Ranking the 5 best players across Europe's major leagues so far this season

#3 Erling Haaland - Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund v 1. FC Union Berlin - Bundesliga

Europe is home to some of the most fearsome strikers in world football. Every other day, a new “generational” talent pops up. Most of these footballers fade away after a couple of months. Very few manage to keep up the momentum, and even fewer are capable of increasing it.

Borussia Dortmund man Erling Haaland could easily be dubbed a generational talent, an anomaly in modern day football. He is currently leaps and bounds ahead of most forwards in Europe and is leading the Bundesliga Golden Boot race.

In only five Bundesliga appearances, he has scored seven goals and provided four assists, which is ludicrous, to say the least.

The Norwegian was on target in the Champions League as well, scoring right before half-time against Besiktas on matchday one.

Haaland still has to perform at the top level for many years to be in the same league as Lewandowski. But that should not take anything away from the way he has performed this season.

---

#2 Mohamed Salah - Liverpool

FC Porto v Liverpool FC: Group B - UEFA Champions League

Under Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool have turned into a complete footballing powerhouse. The German’s unwavering trust in his system and his talisman Mohamed Salah is why Liverpool have been so effortlessly consistent. Salah has started the season strongly once again, giving us a sumptuous mix of his creative ball-playing and ruthless finishing.

Salah’s best moment of the season so far came against defending Premier League champions Manchester City on gameweek seven. The forward picked the ball on the right, beat five defenders and slotted it home from a tight angle. The goal, his sixth in seven matches, allowed Liverpool to keep City from bagging maximum points at Anfield.

---

#1 Karim Benzema - Real Madrid

RCD Espanyol v Real Madrid CF - La Liga Santander

Karim Benzema has been Real Madrid’s standout performer since Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure in 2018. This season, he has taken his performances up a couple more notches, emerging as the most lethal forward in Europe.

Under Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid and Benzema have enjoyed more attacking freedom. The Frenchman looks more flamboyant than ever and seems to be present in every inch of the final third.

He combines effortlessly, fetches the ball from midfield, and scores like there is no tomorrow.

The four-time Champions League winner already has 10 goals and seven assists in 10 games across all competitions, and he is just getting started.