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We're in the final international break of 2021and players have left their clubs to join their national teams. There's a lot of World Cup Qualifier action set to happen over the next couple of weeks. After that, club football will return in full swing as we head into the holiday season.
Nearly a fourth of the 2021-22 season has been played in all of Europe's top 5 leagues. We already have a fair idea of how the season might shape up as it progresses. Some of the best players in the world have lived up to their reputations while some are yet to hit their stride.
With at least 11 gameweeks done with in Europe's top five leagues, now is a good time to take a look at the most consistent and best performing players. The number of man-of-the-match awards a player has won is a good measure of that.
Without further ado, let's take a look at five players with the most man-of-the-match awards in 2021-22.
(Data courtesy: WhoScored.com)
Honourable mentions: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) and Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain)
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are two players who have dominated the lists in recent years. But both players are on the wrong side of 30 now and they are certainly not at the peak of their powers. Messi topped the chart for most man-of-the-match awards last term with 22 to his name.
The Argentine is yet to win a man-of-the-match award in Ligue 1 after joining PSG in the summer. Cristiano Ronaldo joined Manchester United in the summer and has won two man-of-the-match awards in the Premier League so far.
#5 Iker Muniain (Athletic Bilbao) - 4 man of the match awards
Athletic Bilbao winger Iker Muniain has been in great form this term. He has started each of Athletic's 12 matches so far this season and has been a creative mastermind in attack for Marcelino Garcia's side.
Muniain has created 43 chances so far in the 2021-22 La Liga season and that's the most for any player across all of Europe's top 5 leagues. He has scored two goals and provided three assists and has won four man-of-the-match awards as well.
He scored a stoppage time equalizer a week ago against Real Sociedad in the Basque derby. Munian is very good with the ball at his feet and is also excellent with his movements. His game intelligence is top class and it's no surprise that he is Athletic Bilbao's main man in attack these days.
#4 Teji Savanier (Montpellier) - 4 man of the match awards
Montpellier captain Teji Savanier has been in great form over the past two months. The attacking midfielder is a technically proficient customer with excellent dribbling ability and an eye for a pass.
The Frenchman showcases great timing while playing some lovely well weighted through balls and is one of the best playmakers in Ligue 1 right now. He has scored three goals and provided four assists in 11 appearances across all competitions this term.
The 29-year-old has also picked up four man-of-the-match awards in the 2021-22 season.
#3 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) - 4 man of the match awards
Since he turned 29 this summer, you'd think Mohamed Salah might have just passed his prime. But we couldn't have been more wrong. He has been playing the best football of his life in the 2021-22 season and has simply been unstoppable.
He seems to have taken all of his abilities up a notch. The ball sticks to his feet when he is dribbling in and around the final third and it's nearly impossible to shake him off it. He is extremely accurate with his shooting and hasn't lost any of that pace that has made him one of the best wingers in football in recent times.
Salah's numbers in the 2021-22 season make for great reading. The Egyptian international has scored 15 goals and provided six assists in 15 appearances across all competitions for Liverpool. In the Premier League, he has scored 10 goals and provided six assists in 11 appearances.
Salah has also won four man-of-the-match awards, which is incredible because there is no shortage of exceptional players in that Liverpool lineup.
#2 Lorenzo Pellegrini (AS Roma) - 5 man of the match awards
AS Roma captain Lorenzo Pellegrini has been in great form this season. The 25-year-old Italian international can play in any position across midfield. He has an exceptional passing range and constantly keeps things ticking in the center of the park.
He has the ability to ghost defenders thanks to his deft touches and body feints. Pellegrini also packs a thunderous shot. He has scored five goals and provided two assists in 11 Serie A appearances this term.
He has been AS Roma's most consistent player this season and has already won five man-of-the-match awards this term.
#1 Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) - 5 man of the match awards
Karim Benzema has played some of the best football of his illustrious career this year. He celebrated his call-up to the national side after a gap of six years by scoring four goals in four appearances at Euro 2020. Benzema then scored vital goals in the semi-final and final of the UEFA Nations League as France won the title.
The 33-year-old is one of the most complete strikers of his generation. His playmaking skills are almost on par with his goalscoring. Benzema has been the main man in attack for Real Madrid over the past couple of seasons and it is a responsibility he absolutely relishes.
He has scored 10 goals and provided seven assists in 11 appearances in La Liga this season. Benzema has also picked up a whopping five man-of-the-match awards as well.
