Vote for the third best player in world after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

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  • Let’s stop these Cristiano Ronaldo versus Lionel Messi debates – for the time being at least. If we remove those supernova stars from the equation, just who is the next best player on the planet?

    This week, we’re trying to untangle who that may be with a week-long series of polls on our Instagram account @Sport360. Head on over there and click on our stories to take part in the votes, where we pit 16 of the ‘next best’ players against each other in a bid to fill that third-place podium.

    Here are our contenders …

    Neymar

    Diving, injuries, off-the-field indiscretions, courting other clubs … controversy is never far away from Neymar. There remains no doubt though that he is one of the slickest operators when he’s on the field. Once considered by many on the same plane as Messi and Ronaldo, it’s up to you to decide whether he’s slipped back.

    Kylian Mbappe

    A bonafide star by the time he was 18, a World Cup winner at 19 … stagnating at 20? There’s no-one deadlier than Mbappe with space to run, but the world really wants to see his talents outside of France – for both club and country. One of the world’s best, but Ligue 1 is perhaps an asterisk against his name.

    Virgil Van Dijk

    Maybe the third best player should be the man who’s pipped Messi and Ronaldo to awards already this year? The Liverpool colossus won the UEFA Best Player of the Year for his role in transforming the Reds’ defence and guiding them to the Champions League title.

    Raheem Sterling

    Sterling took his World Cup goal drought to heart so much that he’s not looked like stopping scoring since. With 39 strikes for England and Manchester City in little more than a year, he’s arguably the best player both his club and country have got.

    Mohamed Salah

    The Egyptian King has found the net 75 times for Liverpool in two-and-a-bit seasons – he’d scored 68 in his seven years as a professional player before he rocked up to Anfield. One of the best left foots in the business.

    Antoine Griezmann

    It was an acrimonious split from Atletico, but however much money Barcelona paid – or were supposed to pay – for him, there’s no doubt the Frenchman is a wonderful weapon in Catalonia. How he copes without being the main man, though, remains to be seen.

    Eden Hazard

    Much like Griezmann, Hazard has made his dream move while at his peak, aged 28. At his best Hazard is an intoxicating mix of dribbling and finishing. He carried Chelsea on his back to the Europa League crown – what can he do for a Real Madrid attack that needs rebooting?

    Paul Pogba

    An enigma, no doubt, but just about as skilful as any player out there. It always feels like Pogba could do more, but take him out of that Manchester United midfield and they scarcely look midtable. What could he do at a club with better foundations?

    Kevin De Bruyne

    Fit again, on fire again. Manchester City appear even more dangerous this year and the Belgian, who missed so much of last season, is almost the only player who could improve them.

    Kalidou Koulibaly

    If you have any doubt over Koulibaly’s abilities, check out his ridiculous headed clearance against Inter Milan last season. Marries incredible physical attributes with supreme defensive intelligence.

    Jan Oblak

    A man who is addicted to clean sheets. The bedrock of Atletico Madrid’s ridiculous defensive record under Diego Simeone. Has kept the opposition out of the net in more than half of his appearances for Atleti.

    Alisson

    Remember Loris Karius? It’s a fuzzy memory for Liverpool fans now the Brazilian is guarding every blade of grass in the penalty box. Calmness personified when operating either his hands or his feet.

    Karim Benzema

    No player has scored more La Liga goals than Lionel Messi – of course – than Benzema with 19 so far, and it’s just September. The silky striker has carried his fair share of Real’s goalscoring burden where so many others haven’t. Time to show him some proper appreciation.

    Marc-Andre ter Stegen

    Manuel Neuer is still Germany’s No1 but it’s about the only advantage he has over his clearly superior compatriot. Ter Stegen has thrown his name into the mix as one of the world’s best keepers with Barcelona – and as such he belongs here.

    Sadio Mane

    Six goals and an assist in six games in 2019/20. Not bad for a player whose team-mate (ahem, Mohamed Salah) doesn’t pass him the ball. When he cuts in with pace, the net tends to bulge pretty soon afterwards.

    Robert Lewandowski

    Sometimes he’s out of sight, out of mind in the Bundesliga as Bayern Munich continue to dominate. You know what else is dominant? His goal record. He is just one goal shy of the 200-goal mark for Bayern and that’s come from just 248 games.

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