It is a sensational time to be a football fan as few can recall a time where many of the top stars in the European game are performing at such a high level simultaneously.
In addition to the mind-blowing competition between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, it seems as though the rest are battling to be recognised alongside two of the best players in the history of football.
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In honour of these great times, here are eight players currently reigning supreme.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
What can be said about the Portuguese superstar that hasn’t been uttered already? Just as the viewing public speculated that the 30-year-old’s power maybe waning, he scores five goals in one game.
2. Lionel Messi
If the voting for the Ballon d’Or closed today, the Barca man would be the overwhelming favourite and it seems as though he is on a personal mission to reclaim his standing as the greatest footballer the world, and possibly in history. Last season was Ronaldo’s, but Messi may single-handedly bring all the major trophies back to the Camp Nou.
3. Eden Hazard
The general feeling is that the two aforementioned players will continue to battle it out for the Ballon d’Or over the next few years. However, if there is to be a realistic challenge from elsewhere then the Chelsea man could be a serious contender. Finally showing the signs of carrying his club side, Hazard is a major contender for the PFA player of the year award.
4. Alexis Sanchez
After a decent campaign for Barcelona last year, scoring 21 goals in all competitions, the Chilean sensation has taken the Premier League by storm and is relishing being the leading man at a top European club. Scoring his 20th goal of the season from the wing against Liverpool, Alexis has been in a league of his own at times this campaign.
5. Harry Kane
It would be hard no to include the leading scorer in arguably the best league in the world with Spurs striker Harry Kane continuing his sensational season. After a call-up to England for the first time, it took him less than two minutes to get off the mark for the national side.
6. Alexander Lacazette
In league which contains the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani and Dimitar Berbatov, Lacazette is in a league of his own in terms of goal-scoring in Ligue 1. He’s scored 24 in 27 appearances, nine ahead of the enigmatic Swede.
7. Marco Reus
Despite suffering a few injury problems this season, according to Squawka, he has scored seven goals and assisted five in 17 Bundesliga appearances, a sensational return. Reus has signed a new contract recently (via Daily Mirror), but that will surely not prevent top European clubs making huge offers for the German wizard.
8. Manuel Neuer
The German is ripping up all the traditional rules for a modern-day goalkeeper, in most games completing more passes than the oppositions’ outfield players. He also has the basics knuckled-down and firing past the German is no doubt an achievement in itself.