. As the captain, he seems to be leading Dortmund to a 9th German League title.
4. Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard's market value is increasing day by day, and as the upward curve continues, it seems his eyes are turning towards Real Madrid. Considered by many to be too good for Chelsea, Hazard continues to show why so many clubs are lining up to get his signature.
His dribbling is considered second only to Lionel Messi, and his statistics show exactly why Chelsea don't want to let go of him.
Hazard has scored 10 goals and has an astounding 10 assists with just 24 games played so far. He has chipped in with an average of 2.7 key passes per game, and 3.3 successful dribbles.
He has also provided 2.9 long balls per match, and has been named MoTM 9 times out of the 21 games he has played. Hazard currently sits 5th in the race for the English Golden Boot.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo
Juventus were involved in the most shocking transfer of the summer window, as they snatched Cristiano Ronaldo from right under Real Madrid's noses in a deal worth 112m euros. And Ronaldo hasn't failed to deliver.
He initially struggled in his first few matches, which is natural for any player changing leagues. But he has caught up and has done so in some fashion.
Ronaldo currently leads the race to the Italian Golden Boot, which is not an easy task by any means for a player who is 34 years old.
The goalscoring machine has stacked up a whopping 17 goals in just 21 starts, and has scored decisive goals in other competitions as well, most notably in the Italian Super Cup. He also has 7 Man of the Match awards, which means he has been the best player on the pitch 33% of the times he has played this season.
Not only that, he also has managed to provide 6 assists, and has a whopping average of 6.5 shots on goal per match.
2. Kylian Mbappe
20-year-old World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe has continued his fine run of form into the domestic league as well. His lighting-quick pace combined with his skills have fetched him an incredible 18 goals in just 16 appearances.
His goals per game ratio of 1.13 speaks volumes about his potential, and it is not surprising that he has been touted as the future of football after the Messi-Ronaldo era.
The Ligue 1 may not be as competitive as the rest of the leagues, but in addition to his domestic goalscoring feats, Mbappe also sits second in the race to the European Golden Boot.
He has also provided 6 assists at PSG this season, and has 4.1 shots per game this season. With Neymar out with a long term injury, it remains to be seen if Mbappe takes up the reins at PSG to maneuver them past the rejuvenated Manchester United in the Round of 16 of the UCL.
1. Lionel Messi
Love him, hate him, ignore him, but Lionel Messi continues to prove why he is arguably considered one of the greatest footballers ever to have graced the pitch. Frustrated to see arch-rivals Real Madrid winning the Champions League three times in a row, he seems to have pledged to win it this time around.
The fifth best player in the world (according to France Football) has scored a jaw-dropping 21 goals and provided 10 assists in just 18 starts in the season. He leads the race to the European Golden Boot once again, and has largely inspired Barcelona to a sensational start to the season across all competitions.
The fact that his statistics are so good despite him being out for three weeks with a fractured arm is just ridiculous. He also has 3.9 dribbles per game, and a whopping 3 key passes per game.
Messi also has 4.9 shots per game and has won 10 Man of the Match awards in his 18 starts.
