Ranking the top 10 best footballers in the world before the forthcoming season

#8 Mohamed Salah

Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League Final

Salah has now been on this list for the second consecutive year and not many can successfully say that barring Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The Egyptian won the UEFA Champions League with Liverpool and only if Egypt had gone further into the Africa Cup of Nations, he would have been further up on this list.

Nevertheless, last season, Salah didn't start scoring goals from the offset. He was struggling to find the back of the net and many people started speculating that he is just a one-season wonder but boy did he shut their mouths up. The Egyptian picked up the pace in the middle part of the season and didn't look back, scoring 27 goals and assisting a further 13 for Liverpool.

Salah has converted himself into a world-class player and the Reds are very lucky to have him.

#7 Raheem Sterling

Switzerland v England - UEFA Nations League Third Place Playoff

What a season the little English wizard had for Manchester City. Finally, this season everyone in the footballing world recognized the potential of Raheem Sterling. He was in scintillating form for Manchester City as they conjured up a domestic treble.

In a season where Manchester City were utterly dominant, Raheem managed to impress both for the Skyblues and England. So much so, he might have been the best attacker for Manchester City this season. Playing both on the left and the right, Raheem dazzled oppositions with his brilliant movement, great control on the ball and finishing skills.

He has improved almost all aspects of his game. The biggest improvement has been his finishing and his dribbling ability has reached a whole new level. The 24-year-old scored a total of 25 goals and assisted a further 18 for the blue side of Manchester in his best season till date.