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#3 Karim Benzema (34) - France and Real Madrid
Since Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure to Juventus in the summer of 2018, Karim Benzema has been Real Madrid’s undisputed frontman.
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The Frenchman, who often played second fiddle to the Portuguese, has gracefully embraced the spotlight, producing one match-winning performance after another.
Benzema, who joined Real Madrid from Lyon back in 2009, was not always known for his top-drawer finishing. While playing alongside Ronaldo, the forward missed his fair share of chances, often drawing serious flak from Real Madrid supporters.
But over the last three-and-a-half years, Madridistas have seen him evolve into a new man, one capable of scoring at will.
The 34-year-old has also been an exceptional mentor to the likes of Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, and Eduardo Camavinga. He has formed an enviable partnership with Vinicius, helping the Brazilian youngster be more productive in front of the goal.
Benzema is the leading goalscorer and the second-leading assist-provider in La Liga this season. The France international has 17 goals and seven assists to his name in the Spanish league and is the joint-third in the European Golden Shoe race.
#2 Mohamed Salah (29) - Egypt and Liverpool
Liverpool right-winger Mohamed Salah is the most prolific player in the Premier League right now. The Egypt international has used his pace, ankle-breaking feints and incisive finishing to emerge as the English top-flight’s top scorer with 16 strikes.
Since joining Liverpool from Roma in 2017, he has won a Champions League and a Premier League title amongst other honors with the Reds.
He netted 32 times in the league in his debut season for the Merseysiders, winning the Premier League Golden Boot in the process. The following season, he scored 22 times in the English top-flight and won the Golden Boot for the second successive time.
Salah, who recently inspired Egypt to a place in the AFCON semi-finals, is yet to win the Ballon d’Or. However, if he keeps up the good work, we won’t be surprised to see him up there on the podium soon.
#1 Robert Lewandowski (33) - Poland and Bayern Munich
Arguably the best player in the world, Robert Lewandowski has been at the top of his game over the last three seasons. Much like his Bayern Munich team, Lewandowski is all about efficiency.
He doesn't showboat as the Pole simply slides silently behind enemy lines and hits the back of the net with authority.
In the 2019-20 season, Lewandowski scored a whopping 55 goals in 47 games in all competitions, helping the Bavarians to a record-breaking treble. Courtesy of COVID-19, the Ballon d’Or gala was canceled, and the striker missed out on the opportunity to win his first Golden Ball.
He continued his onslaught last season, but controversially finished behind Lionel Messi in the Ballon d’Or race. FIFA, fortunately, had his back and honored him with The Best Men’s Player award for the second time running in 2022.
Lewandowski has netted 23 times in the Bundesliga this season and is currently leading the European Golden Shoe race with 46 points.
