Power Rankings: The best players in Europe - April 2023
Welcome to 90min's Definitive European Power Rankings - the series that ranks the best teams and players from around Europe.
Following a month during in which:
- Erling Haaland scored a million goals.
- Kevin De Bruyne bagged a million assists.
- Clubs around Europe played a million games each.
90min's Sean Walsh and Jack Gallagher reconvened and recorded a special players edition episode of our 'Definitive European Power Rankings' podcast series, in which we rank the 10 best footballers in Europe during April.
10. Davide Calabria (AC Milan)
Calabria's performances in AC Milan's Champions League quarter-final clashes with SSC Napoli were simply sublime.
The Milan captain made light work of marking Khvicha Kvaratskhelia for 180 minutes - something no other footballer in the world has managed to do all season.
Jack: "In terms of players who made the most telling contributions in April, I think Calabria is right up there."
9. Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid)
You'd have been forgiven for thinking that Antoine Griezmann was totally washed up this time last year, because - in a lot of ways - he was.
Now however, Griezmann has been the hard work in and become one of the better players in Europe again. He's propelled Atletico Madrid back in contention at the top of La Liga, and we expect he'll propel them far in European competition next season too.
Sean: "He's come out firing this season and reversed his decline."
8. Alexander Isak (Newcastle)
With four goals and one assist in April, Alexander Isak has become one of the Premier League's very best strikers.
If you haven't seen it, go watch his assist in the win over Everton - it was astounding.
Sean: "He's a gorgeous player to watch. He's got everything."
7. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Any doubts about Liverpool's decision top give Mohamed Salah the biggest contract in the club's history have completely subsided following the forward's stunning form in April.
His goals against three of the big six in one month proved just how much a game-changer he still is.
Sean: "I think Salah will be a brilliant player for a long time still. I think his game will age well."
6. Mike Maignan (AC Milan)
Is Mike Maignan the best goalkeeper in the world right now?
Judging by his running performances in April, he might just be.
Jack: "It just never feels like he will concede a goal. He's got that aura about him right now."
5. Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
Ollie Watkins is currently the fifth best footballer in Europe.
That's a sentence you probably never thought you'd read.
And yet, after bagging six goals and putting in the arguably the best individual performance of the Premier League season (vs. Newcastle United) in April, it's fair to say that he is.
Sean: "It felt like he's been scoring every single week for the last six months."
4. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
Three hat-tricks in one month is impressive.
One of the hat tricks coming in a must-win El Clasico in the Copa del Rey semi final at Camp Nou is even more impressive.
Benzema is just that guy.
Jack: "It was a totally complete performance against Barcelona."
3. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
Kevin De Bruyne's uptick in form in the past month has made Manchester City undeniably the best footballing team in the world, and has made the player himself the best midfielder in the world too (if he wasn't already).
The Belgian's five assists and three goals - including three goal contributions in the win over Arsenal - have made City heavy favourites in the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.
Jack: "I don't think any other midfielder is close to him right now."
2. Rafael Leao (AC Milan)
The Portuguese winger has quickly become one of the most talked about players in Europe in April.
And that's thanks to his stunning performances in the Champions League where he's propelled an unfancied Milan team into the semi-finals for the first time since 2007.
Jack: "For me he's the most exciting player to watch in Europe right now."
1. Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
In April, Erling Haaland played seven games of football.
In those seven games of football, Erling Haaland scored eight goals and bagged three assists and broke the all-time scoring record in a single Premier League season.
He's just on a complete other level right now.
Sean: "If Man City win the treble, Haaland probably should win the Ballon d'Or."
LISTEN NOW
On this edition of 90min's Definitive European Power Rankings, part of the 90min podcast network, Sean Walsh and Jack Gallagher run down the ten best players from a gruelling April schedule
If you can't see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!