'%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)
Ligue 1 is one of the most competitive and high-profile club competitions in Europe. The French top-flight has grown in prominence in recent years. In what was commonly touted as a league that is utterly dominated by Paris Saint-Germain, we had a surprise winner last season.
Lille pipped PSG to the Ligue 1 title in the 2020-21 season. There were a raft of exceptional individual performers last term which included some of the usual suspects as well.
Ligue 1 is home to some of the biggest names in the world of football
With Lionel Messi arriving at the Parc des Princes in the summer, Ligue 1 has become quite high-profile. Consequently, PSG have become more of a force to be reckoned with in the 2021-22 season. They currently sit at the top of the league table with a 13-point lead.
Without further ado, let's take a look at five of the best players in Ligue 1 in 2021.
#5 Neymar Jr. (Paris Saint-Germain)
Neymar Jr. is a player you'd expect to find at the top of this list. However, the Brazilian has had a rather underwhelming year by his own lofty standards. He has had multiple injury issues to deal with this year.
But the 29-year-old has also been nearly unplayable whenever he's been in the mood. Neymar Jr. scored nine goals and provided five assists in 18 Ligue 1 appearances last term.
The Brazilian international is a joy to watch on the football pitch. He is one of the most exciting players with the ball at his feet. Neymar loves making jinking runs and slaloms past defenders with ease thanks to his quick-feet and intelligence.
He is one of the most technically gifted footballers of his generation. However, Neymar Jr. hasn't been at his best this term. Although he has scored three goals and provided three assists in 10 appearances, he hasn't been able to exert his authority over games.
But has still showcased enough quality this year to warrant a place on this list.
#4 Burak Yilmaz (Lille)
36-year-old Turkish striker Burak Yilmaz was a standout performer for Lille in their triumphant 2020-21 Ligue 1 campaign. He scored 16 goals and provided five assists in 28 appearances in the league last term as his side pipped perennial winners PSG to the Ligue 1 title.
Yilmaz is a technically proficient player who has a lot of qualities in addition to his clinical finishing. The Turkish international joined Lille in August 2020 and has since had a massive impact at the club. He is the captain of the Turkish national football side as well.
He is excellent at testing the goalkeeper from range and is an expert when it comes to free-kicks and other set-pieces. His link-up play in the final third is commendable as well and can be a menacing presence up top when he's in his zone.
Yilmaz is yet to properly kick into gear this term but he has still scored four goals and provided three assists in 17 Ligue 1 appearances.
#3 Sven Botman (Lille)
Young Dutch centre-back Sven Botsman was one of the heroes of Lille's Ligue 1 triumph in the 2020-21 season. The 21-year-old started 37 of the 38 league games last term and played a massive role in Lille keeping the best defensive record in the league.
At 193 cms tall, Botman is quite dominant in aerial duels. He is also pretty good with the ball at his feet and his distribution skills have helped Lille play out from the back to great effect. His focus and calmness belie his age and he is not one to rush into a reckless tackle.
Botman garnered a lot of attention during the summer but he eventually ended up staying at Lille. The Ligue 1 outfit have not been able to replicate their heroics from last season in the ongoing campaign. But thanks to his monstrous performances from last term, Botman deserves a place on this list.
#2 Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain)
Marquinhos has been one of Paris Saint-Germain's most important players in recent years. The Brazilian international is a well-rounded footballer. Primarily a centre-back, Marquinhos can play in midfield too if the need arises thanks to his excellent technical qualities.
The PSG captain is also a threat from set-pieces thanks to aerial ability. The 27-year-old is not the tallest centre-back around. He stands at 183 cms but he is still excellent at aerial duels thanks to his incredible leap.
Marquinhos scored three goals in the league last season and has already matched that tally in the ongoing campaign. He does a great job at recycling possession from deep and is also known for playing some wonderful line breaking passes.
He is arguably the best defender in the French top-flight and it will be interesting to see how well he fares alongside Sergio Ramos.
#1 Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain)
Kylian Mbappe has been the best player in Ligue 1 in 2021 by a country mile. The Frenchman was chosen as Ligue 1 Player of the Year after the 2020-21 season. He is well on course to be a top contender this term as well.
The Frenchman has been in wonderful form in the ongoing season. He has already scored nine goals and provided eight assists in 17 Ligue 1 appearances so far. Mbappe's blistering pace, trickery and expert finishing have made him one of the best attackers in the world.
The 22-year-old scored 27 goals and provided seven assists in 31 Ligue 1 appearances in the 2020-21 season. Mbappe is one of the best dribblers on the planet. His aerial ability is an underrated part of his game and is a constant menace in the final third and a nightmare to defend against.
