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Playing football at a professional level is a dream for many. But it's an ordeal that comes with its own set of trials and tribulations. The amount of dedication and sacrifice that goes into converting potential into results and then sustaining it over several years doesn't happen easily.
That's why we have so many individuals who fail to realize their potential or fade away too early. The rigours of a career in professional football can get hard to keep up with. Players who look world-class in one season can look ordinary in the next.
For a player to be performing to the best of his capabilities, a lot of factors need to come together. Physical and mental well-being, as well as the ability to adapt and evolve, go a long way towards sustaining form at the highest level.
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Without further ado, let's take a look at five superstars who could be back to their best this season.
#5 Gareth Bale - Real Madrid
Gareth Bale was touted as the heir apparent to the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. But his constant injury issues have stopped him from reaching the heights he was initially expected to. Don't get us wrong. Bale has still had a wonderful career and won things most players can only dream of.
However, the four-time Champions League winner's contributions to Real Madrid have dwindled in recent years. His relationship with the club has also worsened and the Welshman seemed to have fallen out of favour with former Real Madrid manager Zidane.
In the 2019-20 season, Bale made just 20 appearances across all competitions for Real Madrid. He scored just three goals and provided two assists. Bale was subsequently shipped out to his former club Tottenham Hotspur on loan for the 2020-21 season.
Even there, he struggled with injuries but gave Premier League fans a glimpse of what he can do when he is on song during the closing stages of the season. In 34 appearances for the Lilywhites, Bale scored 16 goals and provided three assists across all competitions for Spurs in the 2020-21 season.
He is now back at the Santiago Bernabeu and Carlo Ancelotti is a coach who has got the best out of Bale in the past. During Ancelotti's time in charge of Real Madrid, Bale scored 39 goals and provided 31 assists in 92 matches.
If he can stay fit and not get injured, we could see the menacing old Gareth Bale we all love to watch.
#4 Paulo Dybala - Juventus
Paulo Dybala has been one of Juventus' best players over the past few years. The Argentine has been a creative force in midfield for the Bianconeri. However, Dybala couldn't win over Andrea Pirlo in the latter's only season as the manager of the club.
He missed the opening stages of the 2020-21 campaign with a thigh problem. Dybala struggled to break into the first-team after that. Despite Pirlo's reassurances over how important the midfielder is to the side, he did not become a regular fixture in the starting XI.
To make matters worse, Dybala picked up an MCL injury in January which eventually led to him missing out on nearly three months of action. The 27-year-old scored just five goals and provided three assists in 26 appearances across all competitions in the 2020-21 season.
But with Massimiliano Allegri brought back as manager, we could see Dybala bounce back this season. Allegri has been able to bring out the best in the player during his previous stint with the Bianconeri. At 27 years of age, Dybala is still in his peak years and 2021-22 could really be his season.
The early signs are promising. Dybala most recently opened the scoring for Juventus in their latest pre-season friendly against Atalanta on Saturday.
#3 Eden Hazard - Real Madrid
Eden Hazard is yet another Real Madrid player whose fall from grace has been quite appalling. The Belgian international was signed from Chelsea on a deal worth €115 million in the summer of 2019.
Hazard, who did not have many injury issues during his time at Chelsea, has spent more time in the nursing room than on the pitch at Real Madrid. He was also not in the best shape when he arrived and has struggled to settle down in the Spanish capital.
In his first season at Real Madrid, Hazard scored just one goal and provided seven assists in 22 appearances across all competitions. Last season, he scored four goals and provided one assist in 21 appearances across all competitions for Real Madrid.
The 30-year-old showed a lot of quality in Belgium's run to the quarter-finals of Euro 2020. He's also got back into shape and looks like he's raring to go. This could very well be the season when Hazard finally justifies his hefty price tag in front of the Santiago Bernabeu faithful.
#2 Virgil van Dijk - Liverpool
Virgil van Dijk has been a colossus at the back for Liverpool since joining the club halfway through the 2017-18 season. He was one of their key players as the Merseysiders won the Champions League in the 2018-19 season.
Van Dijk's presence at the back provided much-needed stability at the back and Liverpool won the Premier League title in the 2019-20 season. However, they endured a dull start to their title defence in the 2020-21 season. Liverpool conceded a heavy 7-2 defeat to Aston Villa and their defence looked a bit out of sorts.
The Dutchman then tore his ACL in a game against Everton in October and that ruled him out until the end of the season. Virgil van Dijk is back now and there is no doubt that his return will once again make Liverpool title contenders.
#1 Paul Pogba - Manchester United
Paul Pogba has been regularly linked with a move away from Manchester United. But he continues to stay put at the club and has now entered the final year of his contract with the Red Devils. Pogba's inconsistency has always worried Manchester United fans but he has been a much better player under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
After returning from a hamstring injury that saw him miss 10 games in the 2020-21 season, Pogba showed United just how good a player he is. He ran the show on several occasions and played a big role in Manchester United finishing second in the Premier League table.
Pogba then had a great outing at Euro 2020 and was arguably France's best player of the tournament. He also scored a peach of a goal from 25-yards out in their Round of 16 tie against Switzerland, which they ultimately lost.
Pogba is now back at Manchester United and has started the 2021-22 season in the best manner possible. He ran the show in Manchester United's season opener against Leeds United and provided as many as four assists. Pogba has become only the eighth player in Premier League history to assist four goals in a game.
Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba make for one of the most menacing attacking midfield combinations in Europe. The early signs are extremely promising and this could very well be the season where we see the very best of the Frenchman.
