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Left-winger - Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe continues to torment defenders with his electric pace and incredible trickery. The Frenchman is an absolute joy to watch and is widely viewed as heir-apparent to the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
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Mbappe had a rather underwhelming outing at Euro 2020, scoring no goals and providing just a single assist in four appearances in the tournament. But he bounced back well on the international circuit, scoring a goal each in the semi-finals and final of the UEFA Nations League.
The 22-year-old scored 42 goals and provided 11 assists in 47 appearances across all competitions for PSG in the 2020-21 season. He was named the Ligue 1 Player of the Year. Mbappe has been PSG's best player in the ongoing season as well.
He has scored 15 goals and racked up 15 assists in 24 appearances across all competitions so far this term.
Striker - Robert Lewandowski
There is no dearth of world-class strikers in football right now. But ultimately, a choice had to be made between Robert Lewandowski and Erling Haaland. As much as we admire Erling Haaland and his incredible goalscoring exploits, Lewandowski is hard to look past.
Many feel that the Bayern Munich marksman was robbed off the Ballon d'Or this year. He broke Gerd Muller's record for most goals scored in a single Bundesliga season (40) by scoring 41 goals in just 29 league appearances last season.
Lewandowski has been scoring at more than a goal per game for the past few seasons now. Despite turning 33 this year, he has kicked on in the same vein. He has already scored 30 goals and provided three assists in 25 appearances across all competitions this term.
He is extremely sharp in front of goal. Lewandowski's movements in and around the final third are immaculately measured and he can score some beauties with his head and either foot as well.
Right-winger - Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
This was perhaps the toughest call to make. It ultimately came down to Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah. Lionel Messi was in spectacular form in the first half of 2021. He was a standout performer for Barcelona as they won the Copa Del Rey.
Messi also single-handedly dragged them back into the title race in the second half of the 2020-21 season. But Barcelona made a mess of it in the final few weeks. Then Messi went and won the Copa America with Argentina in the summer. He was also the Best Player at the tournament.
Messi was also the joint-top scorer and top assist provider. However, he has had difficulties settling down at Paris Saint-Germain in the 2021-22 season. Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah has played some great football all throughout the year.
He scored 31 goals and provided six assists in 2020-21, which was a difficult season for Liverpool as they struggled with injuries to some of their best players. Salah has been unstoppable so far in the ongoing season.
He has scored 22 goals and provided nine assists in just 24 appearances across all competitions for Liverpool this term. The Egyptian international has been consistent throughout the year. The way things have gone of late, it is harder to leave Salah out of the team than it is to axe Messi.
Substitutes - Donnarumma, Bruno Fernandes, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Antonio Rudiger, Lionel Messi
Well, some would be surprised to find both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi here. But neither player has convinced us extensively over the course of 2021 to warrant a place on the team of the year. Don't get us wrong. The duo have been absolutely world-class but a few players have performed better.
Bruno Fernandes is one of the most creative playmakers in the world. Antonio Rudiger has been a beast in defence for Chelsea. Karim Benzema has been one of the standout performers in the second half of 2021.
Gianluigi Donnarumma was named the Best Player of the Tournament at Euro 2020. However, he hasn't exactly been able to nail down a starting berth at PSG and is still alternating with Keylor Navas.
Gianluigi Donnarumma is our substitute goalkeeper. He was named Best Player of the Tournament at Euro 2020.
