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It has been another incredible season of European Football, particularly in our top leagues. We’ve seen some exciting title races, enthralling Champions League ties, and of course some excellent talent. The Premier League title race between Liverpool and Man City has been particularly incredible, and both sides possess a player in this list.
Central to this fantastic season has been the quality of some of Europe’s top players this season. This article will take an objective look at the top 5 players from around the world this season and what we can expect from them going forward.
With around 2 months left to go this season, we’re sure to see some unique twists and turns the rest of the way. one can almost guarantee that the players on this list will have a huge impact on how this season turns out.
Also see : Women's World Cup 2019, Womens World Cup Schedule, Womens World Cup Standings
#5 Virgil Van Dijk
Whilst Liverpool’s front 3 have rightly grabbed a lot of the headlines, Van Dijk has had another excellent and underrated season. His transfer from Southampton last Winter transformed Liverpool into a strong contender for both the Premier League and Champions League.
The Reds have dealt with several injuries at the back this season, but Van Dijk has remained a constant in their strong defensive performances. He is arguably the most important player in the current side and very likely a future Liverpool captain.
Especially against the top opposing Centre Forwards, Van Dijk’s elite athleticism makes him a fantastic Centre Back. He is outstanding against physical attackers in the air, whilst also possessing the technical ability needed to play out from the back in Jurgen Klopp’s system. If the Reds are to claim a maiden Premier League title this season, you can bet Van Dijk will play a huge role down the stretch.
#4 Neymar
Despite becoming somewhat of a meme off the field, Neymar has still been incredibly productive on it. He has torn Ligue 1 defences to shreds, notching 20 goals in his 23 appearances.
The argument of only being productive in an uncompetitive league doesn’t apply to Neymar either as he has proven his quality over multiple seasons in La Liga. 2014-15 and 2015-16 were particularly impressive, as he banged in a combined 70 goals across all competitions.
The one thing that has plagued Neymar since joining Paris is injuries. He played just 20 league matches last season and has only played 20 so far this season. You can make a strong case that his absence cost PSG mightily in their defeat to Man United. If he can get back to full health soon, I expect a huge late season push from the Brazilian wizard.
#3 Raheem Sterling
Despite receiving consistent unwarranted criticism from the British media, Sterling has had a phenomenal season on the field. He has 19 goals in 39 appearances this season, also showing off his passing quality by reaching double-digit assists.
It seems Sterling has reached yet another level after last season’s breakout campaign, where he banged in 23 goals in all competitions. As part of an elite Man City side that is arguably the best side in Europe, Sterling is consistently one of Guardiola’s first names on the team sheet.
His pace and dribbling ability make him a nightmare for opposing fullbacks, whilst his improved goal scoring has significantly improved his one major limitation. Having just turned 24 years old, Sterling is also just about to enter his prime and could be set to dominate the Premier League for years to come. If Man City are able to achieve the unthinkable quadruple this season, you can bet Sterling would’ve had a huge part to play.
#2 Cristiano Ronaldo
Even at age 34, one of the greatest players our sport has ever seen continues to put up some phenomenal statistics. Whilst many thought that changing leagues would prove difficult for Ronaldo, he has again proved doubters wrong en route to another fantastic season.
It’s difficult to improve on the incredible consistency he showed at Real Madrid, banging in 450 goals over his 9 seasons at the Bernabeu. Despite being out of the Domestic Cup, Juventus look very likely to win another Scudetto and potentially claim that elusive Champions League.
CR7 has done a phenomenal job of adapting to a new league, scoring 19 goals in Serie A and 24 in all competitions this season. His Champions League hat-trick against Atletico Madrid was truly phenomenal and highlighted his ability as a big-game player. If he can bring a Champions League to Juve, it only cements his legacy in our sport.
#1 Lionel Messi
Without having to contend with Ronaldo anymore, Messi is having another fantastic season and guiding Barcelona to the top spot in La Liga. He has 39 goals in all competitions this season, including a very impressive 29 in the league in just 26 appearances.
Having formed an incredible combination with Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele up front, Barcelona’s front three is one of the most difficult to contend with in all of Europe. Whilst not necessarily the greatest athlete, Messi’s exceptional skill and technique make him a nightmare for opposing defenders.
Having qualified for the Copa Del Rey Final and with a relatively kind Champions League Quarter Finals draw, Barcelona have a realistic shot at the domestic treble this season. Should they manage to pull it off, it wouldn't take rocket science to know that Messi will be at the centre of it.
