Liverpool correspondent Neil Jones reveals his men’s GOAL50 top 10

Edouard Mendy may disagree – and, in truth, the Chelsea man is unlucky to miss out – but Gigi Donnarumma was THE goalkeeper of 2021. Crucial to Italy's Euro 2020 triumph, he also helped AC Milan return to the Champions League before joining the starshow at Paris Saint-Germain. Still only 22, he should be part of this list for years to come.

He may be 34, but Suarez's competitive instinct remains as strong as ever. Discarded by Barcelona, he responded the only way he knows how – by performing on the field. His 21 goals fired Atletico Madrid to La Liga last season. A born winner.

Only a disappointing end to last season's Champions League campaign denied the Paris Saint-Germain winger a higher spot. Mbappe will almost certainly top GOAL50 in the future, though. Only injuries can stop him rising to become the world's best, surely? 

The FWA Footballer of the Year in his first season in England, Dias was central as Manchester City regained their Premier League crown in style. Aggressive, dominant and consistent, the Portugal defender has been a revelation since his switch to the Etihad.

It still feels wrong watching him in a Paris Saint-Germain jersey, but there are few more joyful sights in sport than when Messi does his thing. Won the Copa del Rey with Barcelona and, finally, the Copa America with Argentina. The best ever, for my money.

If Mbappe is a future GOAL50 winner, then so is this guy. A goal machine who will only get better and better. Just look at his record, just look at the goals, look at the strength and the speed and the determination. Then remember he's still only 21. Scary.

The main man as Chelsea flew to a surprise Champions League triumph under Thomas Tuchel last season. Kante was the star man in the quarters, semis and final, proving once again that you don't need to act like a superstar in order to be one. The Frenchman is perhaps the most influential midfielder in world football.

Is there a more underrated player in the world? Benzema has been delivering for Real Madrid for more than a decade, and he's arguably never been as good as he is right now. Has returned to the international fold with France too, helping them to Nations League glory recently. What a player!

One of the joys of this job is being able to watch players like Salah perform, week in and week out. Time and again, he produces moments of breathtaking quality. Never injured, always scoring, forever thrilling the fans who adore him. They don't call him the Egyptian King for the nothing.

It was always going to take a special player to keep Salah off top spot, and that's exactly what Lewandowski is. How prolific, how consistent. Forty-eight goals last season, 22 already this. When you're breaking the great Gerd Muller's records at Bayern, you know you're doing something right. Missed out on the Ballon d'Or last year due to the pandemic, there can be no denying Lewandowski this time around.