Football fans had a terrific year in 2022. The beautiful game had a fantastic year, with almost nonstop action throughout and the 2022 Fifa World Cup capping it off.

When we reflect on 2022, we can identify a handful of standout performers who had an impact. While some of the greatest names in the game had a fantastic year in 2022, some others did not have as good of a time.

Sadio Mane (Senegal/Bayern Munich), position 10

In the first half of 2022, Sadio Mane was in outstanding form for both club and country. In the second half of the 2021–22 campaign, he switched to playing centre striker for Liverpool, where he developed into a dependable goalscoring source.

Senegal was propelled by Mane to win the 2021 AFCON championship and earn a spot in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The 30-year-old was also recognised as the “CAF Men’s Player of the Year.”

The Senegal international signed a contract with Bayern Munich in the summer, and so far this season, he has performed admirably for the Bavarians, tallying 11 goals and dishing out four assists in 23 games across all competitions. Sadly, a leg injury forced the versatile attacker to miss the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

#9 Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois, a Belgian.

Thibaut Courtois has performed admirably in goal for Real Madrid this season. His bravery was essential to Los Blancos’ successful run in the UEFA Champions League the previous season. In the grand final of Europe’s premier competition, Courtois displayed performance deserving of man of the match honours.

Courtois has performed admirably for Real Madrid thus far this year. One of the top goalkeepers of his time, he excels in goal. For Real Madrid to to defend their La Liga and Champions League crowns this season, the big Belgian’s performance is essential.

#8: Luka Modric of Croatia and Real Madrid.

Luka Modric is still one of the top midfielders in the world despite being on the wrong side of thirty. He makes playmaking appear as simple as sliding from a log thanks to the timeless Croat’s facile manipulation of space and time.

Croatia advanced to the 2022 FIFA World Cup semifinals thanks to Modric. He was also crucial to Real Madrid’s victories in the Champions League and La Liga the previous year. Undoubtedly among the best football players in 2022 is Modric.

Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium/Manchester City), position seven.

Unquestionably, the finest midfielder in the world at the moment is Kevin De Bruyne. In the first half of 2022, he was in fantastic goal-scoring and playmaking form for Manchester City. For his achievements in the previous season, the Belgian international was named “Premier League Player of the Season.”

De Bruyne’s big contribution in the goal-scoring area greatly aided City’s case in the 2021–22 season because the team lacked a true striker. During his 45 appearances for Pep Guardiola’s team in all competitions last season, he scored 19 goals and contributed 14 assists.

Erling Haaland, who Manchester City later acquired, has proven to be the ideal counterbalance for De Bruyne. In 20 games in all competitions for the defending Premier League champions so far this season, De Bruyne has already contributed 15 assists and three goals.

Vinicius Junior, ranked sixth (Brazil/Real Madrid)

Perhaps the most improved player in the 2021–22 season is Vinicius Junior. Last season, the Brazilian winger for Real Madrid boldly emphasised his advantages and created havoc with Karim Benzema.

His 52 games in all competitions, 22 goals, and 20 assists, helped Real Madrid win the La Liga and Champions League championships. This semester, too, the 22-year-old has continued to draw from his plentiful reservoir of form.

Vinicius has made 21 appearances for Real Madrid this season in all competitions, with 10 goals and 5 assists.

Erling Haaland, fifth, of Norway and Manchester City

At the age of 22, Erling Haaland is a sensation who has already made a name for himself as one of the best strikers in the world. Due to a muscle ailment, Haaland missed much of the first part of 2022 but came back stronger than before.

The summer saw him land a high-profile transfer to Manchester City, and he has been on fire ever since. In 19 appearances in all competitions for Manchester City so far this season, Haaland has tallied 24 goals and four assists.

That includes three Premier League hat-tricks in the first half of the season.

#4 Karim Benzema (Real Madrid/France)

This year, Karim Benzema won the Ballon d’Or for the first time. In the 2021–22 season, he was virtually unstoppable and delivered several game-winning performances, particularly in the Champions League knockout rounds.

Real Madrid defeated PSG, Chelsea, and Manchester City in the Champions League knockout rounds because to Benzema’s outstanding play. Last season, the Frenchman made 46 appearances in all competitions, scoring 44 goals and dishing out 15 assists.

He hasn’t been able to maintain that form during the current season, though. This season, Benzema has made 12 appearances in all competitions, and in those 12 games, he has only scored six goals and assisted one. Due to a hip injury, he also missed the FIFA World Cup in 2022.

#3 Robert Lewandowski (Poland/Barcelona)

For a few years now, Robert Lewandowski has held the record for most goals scored worldwide. For Bayern Munich, he displayed his exceptional shooting in the 2021–22 season, tallying 50 goals in 46 games across all competitions. The seasoned striker furthermore assisted Poland in earning a spot at the FIFA World Cup in 2022.

In the first half of the 2022–23 season, Lewandowski has performed admirably for his new team since joining Barcelona in the summer. In 22 games for the Catalans this season in all competitions, he has so far tallied 18 goals and four assists.

#2 Lionel Messi (Argentina/Paris Saint-Germain).

In comparison to his own high expectations, Lionel Messi’s first season in Paris Saint-Germain was quite dismal. He joined the club in the summer of 2021. But in the second half of the season, Messi did start to regain his form.

He has genuinely excelled during the 2022–2023 season. Messi has been able to leave his mark on almost every game this season while playing in a slightly passive role as a playmaker.

With his astounding seven goals and three assists, Argentina won the World Cup. Messi has made 19 appearances for PSG in all competitions this season, contributing 14 assists and scoring 12 goals. The 35-year-old has already put himself in the running for a seventh Ballon d’Or, which would break the previous record.

#1 Kylian Mbappe (France/Paris Saint-Germain.

In 2022, Kylian Mbappe has made scoring goals seem simple. He ended the 2021–22 Ligue 1 season as the leading scorer with 39 goals and 26 assists from 45 games across all competitions.

He has continued to progress in a similar manner during the 2022–23 season, making 20 appearances for PSG across all competitions and already tallying 19 goals and five assists. Mbappe, who made seven appearances and scored eight goals and added two assists, was one of the stars of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. In the competition, he won the Golden Boot.

The 24-year-old is a true phenomenon, and his hat-trick in the World Cup final is evidence of his unwavering determination to win and his uncanny knack for dominating on any platform.

The post The top 10 football players this year, ranked (2022) first appeared on AYEFOO.IN.