Power Rankings: The top 5 players of the week

Also, there are others who did not play well in Europe but still managed to work their way into the list of top five performing players, as their outputs over the weekend cannot be ignored. Considering the fact that this piece is listing just five of the top performers, there is very tight competition for places. There are certain players who perhaps would have made the list but have been left out due to their no-shows in midweek’s Champions League games. Another football week is gone, but wherever you are across the globe, it is expected that you enjoyed the excitement that all the major European leagues brought.

From England to Spain to Germany to Italy and to the other leagues, there were some players who distinguished themselves from their colleagues by putting up splendid performances for their respective clubs.

So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the top five players of the week:

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#5 Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City)

Mahrez was a two-goal hero for Man City against Cardiff City

Manchester City attacker Riyad Mahrez makes the list of top five performing players of the week following his two-goal salvo in the club’s 5-0 win over Cardiff on Saturday. The Algerian international was introduced into the game in the 61st minute, taking the place of striker Sergio Aguero.

At that point, Pep Guardiola’s side were already leading their opponents by three goals, however, Mahrez breathed a new lease of life into the Citizens, initiating dangerous marauding runs on both wings.

He ended the game with two well-taken goals to round up a 5-0 win for Man City. The 26-year-old’s performance in those 30 minutes was so impressive that It would have been a shame had he not gotten on the scoresheet.

Mahrez has not had the best of starts since joining the Etihad outfit from Leicester City. However, Saturday’s performance against Cardiff is definitely his best in the blue colors. It wasn’t just about the goals, but his overall output was simply superb.

#4 Cristhian Stuani (Girona)

Stuani netted a double against Barcelona over the weekend

Another player who easily makes the list of top performing players of the week is Girona’s Cristhian Stuani. The striker’s name may not sound familiar to many people, but his output against Barcelona on Sunday was enough to put him in the limelight.

Stuani was a constant menace to the Barca defense as Girona impressively held the Catalan giants to a 2-2 draw at the Camp Nou. When Girona fell behind to an early Lionel Messi goal, it looked like a night that will rain goals on the La Liga minnows.

However, the Uruguayan stepped up and snatched an equalizer for his side right before the half-time whistle. But he wasn’t done yet. Five minutes after the restart, Stuani put Girona ahead for the time in the game, after slotting home to make it 2-1.

Perhaps Barcelona were fortunate to snatch an equalizer of their own, but Stuani’s performance would no doubt have left an impression on the Camp Nou fans and all who witnessed the game.

#3 Wissam Ben Yedder (Sevilla)

Ben Yedder scored a first-half hat-trick for Sevilla against Levante

The biggest winners in the Spanish La Liga over the weekend were Sevilla. The Andalusian side were involved in a complete goal fest after coasting to a 6-2 win over Levante on Sunday. Sevilla were ruthless in every measure and Wissam Ben Yedder was at the forefront of everything.

The French striker netted a sublime first-half hat-trick to set Pablo Machin’s side on their way to that massive victory. Ben Yedder took just 11 minutes to open the scoring, added his second in the 35th minute and completed his hat-trick just before the break.

The striker was unable to add any more goals as he was replaced by Quincy Promes right after the hour mark. Perhaps, he could have scored another had he been allowed to stay on the pitch longer.

Ben Yedder remains the only player to have scored a hat-trick in the Spanish topflight over the weekend and his performance earns him a place in this week’s list of top five players.

#2 Nabir Fekir

Nabil Fekir celebrates after scoring against Man City in the Champions League

There is currently no doubt that Nabir Fekir is the star of the Lyon team. The attacker once again showed why he is one of the most wanted players in the world at the moment. Fekir was in imperious form as he led Lyon to an important 4-2 win over rivals Olympique Marseille.

The 25-year-old contributed an assist and also scored from the penalty spot to help his side to another three points. Earlier in midweek, Fekir was the protagonist as the Ligue 1 side stunned the world by beating Manchester City 2-1 at the Etihad in the Champions League.

The France international caused all sorts of problems for Pep Guardiola’s side and ended up having a hand in both goals that Lyon scored on the night – he assisted one and scored the other.

It doesn’t come any better than scoring two goals and assisting a further two in the space of a week and Fekir deserves to be among the top performers this week.

#1 Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

Messi scored again over the weekend against Girona

Messi continued took his fine form into Sunday’s game by netting another goal for Barca, en route to the club’s 2-2 draw with Girona. Although Ernesto Valverde’s side failed to win, it was another masterclass from Messi who helped his teammates secure a draw despite being reduced to 10 men for the majority of the game. Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi ended the week as the number one pick when it comes to top players in the last seven days. The Argentine magician enjoyed one of his most productive weeks in recent times, after netting four goals in just two games.

Messi led Barcelona to an emphatic 4-0 win over PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League in midweek – a game which he scored a hat-trick. The 31-year-old was the star of the show as he was in the thick of almost every attack that the Catalan giants orchestrated.

Two games played, four goals scored and one more assist to add – it was a perfect week for the Barcelona captain.