Ranking the 5 best finishers in world football right now (2021)

#3 Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi (left) joined PSG ahead of the 2021-22 season.

Lionel Messi’s move to PSG in the 2021 summer transfer window caused a lot of buzz and excitement among fans worldwide.

Fresh from his Copa America glory, the Argentine embarked on a new challenge, parting ways with his boyhood club Barcelona after a 21-year association. Barcelona’s struggles in the 2021-22 season have magnified the importance of Messi in their squad. His goalscoring record for Barcelona is nothing short of astounding, even though he has taken some time to adapt to life in Paris.

The Argentine left Camp Nou with an astonishing tally of 672 goals and 305 assists in nearly 800 appearances across competitions. Messi’s left foot is probably the most remarkable in the history of the game, as he almost always find the target with his strong foot. The six-time Ballon d’Or winner can dribble past defenders at speed, and can pull the trigger anytime off either foot.

Even for an underperforming Barcelona side in the 2020-21 season, Messi registered 38 goals and 14 assists across competitions. The Argentine has endured a slow start to his PSG career, scoring only thrice in eight games across competitions.

However, Messi has averaged a goal per game in the 2021-22 Champions League. He has scored three goals in as many Champions League appearances for the Parisians.

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#2 Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah scored a hat-trick in Manchester United's 5-0 demolition.

On current form, Mohamed Salah is arguably the best player in the game right now. In the 2021-22 season, the Egyptian wizard has racked up 15 goals and six assists in just 15 appearances across competitions.

He has been one of the best dribblers and playmakers in the final third over the years. Salah’s finishing has reached new heights this season. He is currently providing tough competition to Messi for the best left foot in world football. Cutting on the inside and pulling the trigger on his left foot has become the Egyptian’s signature move.

Mohamed Salah has averaged almost two goals a game in the Champions League this season, bagging a return of five goals in four appearances. That included braces against Porto and Atletico Madrid, and a goal in Liverpool’s thrilling 3-2 win against AC Milan on Matchday 1.

The 29-year-old is currently under negotiation with Liverpool for a contract extension. His current form is making it very difficult for the board to say no to his reasonable demands. If the two parties don’t reach an agreement, many top clubs across Europe would be more than happy to snap up the prolific goalscorer.

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#1 Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo

Even at 36, Cristiano Ronaldo remains one of the most clinical finishers in world football, averaging almost a goal per game in a misfiring Manchester United side.

The Portuguese superstar marked his second homecoming in stunning fashion, scoring a brace against Newcastle in his first game back at Old Trafford. Ronaldo has been restricted due to a lack of goalscoring chances created by the United players around him. However, he has still managed nine goals in 12 appearances across competitions.

Ronaldo has continued his domination in the Champions League this season as well. He is a significant reason why Manchester United are sitting atop their group. Ronaldo scored injury-time goals to secure a draw against Atalanta and helped collect all three points against Villarreal.

Out of his four shots attempted in the Atalanta game, three of them were on target. He also found the back of the net twice in that match. That was a prime example of Ronaldo’s lethal goalscoring ability and finishing prowess in big games.