Super Eagles winger Moses Simon has been recognized as one of the most influential players in Europe’s top five leagues. According to Transfermarkt’s latest ranking, Simon joins an elite group of players, including Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, and Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush.
The ranking evaluates players based on their percentage contribution to their team’s league goals. Simon’s impressive performances for Nantes in Ligue 1 have earned him an eighth-place spot among players in Europe’s top five leagues.
Nantes, currently 14th in Ligue 1 with 24 points from 25 matches, finds themselves just three points above the relegation zone. However, Simon has been a shining star, delivering standout performances that have kept his team afloat.
This season, Simon has registered six goals in the French top flight, second only to Matthis Abline at Nantes. His playmaking ability has been equally impressive, providing seven assists to make him one of the most creative forces in the division. Only Paris Saint-Germain’s Joao Neves (eight assists) and Lyon’s Rayan Cherki (nine) have more.
Simon’s overall contribution to Nantes’ league goals is a staggering 46.4%, making him the most influential player for the Canaries and the highest-ranked contributor in the entire French top flight.
Beyond Ligue 1, Simon ranks among the top ten most influential players in Europe’s major leagues. Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah leads the way with an astonishing 63.8% contribution to his team’s goals, followed closely by Lecce forward Nikola Krstovic with 60.0%. Newcastle’s Alexander Isak completes the top three with a 52.2% contribution.
The rest of the top ten includes Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Tim Kleindienst (51.3%), Osasuna’s Ante Budimir (50.0%), Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush (49.0%), and Nottingham Forest’s Chris Wood (46.7%). Simon’s 46.4% sees him edge out Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins (46.3%) and Ipswich’s rising star Liam Delap (46.2%) to claim eighth place.
Simon’s excellent performances for Nantes are likely to draw further attention from European clubs. The 28-year-old has been at Nantes since 2019, but his displays this season suggest he could be ready for a new challenge.
Reports have linked him with a summer move, with Marseille, OGC Nice, and AS Roma among the clubs credited with interest in the Nigerian winger. On the international front, Simon will also be hoping to carry his club form into Nigeria’s crucial World Cup qualifiers.
Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has included Simon in his 39-man provisional squad, with the former Levante man expected to make the final 23-man shortlist. The Super Eagles face decisive fixtures against Rwanda and Zimbabwe as they aim to secure a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.