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Now that we're about to close the curtains on the final international break of 2021, things are about to get a whole lot more intense across Europe's top five leagues. Several teams and individuals have already made an impression in the 2021-22 season.
Many world-class individuals are yet to truly hit their stride this term. Lionel Messi is yet to score a goal in Ligue 1 after joining Paris Saint-Germain in the summer. But we all know that it's only a matter of time before he kicks into gear.
Meanwhile, several other players have been in sublime form. They've grabbed their opportunities to shine and have helped their sides immensely in the first quarter of the season.
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Without further ado, let's take a look at five players with the most goal contributions in the 2021-22 season so far.
(Note: Only Europe's top 5 leagues are considered for the list)
#5 Ciro Immobile (Lazio) - 12 goal contributions
Lazio finished 10 points adrift of the last Champions League berth in Serie A last term. They want this season to be an improvement on that and Ciro Immobile has predictably been their main man once again.
Lazio have been awful defensively and have conceded 19 goals in just 12 Serie A games so far this season. But they've also scored 25 and Immobile has been involved in nearly half of those goals.
Immobile has scored 10 goals and provided two assists in 11 appearances in the Italian top-flight so far this term. The Italian international had a bit of an ordinary 2020-21 by his own standards as he scored only 20 goals in 35 appearances.
He looks set to turn it around this season and get back to being as prolific as we know he can be.
#4 Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund) - 12 goal contributions
Borussia Dortmund have been dealt a huge blow as Erling Haaland has now reportedly been ruled out for the rest of 2021 with a hip muscle injury. This is an opportunity for the Bundesliga outfit to show how effective they can be without Haaland. It's hard to put another positive spin on their current predicament.
The Norwegian international was in sublime form in the early parts of the 2021-22 season. He had scored 27 goals and provided eight assists in 28 Bundesliga appearances last term.
He looked on course to better those figures considerably before he was injured. Haaland has scored nine goals and provided three assists in just six Bundesliga appearances so far this season.
#3 Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich) - 14 goal contributions
Robert Lewandowski has been the most prolific striker on the planet over the past few seasons. He even broke Gerd Muller's record for the most goals scored in a single Bundesliga season (40), by netting 41 times in 29 appearances last term.
The Polish international has kicked on in the same vein this season. The 33-year-old has played a crucial role in Bayern Munich racing to a four-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga table.
He has once again been phenomenal for the Bavarians and he continues to be their main weapon in attack. In Thomas Muller and Lewandowski, Bayern Munich have one of the strongest attacking duos in Europe.
Lewandowski has scored 13 goals and provided an assist in 11 Bundesliga appearances so far this season.
#2 Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) - 17 goal contributions
Karim Benzema is one of the best attackers of his generation. His playmaking skills are pretty much of the same standard as his goalscoring ability. Benzema is a well-rounded player whose intelligence and sharpness match his technical proficiency.
The Frenchman has been in sublime form for both club and country this year. He played a huge role in France's UEFA Nations League triumph, scoring vital goals in the semi-final and final of the competition.
The Real Madrid striker has also got off to a flying start to the 2021-22 season. Benzema has made 17 goal contributions so far this term. In 11 La Liga appearances, the 33-year-old has scored 10 goals and provided seven assists.
Benzema's longevity at the very top is quite commendable and he has played great football so far this term.
#1 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) - 17 goal contributions
Mohamed Salah is arguably the most in-form attacker in the world right now. The Egyptian international has been one of the most consistent forwards in Europe over the past few seasons. But he has turned it up a couple of notches this term.
Salah has become sharper with the ball at his feet. He has already scored a couple of wonderful solo goals against the likes of Watford and Manchester City. He also scored a stunning hat-trick against bitter rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Salah has been in spectacular form this new season. The 29-year-old has made 17 goal contributions in the Premier League this term. He has scored 10 goals and provided seven assists.
