'%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)
#3 Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
Cristiano Ronaldo's friend and Lionel Messi's former rival Karim Benzema is in some prime form this season for Real Madrid. The Frenchman has been with the club for more than a decade now.
Trending
Karim Benzema's contributions for Real Madrid just cannot go unnoticed. In his 539 appearances for Los Blancos so far, the French forward has scored 279 goals and recorded 126 assists. It is a fascinating record given the world-class players Real Madrid have had at their disposal. He had a great partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo when the latter played in Spain.
Despite the club's struggles, Benzema has stepped up time and again and been very efficient in front of goal. He has already scored 18 goals this season in 21 appearances across all competitions.
Even at the age of 34, Karim Benzema is going strong and helping Real Madrid to strongly challenge for silverware. Considering his contributions over the years, the Frenchman deserves to be considered to be included in the list of best players.
#2 Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
Robert Lewandowski has been heavily under-appreciated because of the presence of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The Polish striker has done a fabulous job in front of goal since his Borussia Dortmund days,
His form has only improved since moving to Bayern Munich in 2014. Robert Lewandowski has scored 322 goals across all competitions in 352 appearances for the Bavarian club. With a goal contribution ratio of 1.14, he has been scoring or assisting a goal every match.
It is certainly a fantastic record and is surely at par with the standards set by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. It is really unfortunate that Robert Lewandowski has failed to win a Ballon d'Or award to date. Given his contributions, the Polishman does deserve one.
#1 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Mohamed Salah has been a blessing for Liverpool ever since he joined them in the summer of 2017 from Roma. With his sweet left foot and superb attacking abilities, the Egyptian has been a delight to watch in the Premier League.
The dynamic right winger has great pace, mind-boggling dribbling skills and a brilliant ability to find goals at regular intervals. Mohamed Salah has been almost unstoppable this season as he has scored goals left, right and center.
The Egyptian has scored 22 goals and recorded nine assists in 23 appearances across all competitions this season. With the form Mohamed Salah is in, it is very likely that he will end up with a better season than both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
