5 world-class players who are desperately out of form

Class is permanent but form isn't. That's something every world-class player must have learned by now. Even the finest and most consistent footballers in the world go through rough patches. This season is, indeed, a very good point of reference when discussing this subject.

As it stands in European football right now, the number of world-class players who have fallen from their normal levels of performance is quite staggering. While some are only struggling with end-products, others have totally become mere shadows of themselves and are looking frustrated at the moment.

Moreover, these superstars have become subjects of criticism among pundits, journalists and football fans alike. From defenders to midfielders and down to attackers, we take a look at five world-class players who are desperately out of form at the moment.

#5 Lionel Messi

A slow start to life for the attacker in France

The Argentine arrived at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) with much fanfare after parting ways with Barcelona during last summer's transfer window. He signed a two-year contract upon landing at the Parc des Princes. He linked up with former colleague Neymar and French star Kylian Mbappe to form an all-star attacking trident.

Unfortunately, contrary to expectations, the Argentine has been a mere shadow of himself, especially in Ligue 1. He's bagged just two goals in 13 games so far in the league. Despite Lionel Messi's better output in the Champions League, where he's bagged five goals in as many games, no one can deny he's struggling in France.

Overall, the Argentine has recorded seven goals and seven assists to his name in all competitions. That is definitely not what you'd expect from a player of his caliber at this stage of the season.

#4 Romelu Lukaku

The striker seems to have lost his world-class vibe

Chelsea had expected a lot from Romelu Lukaku when they paid Inter Milan a whopping £97.5 million to sign the Belgian last summer. However, five months have passed and the striker has failed to hit the ground running.

Lukaku scored three goals in his first three Premier League games this season. But apart from that, he hasn't had any other impressive contributions for the Blues. As it stands, he's bagged eight goals to his name in 25 appearances in all competitions.

It is worth noting that the 28-year-old has fired blanks in each of his last five games for the club across all fronts. Across last 17 games, the Belgian has scored just three goals for Chelsea, justifying his inclusion on this list of world-class players desperately out of form.

#4 Jack Grealish

The Englishman attained a world-class level at Aston Villa but has failed to replicate it at the Etihad

Manchester City signed Jack Grealish from Aston Villa for £100 million last year, making him the most expensive signing of the summer. However, the Englishman has failed to justify his gargantuan transfer fee since switching to the Etihad Stadium.

So far this season, Grealish has made 24 appearances for the Cityzens across all competitions, recording three goals and three assists to his name. That includes two goals and two assists in the Premier League, as well as one goal and one assist in the Champions League.

It becomes even more embarrassing to learn that the former Aston Villa playmaker has had a lot of opportunities to impress. He's started a whopping 20 games for Manchester City out of a possible 21 across all competitions so far but failed to utilize them.

#2 Marcus Rashford

Another world-class player who is quite below his normal level

Honestly, it's been an underwhelming start to the season for Manchester United attacker Marcus Rashford. The Englishman entered the campaign with a shoulder injury, which forced him to miss the Red Devils' first 13 fixtures in all competitions.

He returned to the team in October and even scored twice in his first three Premier League games. But the winger has been below his normal level ever since. As it stands, Rashford has struck five times for Manchester United in 18 appearances this season.

The 24-year-old found the back of the net against West Ham in the Premier League last time out but that isn't enough to change anything. He'll need to keep that going for the next few weeks to convince everyone that he's back.

#1 Eden Hazard

The Belgian has not been playing like a walk-class player since joining Real Madrid

The name everyone probably expects to find on this list Eden Hazard's Real Madrid spell continues to produce more questions than answers. The Belgian has experienced a sharp decline since leaving Chelsea to join the Spanish giants in the summer of 2019.

Constant injury crises have reduced the attacker to an average, if not below-average, player at the Santiago Bernabeu. Hazard has missed more than 50 games at Real Madrid due to fitness issues. So far, he's made 62 appearances for the club across two-and-a-half seasons, recording 10 goals and six assists to his name.

The former Chelsea playmaker has contributed a paltry one goal and two assists for Los Blancos across all competitions this season. It remains to be seen if he'll bounce back anytime soon.