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The international break provided some exciting moments, but international football cannot match the intensity and quality of club football.
Top-quality players have once again displayed their class, producing some excellent performances since the season began. Some are still finding their feet, but should come good as the season progresses.
There is surely more to come, and many new players will emerge this season with huge potential. Right now, though, the established stars have once more shown why they are revered across the world.
On that note, here's a look at the five most in-form players in the world right now:
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#5 Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is once again under pressure after some poor recent performances and results.
Despite boasting a star-studded squad, United look disjointed. One superstar who has done well is Cristiano Ronaldo, though. The 36-year old returned to Old Trafford this summer amid much fanfare, and he has not disappointed so far. Goals have flown freely from Ronaldo.
The Portugal international has scored five goals in six appearances for United thus far, including the winner against Villarreal in the Champions League. Ronaldo's performances saw him win the Premier League Player of the Month for September. On Saturday, he opened the scoring for Portugal against Qatar.
#4 Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
His performances have been so consistent that no one is surprised nowadays whenever Robert Lewandowski breaks a goalscoring record.
Regarded as one of the best strikers to have played the game, Lewandowski is only getting better with age. The 33-year-old scored 41 league goals last season to break the late Gerd Muller's record of most goals (40) scored in a Bundesliga campaign. This season he has already registered seven in the Bundesliga and four in the Champions League.
Lewandowski was the best player in the world when Bayern Munich won the treble in 2020. He is among the favourites to lift the Ballon d'Or award this year; the Poland international certainly deserves the recognition.
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#3 Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund)
Erling Haaland is already a bonafide superstar, and is one of the best players in world football.
The Norway international is developing at an incredible rate. A prodigious talent during his Molde days, Haaland has evolved into one of the most complete strikers of the current generation. He is a terrifying mixture of speed, technique and strength, and has enjoyed an electric start to the 2021-22 season.
The 21-year-old has scored seven league goals in just five appearances for Borussia Dortmund. Haaland is unlikely to be a Dortmund player for too long, as some of the biggest clubs in world football are lining up to make a bid for the striker.
#2 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Mohamed Salah has long been regarded as one of the best players in the world. But he can now make a legitimate claim to be one of the best footballers in the game right now.
Salah has been pivotal to Liverpool's success under Jurgen Klopp. A prolific goalscorer gifted with rapid pace and quick feet, the Egypt international is adored by the Anfield faithful. A consistent performer, Salah, on current form, has looked untouchable for Liverpool.
The 29-year-old has scored six goals, and provided three assists in seven league games for Liverpool. Salah's performance against Manchester City, in particular, made the world stand up and take notice. His contract expires in 2023, so fans are urging Liverpool to quickly tie him to a new deal.
#1 Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
Karim Benzema, like Robert Lewandowski and Mohamed Salah, deserves to win a major individual accolade due to his world-class performances over the years.
Benzema has been stunning form for Real Madrid this season. The 33-year-old has always been a regular feature in Real Madrid's attacks since joining the club in 2009. However, he almost always operated in the shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo, who took home most of the plaudits.
Since Ronaldo's departure, Benzema has taken over as the club's superstar and talisman. This season, the France international has scored nine goals and provided seven assists in eight league games. He played a key role as France won the 2020-21 UEFA Nations League. Benzema currently boasts the most goal contributions of any player in Europe's top five leagues.
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