Top 10 players in Europe this season according to ratings (2020/21)

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

Domestic leagues across Europe are coming to an end for the season with the focus now shifting to the Euros.

There has been an incredible array of dazzling performances in the 2020/21 season. While established superstars have continued to perform at the highest level, a couple of young players have emerged who have the potential to become legends in the future.

In this article, we will look at the top 10 players in Europe this season according to ratings (2020/21).


#10 Erling Braut Haaland (Borussia Dortmund) | 7.58

RB Leipzig v Borussia Dortmund - DFB Cup Final 2021
RB Leipzig v Borussia Dortmund - DFB Cup Final 2021

One of the best strikers in world football, Erling Braut Haaland is already a superstar at the age of 20.

Having made his name at Red Bull Salzburg, Haaland joined Borussia Dortmund in January 2020 for a fee of £18 million in one of the bargains of the decade, with Borussia Dortmund set to earn a big profit on their investment very soon.

The Norway international has made 27 Bundesliga appearances this season, scoring 25 goals and providing six assists. Manchester United, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Barcelona are all heavily interested in the striker, and Haaland will be spoilt for choice if he decides to leave Borussia Dortmund this summer.


#9 Jack Grealish (Aston Villa) | 7.59

Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa - Premier League
Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa - Premier League

Jack Grealish is a sensational footballer and it is hard to imagine him playing for Aston Villa next season.

A product of the Aston Villa academy, Grealish is the club's captain and talisman. The England international is an excellent dribbler and creator and has been utilised on the left wing and as an attacking midfielder this season by Aston Villa manager Dean Smith.

Grealish signed a new long-term contract last year and Aston Villa will surely demand a huge figure for their most valuable player if he leaves. The 25-year-old, who has made 25 Premier League appearances this season and scored six goals and provided 10 assists, has been linked with Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal.


#8 Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli) | 7.59

Hellas Verona FC v SSC Napoli - Serie A
Hellas Verona FC v SSC Napoli - Serie A

An underrated footballer, Lorenzo Insigne has been a consistent presence in the Napoli first XI for some time now.

Insigne has spent his entire playing career at Napoli, barring loan spells at Cavese, Foggia and Pescara. The 29-year-old, who can play on the left wing or as a striker, has been excellent this season and has arguably been Napoli's best player this campaign.

Insigne's current deal with Napoli expires in 2022, and it remains to be seen what he does next. The Italy international has made 34 Serie A appearances this season, scoring 19 goals and providing seven assists.


Also Read: 5 players who face a race against time to be fit for Euro 2020


#7 Andy Delort (Montpellier) | 7.60

Wigan Athletic v Nottingham Forest - Sky Bet Championship
Wigan Athletic v Nottingham Forest - Sky Bet Championship

Andy Delort has quietly stitched together a wonderful spell at Montpellier and this season he has arguably been at his very best.

Delort joined Montpellier from Toulouse in 2018 on a loan deal, which was made permanent in 2019 for a fee of £4 million. The Algeria international has proved to be a shrewd acquisition by Montpellier and has led the line for them on a consistent basis.

The 29-year-old, who previously spent some time in the Championship with Wigan Athletic, has made 29 Ligue 1 appearances this season, scoring 14 goals and providing nine assists. Delort is one of two players to represent Ligue 1 on this list.


#6 Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus) | 7.61

Udinese Calcio v Juventus - Serie A
Udinese Calcio v Juventus - Serie A

Juventus have endured a poor season by their lofty standards and currently sit 5th in Serie A with a game to go.

The Old Lady's star player, Cristiano Ronaldo, has not slowed down though. He is the leading goalscorer in Serie A this season, and looks set to win the Capocannoniere for his performances during the 2020/21 campaign. The Portugal international, however, will be unhappy with Juventus' results through they triumphed in the Italian Cup recently.

Ronaldo has been linked with a move away from Italy in recent weeks. A return to Manchester United has been speculated for the 36-year-old, while various MLS clubs have also been suggested as potential destinations.


#5 Gerard Moreno (Villarreal) | 7.64

Valencia CF v Villarreal CF - La Liga Santander
Valencia CF v Villarreal CF - La Liga Santander

Like Andy Delort, Gerard Moreno has enjoyed a phenomenal season at Villarreal silently, and has to be one of the most underrated players in Europe right now.

Having made his professional debut for Villarreal, Moreno made his name at Espanyol before returning to Villarreal in 2018 for a fee of £18 million. The 29-year-old endured a quiet first season but has been on fire since then. A striker capable of operating on the wings if needed, Moreno has been an everpresent for Unai Emery's Villarreal this time around.

The Spain international has made 32 league appearances, scoring 23 goals and providing six assists. Barcelona are said to be tracking Moreno.


#4 Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain) | 7.68

Paris Saint-Germain v FC Bayern Munich - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final 3: Leg Two
Paris Saint-Germain v FC Bayern Munich - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final 3: Leg Two

Ligue 1's other representative on this list, Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe, needs little introduction.

The 22-year-old is regarded as one of the best players in the world right now, and has already achieved a lot despite his young age. A world-class dribbler and an excellent creator and finisher, Mbappe is the complete package who looks set to dominate the footballing landscape for the next decade alongside Haaland.

The France international has been consistently linked with a move away from the Paris giants though, with Real Madrid and Liverpool seen as possible destinations. Paris Saint-Germain signed him for £130.5 million from AS Monaco, so a humongous bid will be required in order to capture Mbappe.


Also Read: 5 biggest mistakes made by Barcelona this season (2020/21)


#3 Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) | 7.76

Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa - Premier League
Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa - Premier League

The best player in the Premier League this season, Harry Kane has often been the difference between a Tottenham Hotspur win and a Tottenham Hotspur defeat.

Kane's world-class season has gone slightly under the radar due to Tottenham Hotspur's poor season. The England international has carried his club for the entirety of the 2020/21 season, and it is hard to imagine where Spurs would be without their talisman's contributions.

It was revealed recently that Kane was looking to leave Tottenham Hotspur, a decision that has not surprised many. The 27-year-old has made 34 Premier League appearances, scoring 22 goals and providing 13 assists. He is the leading goalscorer as well as the top assist provider in the league this season.


#2 Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich) | 8.03

FC Bayern Muenchen v Borussia Moenchengladbach - Bundesliga
FC Bayern Muenchen v Borussia Moenchengladbach - Bundesliga

One of the best players in world football and one of the greatest strikers of the modern generation, Robert Lewandowski is not slowing down.

Bayern Munich acquiring Lewandowski on a free transfer in 2014 has to go down as one of the best deals in the history of football. The Poland international has made 328 appearances in all competitions for the Bavarian giants since his debut, scoring an astounding 293 goals. He has won seven Bundesliga titles at Bayern Munich and was the club's most important player when they clinched the treble last season.

The 32-year-old is seemingly getting better and better. This season, Lewandowski has made 28 Bundesliga appearances, scoring 40 goals and providing seven assists. It will be interesting to see how Bayern Munich replace their talisman once he starts to decline. Given his performances, that might not happen for some time.


#1 Lionel Messi (Barcelona) | 8.52

FC Barcelona v RC Celta - La Liga Santander
FC Barcelona v RC Celta - La Liga Santander

The greatest player to have played the game of football, Lionel Messi is the best player in Europe according to ratings.

A world-class dribbler, creator and goalscorer, Messi is Barcelona's greatest ever. A one-club man (till now at least), the 33-year-old has been a fine player for the club, and has played a very important role in Barcelona's success so far this century.

Messi's Barcelona contract expires in the summer and is an issue of concern for Barcelona president Joan Laporta. The Argentina international has made 35 La Liga appearances, scoring 30 goals and providing nine assists. Messi has been strongly linked with Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain over the last season.


Also Read: Premier League 2020/21: Top 10 players this season according to ratings

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Edited by S Chowdhury
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