It could be any superstar within the squad, a starter, or a super sub who has that desire to go the extra mile and push the team to a key win. Despite that, consistency is the key here and only a player who does it regularly is recognised as a true match-winner.
Doing this regularly is the key for the making of a legend, and the best footballers in the world generally tend to do it more often than not for their sides. Here is a list of the five best match winners across Europe this term, who have really made a significant difference for their clubs.
#5 Antoine Griezmann (7 times)
The French World Cup winner is one of the most underrated forwards in the world of football and has won multiple titles during his time with Atletico Madrid. He finished in third place in the race to win the Ballon d’Or, ahead of the likes of Lionel Messi, Eden Hazard, and more.
However, he was yet again not given the kind of recognition that he possibly deserved and was brushed aside by the likes of Ronaldo and Modric.
Griezmann has once again shown his worth this season, with the attacker scoring 7 match-winning goals which have helped his team secure some crucial wins in all competitions.
He has always been a match-winner both at national and club level, which is why he has been a target for a host of clubs across the continent.
#4 Cristiano Ronaldo (7 times)
Any list of the very best footballers in the present day has to include Cristiano Ronaldo in it. He has been the most consistent player irrespective of the country he has been in over the years, and the Portuguese international has continued to shine in Italy as well.
He is the top scorer for Juventus and has the highest number of assists in the current campaign. Apart from that, he has scored 7 goals this term which have been winners for the Serie A champs and has already left his mark in Turin.
Ronaldo started off rather slowly at Juve, though he has eventually found form and has been superb since then. He will now want to continue performing at the highest level, as he looks to win the Champions League title with his new club.
#3 Mohamed Salah (8 times)
The Liverpool talisman helped them reach the final of the Champions League last term and has once again proven his worth in the team. He has been scoring a lot of goals in the top flight of English football and other competitions consistently and has produced 8 match-winning goals so far this season.
This has given the Reds an edge in the Premier League and they are serious title contenders. Though the Egyptian international has been criticised at times for not performing in the big games and has also been called a “one-season wonder”, his overall form suggests otherwise.
He has been scoring consistently for the Merseyside outfit, which has seen them stay at the top of the points table. He has also helped them perform well in the cup competitions, though the Anfield based side is still looking to win its first title under Jurgen Klopp.
#2 Alexandre Lacazette (8 times)
The Frenchman was left out of the World Cup winning squad by manager Didier Deschamps for the tournament in Russia, and he has been trying to prove himself ever since. He has done well under new Arsenal boss Unai Emery and has been scoring more often than not.
However, some of his key goals have been match-winners and he has pushed the Gunners across the line on eight separate occasions this term already. Though he is not the top scorer for the North London giants (Aubameyang is), his goals have been more meaningful and crucial in order to get the right kind of results at times and take home all three points.
He has been hard-working and has really put in a shift against opposition defences. Due to this, the fans love him and hopefully, he can really lead the front-line for the Londoners in the years to come.
#1 Luis Suarez (8 times)
The Barcelona main-man has been linked with a summer move away from the Nou Camp in recent times, and could possibly be set to leave. However, despite all the criticism he has been facing in recent times, he has left his mark in the current season for Ernesto Valverde’s side.
He has scored eight times to get his team the win and has once again proved to be a match-winner, despite the likes of Lionel Messi in the side. The 32-year-old Uruguayan international is not getting any younger, yet his contribution has really helped the Barca cause.
The attacker has been an integral part of the Catalan giants’ title-winning squads since he made the move to Spain from Liverpool back in 2014.
Barca are favourites to win the league and are strong contenders to lift the Copa del Rey and Champions League titles. If Suarez can continue to perform the way he has so far, things will only get better for the Spanish giants.
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