Lionel Messi. Number 1 The top two spots are occupied by Argentinians, and there is no much surprise that world player of the year, Lionel Messi , leads the way with an impressive tally of 8 goals and 6 assists in 477 minutes. Barcelona`s phenomenon is the only player in the list with an average contribution for every 40 minutes or less (34.07). Right behind Messi stands his compatriot Sergio Aguero , one of three Manchester City representatives in the top 20. Thus far, the superb striker has justified the 44 million Euro that were paid for him, providing 8 goals and 2 assists in 435 minutes.
Wayne Rooney, the top goal-scorer in the English Premier-League and in the top-20 list, stands in 3rd place with a goal or assist every 49.09 minutes. There is very small gap between the England front-man and his former Manchester United team-mate, Real Madrid `s Cristiano Ronaldo (7 goals and 3 assists, every 49.40 minutes), and even smaller one between the Portuguese and Manchester City `s 26.5 million Euro transfer, Samir Nasri (49.43 minutes). The only Frenchman in this list scored only once so far, but it`s his passing ability that created 6 assists and has given him a top 5 spot.
Barcelona`s Cesc Fabergas (ranked 7), Manchester United `s Ashly Young (12) and Atletico Madrid`s Radamel Falcao (18) are other big summer-signings to enter the list, which is dominated by 8 English Premier-League names.
In 6th place we have a refreshment. Mohammed Abdellaoue, also known as Moa, is far from being a mega-star like the ones ahead of him, but it doesn`t mean he can`t deliver. One of 4 Bundesliga players in the top 20 list, the Norwegian striker of Moroccan descent, bought for 1.2 million Euro last year, is one of the main reasons for Hannover`s great run, providing 6 goals and 1 assist in just 357 minutes. Moa had just one full Bundesliga match this season, and in the last game before the break scored a hat-trick against Werder Bremen before being substituted in the 61 minute. Now that`s efficiency.
The phrase says that the world belongs to the young, but hey, it doesn`t mean that the veterans can`t do something about it. 8th place 29 year-old Rodrigo Palacio, opened his 3rd season with Italian side Genoa in great fashion, providing 5 goals and 3 assists in 421 minutes. 33 year-old Claudio Pizarro (Werder Bremen) leads the 30+ club in 13th place with 6 goals and 3 assist. Joining him are Youssef Hadji (31, Rennes), who at number 14 is the only representative of the French league, and Novara`s Marco Rigoni (31), who returned to the Italian Serie A for the First time since recording only 1 appearance with Juventus back in 1999. He collected 3 goals and 2 assists in 360 minutes and stands in 19th place.
With the top 5 European leagues still at their early stages, it will be interesting to see if these players can hold on to their good start or let others surpass them on the way to glory. We will keep you updated.