It may be early days yet, but to keep you ticking over the international break we’ve put together the top ten performers from around Europe so far this season.
Real Madrid and Barcelona dominate somewhat, but there are also appearances from big names at Liverpool, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.
MORE: These Liverpool fans are getting excited by something they’ve noticed about transfer target Adrien Rabiot
There are one or two surprises too, and Cristiano Ronaldo is nowhere to be seen after his slow start at Juventus following his summer transfer from Madrid.
Our top ten is based on stats from the excellent WhoScored, though we’re not including players on their list who’ve played fewer than three games so far this season.
Here are the best statistical performers from Europe’s big five leagues so far in 2018/19…
10) Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
With three goals and one assist for Manchester City so far, it’s been a bright start from Argentine hot-shot Sergio Aguero.
Long regarded as one of the finest strikers in the world, Aguero is showing no signs of slowing down this term, achieving a WhoScored rating of 7.91 based on his displays so far.
9) Jose Luis Morales (Levante)
A 31-year-old Levante forward, Jose Luis Morales has made a fine start to the new La Liga season, scoring three goals in as many games and achieving an average rating of 7.97.
8) Philippe Coutinho (Barcelona)
Just the one goal and one assist for Philippe Coutinho so far, but he’s really looked the business in midfield for Barcelona, finally shining since his January transfer from Liverpool.
It may have taken the Brazil international a little time to settle in, but he’s now got himself a very respectable 7.97 rating for the season so far.
7) Maxi Gomez (Celta Vigo)
A player who looks a prospect well worth keeping an eye on, 22-year-old Celta Vigo striker Maxi Gomez has two goals and two assists in La Liga so far.
The Uruguayan starlet joined Celta last season and now seems to be making his mark, with a very decent rating of 7.98 for the 2018/19 campaign.
6) Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
No surprises here after Sadio Mane’s blistering start to the new season, with the Senegal international scoring four times to lead the Reds’ goal charts early on.
Mane – rated precisely 8.00 – is certainly one of the most improved players in the Premier League in recent times, taking his game to new levels under Jurgen Klopp despite previously looking like playing a mere supporting role alongside Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino – but neither of them make this list!
5) Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
A world class talent, Kylian Mbappe has made another fine start for PSG after his exploits for France at the World Cup in the summer.
Remarkably, the 19-year-old has four goals and two assists in just three games for Thomas Tuchel’s side, so we’re not quite sure why he isn’t higher in this list, with a score of 8.14.
4) Gareth Bale (Real Madrid)
A player who looks reborn after Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure to Juventus this summer, it’s been a fine start made by Gareth Bale.
Whether he can sustain this form is another thing, but the Real Madrid forward has three goals and one assist so far, giving him a WhoScored rating of 8.15.
3) Neymar (PSG)
Another big name, Neymar has four goals and one assist so far for PSG, putting all the media speculation over his future behind him and focusing on his football.
The Brazilian will undoubtedly remain among Europe’s top performers this season, and currently has a WhoScored rating of 8.17.
2) Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
A somewhat surprise name, Karim Benzema struggled for large patches of last season, but looks back to his best now, perhaps also aided by Ronaldo’s exit from the Bernabeu.
The Frenchman has four goals in his first three games, earning him a score of 8.19 overall.
1) Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
And look who’s top, the unstoppable, unrelenting Lionel Messi, who shows no signs of slowing down after another fine start for Barcelona.
He may not have Ronaldo to compete with anymore, but that shouldn’t stop the Argentine finding the motivation to help Barca retain their title.
In just three games, Messi has contributed six goals in the form of scoring four and assisting two, earning him the highest rating in Europe of 8.98.