Lionel Messi is world's best forward as Liverpool's Mohamed Salah sits in Tier 3

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  • Barcelona icon Lionel Messi

    Let’s not waste wordage – Barcelona’s Lionel Messi is a man apart when ranking the globe’s deadliest forwards.

    This, however, does not mean interest cannot be derived from this list.

    An honourable fight to finish second contains the blooming African duo at Liverpool, in Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane. There are also the sizable gifts of Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar to contend with, plus a luckless figure at Borussia Dortmund who is, thankfully, fit enough for serious consideration.

    Where do these attackers stack up? Take a look in our tiered rankings:

    Here, you can find the tiered rankings for GOALKEEPERS, CENTRE-BACKS, FULL-BACKSMIDFIELDERS and STRIKERS

    TIER 1

    Lionel Messi

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    What more is there to say about the incomparable Barcelona attacker?

    Well, for starters, at the age of 31 – when most footballers are in decline – Messi is better than ever. In La Liga alone, he’s carrying an average Blaugrana to a comfortable fourth title in seven campaigns courtesy of 33 goals and 13 assists in 30 run-outs.

    What hangover, after the frustration and crushing disappointment of Argentina’s World Cup 2018?

    Then there is the frankly insane statistic that in the past five seasons, he’s netted 20 direct free-kicks. Nearest opponent Miralem Pjanic, of Juventus, has 11.

    Not bad for 2018’s fifth-best footballer, according to Ballon d’Or voting…

    Antoine Griezmann

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    The grandiose title of his latest documentary, ‘The Making of a Legend’, may generate derision from traditionalists, but it is not flagrantly aggrandising.

    Griezmann was named man of the match in World Cup 2018’s final, a sodden 4-2 victory against Croatia in which a nerveless first-half penalty put France on their way. Less than two months’ prior, a brace in the Europa League showpiece versus countrymen Marseille helped earn a 3-0 victory.

    No wonder the 28-year-old – who twins technical acumen and a ceaseless work rate to help symbolise Diego Simeone’s ‘Cholismo’ – was courted by Barcelona and then publicly rejected them in last summer’s trite documentary, ‘The Decision’.

    TIER 2

    Neymar

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    For an apt representation of Neymar’s unfettered ability, look past his flamboyance and market-shattering €222 million departure from Barcelona.

    Ignore a substantial 32 goals and 19 assists from 34 Ligue 1 run-outs at Paris Saint-Germain.

    All this has been achieved by the Brazil international, and yet there is the nagging sense of unbridled talent going unfulfilled. This is a 27-year-old phenomenon for whom tier-2 status should be an affront.

    The recurring metatarsal injury that has pockmarked both seasons in the City of Light has been a hindrance. But excessive theatrics during a disappointing World Cup 2018 for Brazil reinforced the image of a coddled man-child.

    Neymar can do more. But will he?

    Raheem Sterling

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    A glorious and inspirational transformation has begun.

    Sterling’s rapid growth under Pep Guardiola’s aegis has made him one of Europe’s most-feared attackers. This new standing will come to the fore when Manchester City chase down silverware in the coming months, plus see England hunt the inaugural Nations League-crown.

    The sight of the 24-year-old ghosting inside and tapping in on the goal-line symbolises the Blues. Individual awards should also follow.

    But beyond the pitch, Sterling stands for something grander – unity.

    At a time when his nation is ravaged by the rigours of Brexit, the Jamaica-born product of a single-parent home and repeat target of unedifying tabloid attack showcases the enduring value of multiculturalism.

    TIER 3

    Eden Hazard

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    A pivotal few months await for the Belgium magician.

    His beguiling seven-year stint at Chelsea looks poised to end, the lure of Real Madrid and Zinedine Zidane finally proving too strong. This £100 million switch to become the creative heartbeat of football’s grandest club would be just reward.

    At 28-years old, Hazard is in his prime. The 13 assists registered in this season’s Premier League is one greater than a combined tally from the preceding three.

    The Silver Ball – for the tournament’s second-best player – was gifted when Les Rouges finished third at World Cup 2018, while he is in touching distance of a career-best season’s goal return at club level.

    It remains a joy to watch one of the sport’s great dribblers in full flight.

    Mohamed Salah

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    Rewind to spring 2018 and Salah was talking the game by storm.

    An astounding debut campaign at Liverpool, infamously ended by a suspect collision with Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos during defeat in the Champions League decider, produced both 44 goals in 52 games and a genuine global superstar. The FIFA Puskas Award for 2018’s best goal and third place in The Best FIFA Men’s Player list attest to the Egyptian’s startling step-up.

    Sublime technique, punishing pace and imperious finishing were in unison.

    These traits remain as Liverpool close on ending 29 years of pain in the top flight, but Salah’s personal returns have diminished – he currently boasts 23 goals from 46 fixtures in 2018/19.

    The 26-year-old is one of the best, but not, quite, yet a true great.

    TIER 4

    Sadio Mane

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    It may sound absurd to speak of a ‘breakthrough season’ from this established performer, but the moniker fits.

    The effervescent and ingenious Senegal forward’s 18 Premier League goals already represent a career-best top-flight tally. There also remain three high-pressure fixtures to fulfil as Liverpool chase down a hallowed first league crown in 29, pained, years that he would have done so much to attain.

    Other highlights include being unplayable at Bayern Munich in the Champions League round of 16, plus netting for his nation at World Cup 2018.

    At 26-years old, the rapier Mane represents a coming force in the world game.

    Marco Reus

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    Is another unfortunate tale unravelling for one of football’s most-unlucky characters?

    The turbocharged Reus was raring to shatter the duopoly of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo when he raced – in characteristically brisk fashion – to a combined 42 goals during 93 run-outs of his first two campaigns at Borussia Dortmund.

    Agonising injuries, however, would deny the now 29-year-old a World Cup 2014 winners’ medal and berth at Euro 2016. When fit, at last, for World Cup 2018, Germany endured a shambolic title defence.

    A consistently available Reus – for the first time since 2015/16 – has fuelled BVB’s ongoing title charge. Yet even this appears to have combusted on the final straight.

    Supreme skills are not, in this case, aligned with good fortune.

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