Who is challenging Liverpool’s Mo Salah for best player in the world crown now Messi vs Ronaldo era is over?

It's a debate that's split swathes of football fans across the globe.

A dispute that has divided people more than Brexit in this country.

For longer than a decade, the question has been prevalent: is Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo the best footballer in the world?

Both players have their staunch supporters. And it’s hard to say who is wrong.

They will go down as two of the greatest to ever grace the game. Some will clamour they're ahead of the likes of Pele and Diego Maradona and sit top of the tree.

However, we’ve come to the point - and it was always going to arrive - where the Messi vs Ronaldo era has come to an end.

It’s widely accepted they no longer lay claim to being the best on the planet, despite still being among the elite.

That crown, many believe, is now held by Mo Salah.

The Egyptian has taken his game to another level at Liverpool this season.

Many might have thought that was not possible given he plundered 44 goals in his maiden campaign at Anfield and netted 31 times last season.

However, his mesmerising goal in the 5-0 thrashing of Watford on Saturday was his 10th of the season, while he has just as many assists in the same number of matches. Truly outstanding numbers.

Jurgen Klopp eulogised Salah after the win, calling him the best in the world. Watford boss Claudio Ranieri concurred. There's not much of an argument against it given the way he's playing.

But, realistically, who else is challenging Salah for the prestigious tag? We take a look.

Robert Lewandowski - Bayern Munich

The striker has perhaps never had the full credit that he deserves despite his wonderful explots.

When it comes to sticking the ball away, he's one of the greatest to ever do it.

Lewandowski was top class at Borussia Dortmund but stepped up markedly when moving to Bayern Munich in 2014.

To date, he has fired 309 goals in 340 outings for Bayern.

At the age of 33, he's showing no signs of slowing down just yet, either.

This season, the Poland international has already scored a wonderful 15 goals in 11 games.

Erling Haaland - Borussia Dortmund

He's been tipped to become the greatest in the world in the future.

But the way Haaland is playing, he deserves to be in the debate right now.

Aged just 21, he's going head to head with Lewandowski for the Bundesliga Golden Boot, with both on nine apiece.

In total, Haaland has scored 13 goals in just nine appearances in all competitions.

Next summer could be when he leaves Dortmund and he'll be coveted by every club in Europe. Who will be able to afford him is a different matter.

Kylian Mbappe - Paris Saint-Germain

In a few years' time, it could be the Mbappe vs Haaland debate that's the hot topic of conversation rather than Messi vs Ronaldo.

Despite the France international wanting a move to Real Madrid in the summer, it's not impacted his performances at PSG.

Mbappe has recorded five goals and six assists for Mauricio Pochettino's side so far this campaign.

Karim Benzema - Real Madrid

The striker has been backed to win this year's Ballon d'Or by Zinadine Zidane given the form he has been in.

It feels like Benzema's been around forever but at the age of 33, he's never been better.

Last season, he scored 30 goals in all competitions as Real failed to win a trophy and finished second in La Liga.

But this term, he's been even more rampant.

Benzema has 10 goals in as many matches as Los Blancos bid for another piece of silverware.