The best goal contributors from Europes ‘Big Five’ leagues

The ten players on this list have contributed the most goals to their respective teams this season, and their numbers range from rather impressive to simply remarkable.

This sort of list used to feature Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi at the top each season. Now, with those two well and truly into the twilight of their careers, new stars have stepped up to stake their claim as Europe’s best.

The ten players on this list have contributed the most goals to their respective teams this season, and their numbers range from rather impressive to simply remarkable.

 

Karim Benzema

Goals + Assists: 35

 

Ever since Cristiano Ronaldo left Real Madrid, Karim Benzema has shown exactly what he is capable of, and that is absolute class.

He has scored 20+ goals each season since Ronaldo’s departure, but this year is his most prolific yet. 24 goals in the Spanish La Liga, a league high, and has also notched 11 assists, also a league high.

He also ranks number one for goals per 90 minutes, with 1.47.

To make his numbers even more fascinating, let's take a look at his numbers in all competitions this season. 24 goals in the league, 11 in the Champions League and two in the Supercopa de Espana. 37 goals in total this season. Then add the 12 assists he has to it, and he has 49 goal contributions this year across every competition.

All the focus has been on Robert Lewandowski and his incredible goal scoring, but maybe we should be more focused on how many goals Benzema brings to that Real side.

 

Robert Lewandowski

Goals + Assists: 32

 

Speaking of him, Robert Lewandowski comes in at number two on this list with 32 goal contributions.

Lewa’s contribution is more or less impressive - depending on who you ask - than Benzema’s because just one of those is an assist.

He has 31 goals in the Bundesliga alone this campaign, and a whopping 45 goals in all competitions. Absolutely ridiculous scoring numbers.

Of course, this is nothing new for the Polishmen. He broke the league record for goals in a season just last year, setting it at 41. 11 goals to beat that in six games is a tall order, but if anyone can do it, Robert Lewandowski can.

 

Kylian Mbappe

Goals + Assists: 31

 

The chosen one. The next big thing. Next up. The successor to Messi and Ronaldo. All things that were being said about Kylian Mbappe four years ago when he was just 18 years old and starting to breakthrough and show big signs of massive potential.

Now, still only 22, he has shown he is exactly all that. Mbappe has won almost everything a player can win already, bar the Champions League and European Championship. But they are sure to come.

This year won’t end as Mbappe’s most prolific year for goals, but he has adapted his game slightly to get more assists as well as score the goals, and as such finds himself as the French Ligue 1’s second top scorer and top for assists. 

 

Mo Salah

Goals + Assists: 30

 

Around the end of 2021, Mo Salah was wreaking havoc in the English Premier League and had almost everyone calling him “the greatest in the world right now”.

And they weren’t wrong. He still is playing at a high level, with Liverpool needing every ounce of his special ability if they want to beat Manchester City to the league title this season.

Salah is on track to have his most prolific season in the league since his first year with Liverpool, which if you remember, is the one where he broke the record for most goals in a Premier League season with 32.

With 20 at the moment and 22 being his previous second-best in two different seasons, he is surely going to surpass that total.

 

Christopher Nkunku

Goals + Assists: 27

 

This is a name that every FIFA player should recognise. Christopher Nkunku has been brilliant for RB Leipzig this season, winning two Bundesliga player of the month awards and is up for a third one this month.

This year has been his breakout year. Season’s past has seen him as a more one-to-watch player, but now he is solidifying himself as one of Europe’s best.

The 16 goals he has scored this year is almost level with the number of goals he scored in his previous six seasons combined.

 

Dusan Vlahovic

Goals + Assists: 24

 

Dusan Vlahovic had his breakthrough year last season, scoring 21 goals for Fiorentina. He carried on his incredible goal scoring this season for them, scoring 17 goals before moving to Juventus in January, where he has now scored a further four goals to keep him at the top in the Italian Serie A for most goals.

 

Thomas Muller

Goals + Assists: 23

 

Every year, Thomas Muller adds to his already marvellous career. Champions Leagues, World Cups, everything he could possibly achieve domestically. Muller has it all.

Never the big goal scorer but always the most creative and efficient player, he has finished with the most assists in the German Bundesliga for the last two seasons running, and is likely to finish top again this year as he is already ahead by five.

 

Ciro Immobile

Goals + Assists: 23

 

A name which many might not be as familiar with, Ciro Immobile has plied his trade in his home country of Italy for the majority of his career, with only two seasons playing outside of Italy, and has been the star man at Lazio for six seasons now.

He won’t be setting any new personal season records this year, with his 2019/20 season seeing him score 36 goals and get nine assists. But 23 goal contributions is still a mighty good season, and his 21 goals has him tied with Immobile for most in the league.

 

Erling Haaland

Goals + Assists: 22

 

Erling Haaland, one of the most remarkable players on the planet currently. While he is yet to play one full season for a team, what he is capable of when he does play is special.

He missed a big chunk of the season early in the campaign, yet still in his 18 games played, he has 16 goals and six assists.

Any team will be lucky to have him wearing their shirt next season.

 

Wissam Ben Yedder

Goals + Assists: 22

 

The most hated player on FIFA himself, Wissam Ben Yedder is another player on track to have his most prolific season to date.

18 goals on the season, 20 is his best, eight games to go. Surely, he will surpass the 20 mark.