Footy Player Rankings: Cavani claims top spot as Salah emerges in November
On the final Monday of each month, theScore ranks the top 20 footballers throughout Europe. Paris Saint-Germain once again dominates the list in November.
20. Milan Skriniar (Inter)
Arguably one of the most underrated signings of the summer, Milan Skriniar has restored balance and order to Inter's once-scattered back line. Skriniar's 2.2 tackles per match outrank all other Serie A defenders with at least seven appearances this season. He always seems to be in the right position to break up plays. - AL
19. Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo)
Iago Aspas' reclamation project continues. Scoring six goals in his past seven matches for Celta, the 30-year-old is firmly in contention for Spain's World Cup squad. It's a mystery what happened several years ago at Liverpool, but that nightmarish experience is now firmly behind him. - AL
18. Duvan Zapata (Sampdoria)
Sampdoria manager Marco Giampaolo has turned the previously one-dimensional Duvan Zapata into a viable two-way centre-forward. His five Serie A goals may seem a modest return, but it's his work off the ball that's made him such an effective player. Giampaolo's pressing system has put the onus on Zapata and Fabio Quagliarella to contribute defensively, and the results have led to a shocking rise up the standings. - AL
17. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Welcome to the Footy Player Rankings, Cristiano Ronaldo! All it took was a string of positive results and a few tallies to get the Ballon d'Or winner into theScore's list for the first time this season. It's safe to assume that this won't be his last appearance. - GB
16. Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli)
The disappointment of Italy's World Cup exit didn't weigh heavily on Lorenzo Insigne. The diminutive Napoli winger was snubbed by coach Gian Piero Ventura, forced to watch from the sidelines as Italy missed its first World Cup since 1958. Vital goals against AC Milan and Shakhtar Donetsk showed exactly what the Azzurri lacked: a genuine match-winning talent who can break the lines and make things happen on his own. - AL
15. Adrien Rabiot (Paris Saint-Germain)
Don't look now, but Adrien Rabiot is quickly evolving into one of football's most reliable midfielders. The 22-year-old's rapid progression is evident from Unai Emery's trust in him - Rabiot is the only PSG player to appear in all 14 Ligue 1 matches this term. If he keeps this up, the club may look to lock him down to a new contract sooner rather than later. - GB
14. Naby Keita (RB Leipzig)
RB Leipzig has Naby Keita to thank for its surge up the Bundesliga table after the Liverpool-bound midfielder scored the winning goal to help last season's runner-up reclaim second place. The goal, his second in successive matches, brings Keita's total in all competitions to five. - GB
13. Dries Mertens (Napoli)
If Dries Mertens were to suffer a long-term injury, Napoli's title challenge would likely crumble. Despite his size, Mertens has even found a way to score with his head. He's the focal point of an electrifying attack which relies on his timely runs and instinctive combination play to pull defenders out of position. Accounting for nearly 40 percent of his side's Serie A goals this season, Mertens can spot a pass and score a golazo in equal measure. - AL
12. Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
A defensive Hoffenheim outfit was the only club to successfully keep Robert Lewandowski off the score sheet this month. Other than that, the Pole carried on as usual, wreaking havoc against opponents and amassing four goals in four games. - GB
11. Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
The historically frustrating experience of watching Raheem Sterling waste chances in front of goal appears a thing of the past. The Manchester City winger continued his blistering scoring pace by adding another three to his name to bring his total to 12 in all competitions, including a career-high seven in the Premier League so far this season. - GB
10. Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain)
The lack of goals might have made headlines had Kylian Mbappe remained in Monaco. Instead, thanks to the wealth of talent around him in Paris, the teenager has been afforded a chance to acclimate himself in the French capital. He's influencing matches with his evolving ability as a playmaker by unsettling defenders with his movement off the ball and delivering key passes in the final third. - GB
9. Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
Other than Feyenoord, there wasn't an opponent that managed to keep Sergio Aguero off the score sheet, as the City forward continued to add to his record total for the club. Granted, he only appeared in three matches, but it's his composure and experience that separates Aguero and lifts him to the pantheon of the the greatest forwards to ply their trade in England. - GB
8. Nabil Fekir (Lyon)
Nabil Fekir has evolved into a complete No. 10 in the first months of the season, inspiring Lyon to third place in Ligue 1. He's contributed to 40 percent of the French side's goals thus far, despite often taking up deeper positions. Armed with mesmerising dribbling ability and fantastic goal-scoring instincts, he's had the confidence to attack space and run at defenders. Fekir's performances have thrust his name into the rumour mill, with Arsenal reportedly interested. - AL
7. Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Although he's now gone five club matches without a goal, Lionel Messi remains a vital part of Barcelona's attack. He's been nearly impossible to defend at times, only lacking the finish. More comfortable in a deeper role, Messi has reached close to 100 touches in recent matches. Those are Xavi-esque numbers. He's completely involved in Barca's build-up play, and his looping ball to Jordi Alba helped his side win a deserved point at the Mestalla on Sunday. - AL
6. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
The hype over Kevin De Bruyne has seemingly quietened since his incredible start to the campaign. Although his impact doesn't necessarily jump off the stat sheet when compared to his opening two months, a majority of the positive opportunities for City continue to go through the Belgian, who surprisingly went without an assist in November but managed to find the back of the net twice. - GB
5. Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
After a frustrating start to the season that saw Eden Hazard miss the opening month, the Belgium star is finally hitting his stride. A shift into an advanced attacking position has produced the type of results Chelsea fans have become accustomed to seeing from their star. - GB
4. Mauro Icardi (Inter)
Mauro Icardi is one of the main reasons why Inter is off to its best Serie A start in club history. With an astonishing 30 percent shot conversion rate, the Argentine has developed into one of the world's deadliest strikers. His goals have single-handedly turned matches the Nerazzurri would've otherwise struggled to win. He's also restored his relationship with the team's supporters, showing more responsibility as captain and a greater desire to track back. - AL
3. Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain)
Neymar's made Ligue 1 look like a playground. Even against defending champion AS Monaco on Sunday, the fleet-footed Brazilian cut through the midfield and did as he pleased. He routinely puts in man-of-the-match performances, and now has 14 goals to his name. There's a lot of speculation about his future, but none of it has affected his game. - AL
2. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
With 15 goals across all competitions, Mohamed Salah has become a genuine goal-scoring threat. Only Harry Kane has fired more shots than the Egyptian in the Premier League this season, showing just how active he's been in the final third. Salah's pace has empowered Liverpool's counter-attack, and more importantly, his once spotty finishing has improved. - AL
1. Edinson Cavani (Paris Saint-Germain)
Football's fiercest celebration was on full display in November. Edinson Cavani's stock has soared in the time since his squabble with Neymar earlier this season, with the Uruguayan striker anchoring one of the world's most talented attacks and wrapping up the month with eight goals in all competitions. - GB
