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Lionel Messi has navigated a very underwhelming start to the 2021-22 season by his own lofty standards. He has failed to hit the ground running at Paris Saint-Germain. Although he has turned in a few impressive performances in the Champions League, Messi's form in Ligue 1 has been concerning.
Can Lionel Messi turn things around in 2022?
Lionel Messi won a record seventh Ballon d'Or in late November. It came to him largely thanks to his exploits up until the summer. As we all know, form is temporary and class is permanent and we're definitely banking on Messi's ability to turn things around.
However, there are several players now who have been in sublime form this season. Without further ado, let's take a look at five players who could have a better 2022 than Lionel Messi.
#6 Mohamed Salah (Egypt/Liverpool)
Mohamed Salah has simply been phenomenal for Liverpool in the first half of the 2021-22 season. The Egyptian international has been in sensational form for the Merseysiders and has been scoring and setting up goals on a regular basis.
He has already scored 23 goals and racked up nine assists in 26 appearances across all competitions for Liverpool this term. Salah has taken his game up a notch this campaign and has been a nightmare to defend against.
The 29-year-old has also not shown any signs of slowing down. He is currently with the Egyptian national team for the African Cup of Nations. Egypt are the most successful nation in the history of the tournament and this could really be Salah's year.
#5 Erling Haaland (Norway/Borussia Dortmund)
One of those players tipped to be a future Ballon d'Or winner, Erling Haaland is one of the finest strikers in the world. He is only 21-years-old and is the most sought-after centre-forward on the planet right now.
The Norwegian international just can't seem to stop scoring. He has scored 19 goals and provided six assists in just 17 appearances across all competitions for Borussia Dortmund this season.
Haaland's athleticism, shooting range and ball-carrying abilities make him a world-class marksman. He is tipped to become one of the frontrunners for the Ballon d'Or award this year.
Haaland might not be able to win much silverware this year. He is expected to secure a move to one of Europe's top clubs and once that happens, there might just be no stopping him.
#4 Vinicius Jr. (Brazil/Real Madrid)
Vinicius Jr. has been one of the stars of the 2021-22 season. The Brazilian international has dug his heels in and improved his game immensely. Vinicius has been unstoppable on his day and he has had quite a lot of them this season.
He has formed a deadly attacking partnership with Karim Benzema and the pair have been tearing it up for Real Madrid in the league and in Europe. Vinicius Jr. has scored 15 goals and provided nine assists in 27 appearances across all competitions for Los Blancos this term.
The form he is in, he is expected to ease the load on Neymar Jr. at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Vinicius is undoubtedly going to be one of the stars of 2022.
#3 Karim Benzema (France/Real Madrid)
Karim Benzema has burgeoned into one of the best strikers in the world at Real Madrid in the post-Cristiano Ronaldo era. The Frenchman is one of the most well-rounded forwards in the world and his playmaking skills are on par with his finishing.
Benzema has also earned his place back in the French national side. He will be their first-choice striker at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Les Bleus are the favorites heading into the competition.
The 34-year-old has scored 23 goals and provided nine assists in 26 appearances across all competitions. He is in fine form and if he continues like this, he is very likely to have a better 2022 than Lionel Messi.
#2 Kylian Mbappe (France/Paris Saint-Germain)
Lionel Messi's club teammate Kylian Mbappe has been the leading light for PSG this term. With Neymar and Messi underperforming in the first half of the season, the Ligue 1 outfit have had to rely on Mbappe. As usual, the Frenchman has delivered lavishly.
Mbappe has been in fine form this season. He has scored 18 goals and provided 15 assists for PSG in 26 appearances across all competitions this term. The Frenchman will be looking forward to making an impact at the 2022 FIFA World Cup with France.
The way things have gone so far this season, it does look like Mbappe will have a better 2022 than Messi.
#1 Robert Lewandowski (Poland/Bayern Munich)
Bayern Munich goalscoring machine Robert Lewandowski was one of the favorites to win the 2021 Ballon d'Or. However, he fell short but a large section of football fans believe he should have pipped Messi to football's most prestigious individual honour.
Lewandowski has been up to his usual tricks once again. He looks set to have yet another wonderful season in terms of goalscoring. The 33-year-old has scored 31 goals and provided three assists in 26 appearances across all competitions for the Bavarians already this term.
Lewandowski has been scoring at more than a goal per game for several years now. He seems to be operating at the peak of his powers despite being on the wrong side of 30.
