Cristiano Ronaldo proved that he shines wherever he goes as he completed his first season at Juventus with 22 goals, 11 assists, and the Serie A title.
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Cristiano Ronaldo was the first person I saw employing a nutritionist, a doctor, a personal physio, and a chef.
He invested in himself to become the best in the world.”
The Serie A Player of the Year also enjoyed a fruitful campaign on the national team front, laying his hands on the inaugural UEFA Nations League trophy as Portugal’s captain.
Frenkie de Jong helped Ajax to a league and cup double before masterminding Netherlands’ run to the UEFA Nations League final with 77 passes per game at 93% success rate.
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It’s important for Barcelona to have players like Frenkie De Jong.
With his talent, and his age, he could become the next Xavi Hernandez or Andres Iniesta.”
Matthijs de Ligt led Ajax to their first UEFA Champions League semi-final since 1997, becoming the youngest ever skipper in a Champions League knockout game at 19 years old.
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My style is similar to Gerard Pique.
I like to carry the ball out from the back. Defensively I’m strong and, like Gerard, I also started as a midfielder.”
De Ligt also became the first teenager with 10 Champions League starts in a single season since Cesc Fabregas for Arsenal in 2005/06, and the new Juventus signing is considered to be the most promising young defender in world football.
Only four players in the Premier League history have registered at least 15 goals and 15 assists in a single season—Eden Hazard is one of them with 16 and 15 respectively in 2018/19.
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Eden Hazard is the star of the future.
He is very good and will get even better. I would bring him to Real Madrid with my eyes closed.”
Harry Kane spearheaded Tottenham’s first ever foray into the UEFA Champions League final, smashing 5 goals in 9 games, while grabbing 17 goals in 28 Premier League matches.
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Harry Kane is the best goalscorer in the world, frankly.
You always loathe to take someone of his ability off the pitch.”
The French prodigy further finished as PSG’s top scorer in all competitions, during which he reached his 100th career goal milestone in just 180 games.
Business as usual for Lionel Messi, who picked up his tenth La Liga title and Barcelona’s eighth in eleven years.
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Lionel Messi reserves the first minutes of each match for ‘interpretation’.
During that time he ignores the ball and takes a walk around the opposition defence, fixing each man’s position in his head. Then, as the game advances, he gets in little by little; by now he knows perfectly where the opponents’ weaknesses are.”
Mohamed Salah scored 27 goals in all competitions as Liverpool claimed the UEFA Champions League trophy as well as the runners-up position in the Premier League.
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Mohamed Salah’s desire to score goals is of the highest level. He’d be angry at me if I were to take him off after 65 minutes or so.
The King of Egypt tied with teammate Sadio Mane and Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubemeyang for Premier League Golden Boot, meaning he has won the award for two straight seasons.
Virgil van Dijk was indispensable for Liverpool’s 2018/19 quests, guiding the Reds to Champions League and Premier League successes with teammates–cum–fellow candidates Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.
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Virgil van Dijk reminds me very much of Mark Lawrenson and Alan Hansen back in the day.
The centre-back went a stupendous 64 matches in all club competitions without being dribbled past, and was recognised with both PFA and Premier League Player of the Year for his indominable presence.
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