As domestic seasons take a break to allow for international action, Goal takes a look at some lesser-known star performers of the campaign so far…
Getty ImagesAgustin Alvarez (Penarol)
WIth Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani entering the twilight of their careers, Uruguay are crying out for a new generation of attacking players to emerge and take on leadership of the national side.
Agustin Alvarez looks to be just that, with the 20-year-old striker having scored on his international debut against Bolivia in September.
That call-up came off the back of a superb year leading the line for Penarol, with reported Real Madrid target Alvarez having netted 20 times in 32 games for the Montevideo outfit since the start of 2021.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesJulian Alvarez (River Plate)
Hype has been building around Julian Alvarez ever since he made his River Plate debut as a teenager back in 2018, but the forward is now beginning to live up to the expectation.
With seven goals and four assists in 11 league games this season – including a double to beat Boca Juniors in the Superclasico – Alvarez has forced himself into the Argentina squad and is now being linked with a host of European clubs as he prepares to enter the final year of his contract.
Getty ImagesAntony (Ajax)
Having helped Brazil claim gold at the Olympics, Antony has returned to club action at Ajax and hit the ground running in 2021-22.
The 21-year-old winger has been toying with defenders week in, week out for the Eredivisie giants, and though his goal and assist numbers might not be eye-catching, his performances certainly are.
So eye-catching, in fact, that Manchester City, Barcelona and Bayern Munich are all purported to be interested in signing the ex-Sao Paulo star.
Getty ImagesAnastasios Bakasetas (Trabzonspor)
Trabzonspor are one of just two unbeaten teams left in the Turkish Super Lig this season, and a lot of that is down to the form of their star striker Anastasios Bakasetas.
The Greece captain has been in inspired form since arriving from Alanyaspor in January, and so far has five goals and six assists to his name in just 12 appearances this season.
Though no spring chicken at the age of 28, Bakasetas certainly deserves more hype than he currently gets outside of eastern Europe.