1. Lionel Messi: La Pulga Atomica (Nuclear Flea) has been at the top of the list for over a decade, and at 33, he's still going strong. In fact, sensational stats and weather have become second nature to him. Despite being absent in Barcelona's first four games of the season due to injury, Messi is likely to win La Liga's top scorer for the seventh time in his career, with 22 goals and three games to go. With those 22 goals, Messi has 20 assists in the league so far, breaking his personal record of 18 in one season and contributing a total of 42 goals in 30 league games. It is the season of a lifetime for any player. For Lionel Messi, it's business as usual.
Despite Barcelona's managerial problems and uncertainty over the club's future when Messi leaves, the Argentine forward is playing some unstoppable and exciting football as ever, having recently scored his 700th career goal. Messi has 27 goals and 24 assists in all competitions and is hoping to lead Barcelona to their first Champions League title since their triple victory in the 2014–15 season. Messi is also the most recent player to win the Ballon d'Or, beating Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk by barely seven points.
Football as usual and recently scored his 700th career goal.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo: As long as he's around, he'll be at the top of the list. Cristiano Ronaldo is 35 years old, playing in Italy for his second year, and still racking up absurd numbers in front of goals. Ronaldo has contributed to half of all Juventus goals this season, with 28 goals and 6 assists in 28 games played in the league and a total of 39 goals in all competitions. He is currently challenging Lazio's Ciro Immobile for Capoccanonire (Serie A top scorer) and has been Juventus' star player in a title-winning campaign. After winning the Champions League with both his former clubs, Ronaldo will look to complete his individual treble this season when the tournament resumes in August.
Even more impressive is that Ronaldo manages a goal in league with less help from his teammates than before. Of the 20 teams in Serie A, Juventus are ranked 16th this season and 14th in both precision crosses and assists from crosses. Ronaldo has the most goals in football history, so his lack of passing ability has made a significant dent in his goal count this season. Nevertheless, he is still behind the leading scorer.
3. Neymar: Despite battling an injury this season and having not played since early March, due to Ligue 1's decision to end the season early rather than resuming play after the lockdown, Neymar Jr. Comes third on my list. This should point out how incredible the Brazilian winger is when it comes to fit. In only 15 league games this season, Neymar scored 13 goals and made 6 assists. In 22 games in all competitions, those numbers increase to 18 goals and 10 assists. In his three seasons at Paris Saint-Germain, Neymar has managed nothing close to a perfect fit season, but his world-class potential is as clear as day whenever he is on the field. Messi, Ronaldo, and injuries are the only reason Neymar hasn't won the Ballon d'Or. Without those three factors, Neymar would easily be a contender for the best player of all time, if not a shoo-in.
Apart from the Ballon d'Or, Neymar's next goal is to win the Champions League with PSG. After beating Borussia Dortmund on aggregate in the round of 16, Neymar would be fit and hungry for the title in the quarter-finals of the tournament.
4. Robert Lewandowski: Bayern Munich's world-class frontman ended his sixth season with the club and his tenth season in the Bundesliga altogether, helping Bayern win their 8th consecutive title. And at 31, Robert Lewandowski had his best season yet. Lewandowski won the Bundesliga top scorer award for the fifth time, scoring 34 goals in 31 matches. He failed to score in only six games throughout the season, recording seven braces and a hat-trick. He scored 51 goals and 6 assists in 43 games in all competitions, including two in the DFB Pokal final, which Bayern recently won. Those numbers are also likely to rise in August when the Champions League resumes in Lisbon, as Lewandowski has scored in every Champions League game this season.
After such an incredible season, Robert Lewandowski is well in talks for the 2020 Ballon d'Or. It looks well within reach for the Polish international, as Bayern Munich is widely regarded as the favorite to lift the trophy. In fact, the decision could be somewhat simpler if Lewandowski can continue his incredible form and, in turn, help Bayern Munich win the Champions League and become the second European side to win the continental treble twice.is
5. Kylian Mbappe: Mbappe is second only to Lewandowski on my list because of his youth and the fact that he hasn't played since March. However, the 21-year-old Frenchman could top the list in a few years, as his stats and abilities are absolutely and objectively excellent. Already a World Cup winner and four-time Ligue 1 winner with a goal in the final, Mbappe's trophy cabinet will continue to expand. Slightly affected by injury this season, Mbappe still scored 18 goals and made 7 assists in the 20 league games. In all competitions, he scored 47 combined goals and assists in 33 games. These are Messi's numbers; these are Ronaldo's numbers; these are Mbappe's numbers.
Unfortunately, with Ligue 1 coming to an abrupt end, Mbappé will most likely be an outsider for the 2020 Ballon d'Or. However, if he can win his and PSG's first Champions League title in August with Neymar's help, of course, he can jump back into the talks.
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