90min's Definitive European Player Power Rankings 2020/21: International Break Special
By Tom Gott
Well, the international break was largely dull and disastrous, so it's time to raise our spirits, and what better way to do that than by ranking Europe's top 15 players right now?
Amid all the positive COVID-19 diagnoses and injuries, we did actually see some impressive individual performances over the past week. We also saw some disastrous showings, but we'll try not to laugh at Germany too much.
This week, we're using quotes from the cinematic magic of 1995.
15. Ferran Torres (New Entry)
"With all due respect, sir, I believe this is gonna be our finest hour." (Apollo 13)
Does it get much better than bagging a hat-trick against Germany?
He's yet to really make an impact at Manchester City, but the whole world knows Ferran Torres' name after this week's showing.
14. Jack Grealish (Re-Entry)
"I do not attempt to deny that I think very highly of him - that I greatly esteem him...I like him." (Sense and Sensibility)
^A direct quote from England manager Gareth Southgate when asked about Mason Mou- Jack Grealish.
Grealish was the Three Lions' shining light during this international break, impressing against Ireland, Belgium and Iceland.
Even if he wasn't good in those games, he'd deserve a spot back in the Power Rankings purely because of that ridiculous flick. Art.
13. Cristiano Ronaldo (Up 1)
“Don't just stand there, kill something!”(Waterworld)
If only Ronaldo could have killed France's chances of topping their Nations League group.
He went goalless this week in Portugal's two competitive games, but when you've got 102 international goals to your name, you're entitled to a week off.
12. Hakim Ziyech (New Entry)
"Who is this person that speaks to me as though I needed his advice?" (Braveheart)
Hakim Ziyech needs no help when it comes to stealing the show. That's all he does these days.
The Chelsea man was in good form when he jetted off to join up with Morocco, and he managed to keep the ball rolling by scoring three and assisting another two this week.
11. Danilo (Up 1)
"Hot entrance!" (Batman Forever)
Danilo's hot start to the season with Twente earned him a maiden call-up to Brazil's Under-23 side, and he managed a whopping three minutes at the end of a win over South Korea. How nice.
10. Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Down 2)
"Enjoy it while it lasts."
"The very words I live by.” (GoldenEye)
I hope Calvert-Lewin enjoyed his stint as England's starting striker, because that position has been taken away from him now.
He did score in the win over Ireland but then found himself back on the bench for the games that actually mattered this week.
9. Son Heung-min (-)
“Isn't everything we do in life a way to be loved a little more?” (Before Sunrise)
South Korean fans probably can't love Son more than they already do, but his two assists during the international break might have earned him even more adoration.
He combined with Bordeaux's Hwang Ui-jo in two straight games to gift the striker a handful of goals, with the second assist proving instrumental in a 2-1 win over Qatar.
8. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Down 3)
"Old people can be so sweet." (Clueless)
39-year-old Ibrahimovic enjoyed a well-earned week off this week. While his team-mates jetted off around Europe, he enjoyed international retirement from home.
7. Mikel Oyarzabal (Up 3)
"To infinity, and beyond!" (Toy Story)
The sky really is the limit for Oyarzabal.
He's been shining for Real Sociedad all season and managed to bag one of Spain's goals in the 6-0 thumping of Germany. The 23-year-old's stock continues to rise.
6. Erling Haaland (Down 3)
"Who you gonna call?...Someone else." (Casper)
Norway had to call someone else this week as Dortmund man Haaland was left out of their international squad through injury.
5. Kylian Mbappe (Up 2)
“I never gave a ticket to a nun before. I gave a ticket to a guy from the IRS one time. Got audited the next year. I'll tell you what, this time I'll let this one slide, but keep your speed down, yeah?” (Dead Man Walking)
There's no keeping Mbappe's speed down.
He made his return to action as a second-half substitute in France's 4-2 win over Sweden, and within 60 seconds of being on the pitch, the PSG star bagged an assist. It's too easy for him.
4. Joao Felix (Up 2)
“The only thing better than blowing up $100bn worth of gold is making people think you did.” (Die Hard With a Vengeance)
Felix may well actually be worth $100bn in gold.
After struggling to justify his price tag for a season, he's looking like a global superstar this year, and his goal against Croatia this week only strengthens his case.
3. Steven Berghuis (Up 1)
"So many freaks out there doing their little evil deeds they don't wanna do...'the voices made me do it. My dog made me do it. Jodie Foster told me to do it'." (Se7en)
Berghuis is so good at assisting people that he could probably convince them to do any evil deed.
He set up a goal in each of the Netherlands' victories this week, ensuring Berghuis' run as the most creative player in Europe continues for a little while longer.
2. Robert Lewandowski (-)
"Old McDonald had a farm, ee-eye-ee-eye-oh. And on that farm he shot some guys...Bada bing, bada bing bang boom." (The Usual Suspects)
Poland shot themselves in the foot when they brought Robert Lewandowski off at half-time against Netherlands as they allowed the Dutch side to roar back and win.
The Bayern hitman created the goal that had Poland in the lead at the break, but it all fell apart without him on the field.
1. Harry Kane (-)
"I am double the worst trouble you ever thought of." (Heat)
Even in Southgate's criminally defensive England side, Kane still manages to make an impact.
Belgium proved too much for him, but Kane's creative side was back out in the 4-0 win over Iceland as he (inadvertedly) set up Mason Mount for the Three Lions' second goal. Even when he's not trying to create, he creates.