Chelsea star puts himself ahead of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar; cast your vote here
Friday 12 October 2018 17:32, UK
Eden Hazard re-iterated his belief this week that he is the best player in the world right now - but is he right? Have your say...
Hazard told Sky Sports News' Gary Cotterill he deserved the tag ahead of Belgium's UEFA Nations League game with Switzerland on Friday, live on Sky Sports Football red button from 7.40pm.
But he added: "You can always improve in football. More goals, more assists. The team is helping me a lot, but I can improve, for sure."
The 27-year-old is the Premier League's top scorer with seven goals from eight games this season, despite starting two matches on the bench.
He also played a significant role in Belgium's run to the World Cup semi-finals, where they were beaten by France before sealing third place with a 2-0 win over England.
The Sky Football team have put together a list of players who have not only made significant individual contributions at domestic and international level this season, but have been recognised for their elite level of pedigree.
Cast your vote below and scroll down for our reasoning on the players nominated...
Eden Hazard, Chelsea
The Premier League's top scorer has shown his world-class credentials at points during his career, but has flattered to deceive at others. Seven goals from six starts in the Premier League this season suggest he has stepped up his game a level, though, and playing a key part in Belgium's World Cup semi-final run emphasises his claim further.
Lionel Messi, Barcelona
Messi has bounced back to top the La Liga goal-scoring charts for the past two seasons, despite losing out to then-divisional rival Cristiano Ronaldo in the Ballon d'Or stakes on both occasions. Even a slow start to the season for Barcelona has not stopped him scoring 11 times, and putting in a masterful performance in their 4-2 win at Spurs last week.
Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool
Van Dijk has been credited as being a big, big part of Liverpool's exceptional start to the season, during which they have shipped only three times in eight games. Jamie Carragher said this week "some people may put him top" of the world's best centre-backs, and Liverpool have conceded less than a goal a game in the 37 matches since he arrived at Anfield in January.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Juventus
After a World Cup where he netted a stunning hat-trick against Spain, moving to Italy seemed to have had an impact on Ronaldo's form early on, and it took him four games to register his first goal. But since then, he's been involved in seven goals in his last six games, and in the only match where he failed to score or assist, he was sent off. So it's certainly been an eventful start for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.
Neymar, PSG
A slow World Cup for Neymar has not spilled over into his club form, and the Brazilian has eight goals in as many league games for PSG this season. Playing in Ligue 1 may not offer the same level of competition as some of Europe's other major leagues, but a goal a game is still an amazing feat.
Jan Oblak, Atletico Madrid
Diego Simeone's Atletico have established themselves as a defensively sound team, but it says something else that Jan Oblak has more clean sheets than goals conceded since 2014/15. Atletico are third in La Liga, but they have let in four goals in eight games, two fewer than anyone else in the division.
Luka Modric, Real Madrid
Modric was named as the best player in the world by FIFA after his heroics in leading Croatia to their first ever World Cup final in July, barely six weeks after playing in Real Madrid's 3-1 win over Liverpool in the Champions League final. The midfielder has also been backed by Hazard to win the Ballon d'Or - even though he thinks he is the world's best player.
Kylian Mbappe, PSG
The world's second-most expensive player has picked up where he left off at the World Cup - where he was named the tournament's best young player - by scoring eight times for PSG already this season in only five league games, as well as at Liverpool in the Champions League. And he does not turn 20 until December.
Antoine Griezmann, Atletico Madrid
Diego Simeone, not known for saying things lightly, called his Atletico Madrid forward Griezmann the best player in the world earlier this month, and team-mate Saul has also come out to say he should win the Ballon d'Or. After an okay World Cup, he has been back to his best for his club, notably scoring twice and setting up the other in Atleti's 3-1 win at Club Brugge in the Champions League.
Philippe Coutinho, Barcelona
After an impressive start to last season at Liverpool, Coutinho took a while to find his feet at Barcelona after his January move.
But he finished the season strongly and after an impressive World Cup, has been one of the few Barca players to really show their best form this season, while the team as a whole has faltered. The Coutinho who lit up the Premier League for Liverpool looks to be back - and showing just how outstanding he is.
Honourable mentions
Mohamed Salah and Harry Kane just miss out after relatively slow starts to the season, although the latter looks to be on the comeback trail now. Robert Lewandowski's okay league form at Bayern Munich also leaves him off the list.
