That followed a 2019-20 campaign in which he scored 55 goals in 47 club matches. He found the back of the net 48 times in 40 total appearances for Bayern and edged Lionel Mess and Cristiano Ronaldo to win his first European Golden Shoe award, given to the top goalscorer on the continent. Lewandowski continued his unbelievable run in the Bundesliga this season, as he scored a ridiculous 41 goals in 29 matches.
Here's what I will say: the 32-year-old Bayern striker may currently be the greatest goal-scorer in the world, and he certainly deserves consideration at the top of this list. I really considered pulling that trigger but. 1 on this list after the year he just had. There is a good argument to be made that Robert Lewandowski should be No. Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich, Poland) During Mbappe's four seasons in Paris, PSG has lifted 10 trophies, including three Ligue 1 championships.įC Bayern Muenchen v FC Augsburg - Bundesliga / Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images 3. He's been named to four straight Ligue 1 Teams of the Year and has been named to the Champions League Squad of the Season in both 20. He had 42 goals in 47 total appearances on his way to his second consecutive Ligue 1 Player of the Year award (20, it was not awarded in 2020). Mbappe finished the 2020-21 season scoring 27 goals in 31 matches for PSG, leading Ligue 1 by a mile.
Since then he's lived up to the hype that followed his performance in Russia. Mbappe stormed onto the soccer scene at the 2018 World Cup, bagging four goals as France hoisted the trophy.
In fact, the 22-year-old has a legitimate chance to win the Ballon d'Or in 2021 if his form continues. Kylian Mbappe is a goal-scoring whirlwind who keeps getting better. Paris Saint-Germain v AS Monaco - French Cup Final / John Berry/Getty Images Best Soccer Players in the World 2021 5. He's also found the back of the net 64 times in 103 caps for Brazil. In 68 league matches for PSG he's nabbed 55 goals, after scoring 68 in 123 matches for Barcelona. His dribbling skill is still unmatched the world over and he remains a prolific goal scorer. A playmaking striker and winger, the 28-year-old is flat-out electric with the ball at his feet. Yes, he's known for flopping a lot when tackled, and has struggled with injuries, but he has a level of skill few footballers have ever matched. Possibly the most hyped youth player in history, Neymar has largely lived up to the billing as a game-changer. Neymar only made 17 league appearances, scoring nine goals, but his otherworldly skill lands him on this list as at any point he can be the most entertaining player in the world. PSG as a whole had an underwhelming campaign as Lille took home the Ligue 1 title. Neymar had a disappointing season just as he finally appeared to be putting his incredible ball skills to use and being productive in a team setting. Stade Brestois v Paris Saint-Germain - Ligue 1 / Xavier Laine/Getty Images 8. Unfortunately, he only made five league appearances during the 2020-21 campaign after an ACL injury back in October. He's excellent on set pieces and has 13 goals in his four Premier League seasons. And, perhaps more than other central defenders, he engages in the attack often. His tackling and timing on the ground and in the air set him apart. He's fast, a technical marvel, excellent with his ball-placement and is one of the best ball-challengers in the world. Since joining The Reds in 2018, the 29-year-old Van Dijk has been a rock at the back. Along with Sadio Mane (see below) and Mohamed Salah, the Dutchman has been a key part of Liverpool's turnaround in top flight competition. While Manchester City's Ruben Dias has entered the fray and won the FWA Footballer of the Year Award for the 2020-21 Premier League season, Van Dijk still holds the edge for me. Virgil Van Dijk is, quite simply, the best centre back in the world right now. Aston Villa v Liverpool - Premier League / Marc Atkins/Getty Images 9.