When it comes to the best football players in the world, the 2021/2022 season may have seen a change of guard.Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's godlike aura has begun to wane. Of course, they will always be known for their past accomplishments, for which they will always be remembered as the finest of their era, but they are no longer untouchable in the present.
Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, the new kids on the block, are putting up frightening figures as they try to establish their own unique legacy in the game.
"For the first time in years, if you asked people who they would sign if they could only sign one player in the world, no one would say Messi or Ronaldo; instead, they would most likely say Mbappe, Haaland, Mohamed Salah, Robert Lewandowski." According to Gary Neville,
That is correct. Messi and Ronaldo, now 34 and 37 years old, are clearly not as appealing as they once were, nor is Lewandowski.
But, in terms of on-field performance, have Mabppe and Haaland truly eclipsed their heroes?
Our partners at PlanetFootball decided to find out by going into the stats from each player's club campaign this season.
Obviously, there are numerous variables over a season. Messi has had to adjust to his new surroundings, and Ronaldo has been playing for a United squad that isn't performing well, but we believe their conclusions are a good depiction of where each player is right now.
Stats for Lionel Messi in 2021/2022
Games: 34
Starts: 32
2 further appearances
Goals: 11
Assists: 14
2 penalties were awarded.
261 minutes per goal, 319.1 minutes per non-penalty goal, 114.8 minutes per assist
By Messi's magical standards, it's a disappointing return, though perhaps not surprising given that he's appeared lost on the pitch at his new club at times.
After spent so much time with Barcelona, adjusting to a new team and country was never going to be simple, and supporters may have been quick to judge, with many dismissing him totally.
After all, 25 goal assists in 34 games isn't a bad first season, especially considering he's hit the post more than anybody else in Europe's top five leagues (11).
His final season with Barcelona saw him provide 52 goals in 47 games, and now that he's settled in, the task will be to match those numbers.
Nonetheless, it appears that we have seen the best of the magnificent man.
Cristiano Ronaldo numbers for 2021/2022
Games: 39
Starts: 35
4 further appearances
Goals: 24
Assists: 3
3 penalties were awarded.
134.2 minutes per goal, 153.3 minutes each non-penalty goal, 119.2 minutes every goal or assist
Ronaldo has had a significantly better season in front of goal than Messi, but he loses out in terms of minutes per goal or assist due to Messi's creative influence at PSG.
It's unsurprising that Ronaldo has topped United's goal scoring rankings with 24 goals, but you get the feeling the number might be considerably higher if he was part of a more effective squad.
The Red Devils have been dreadful this season, and despite failing to win a single league match in which Ronaldo did not start, the Portuguese legend has been blamed for the team's poor performance.
Something that, to be honest, is ludicrous. He was brought in to be a match-winner, and he's delivered on that promise – one has to wonder where United would be without him.
Haaland, Erling 2021/2022 stats
Games: 30
Starts: 26
4 further appearances
Goals: 29
Assists: 8
8 penalties were awarded.
82.3 minutes per goal, 113.7 minutes per non-penalty goal, 64.5 minutes per assist
You know a player is a freak when he averages more than a goal per game, and Erling Haaland is exactly that.
His 29 goals in 26 appearances for Borussia Dortmund is a terrifying number for any Premier League team that isn't Manchester City.
And when you consider that he contributes a goal every 64.5 minutes on average, there's little chance anyone can beat Pep Guardiola's team next season if he can keep up his form.
However, after studying the numbers from Haaland, there is one major worry. Despite being only 21 years old, he has played in less matches than any other player on this list.
To say the Norwegian has been prone to injury is an understatement; he's had torn hamstrings, hip flexor issues, and muscular injuries at various points throughout his career.
Kylian Mbappe statistics for 2021/2022
Games: 46
Starts: 44
2 further appearances
Goals: 39
Assists: 26
5 penalties were awarded.
100 minutes per goal
3 minutes per goal (non-penalty): 115
60.1 minutes per goal or assist
Just when you thought Haaland couldn't be any better, Mbappe breaks the record.
You couldn't find a flaw in the Frenchman's game if you tried, so it's no surprise that PSG went to great lengths to keep him.
The 23-year-astounding old's 65 goal involvements in 46 games is incredible, and it seems only a matter of time before he wins his first Ballon d'Or.
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