The Team of the Season from Europe's top five leagues contains some surprises, including a Fulham player

Fans are surprised by the Team of the Season so far for Europe's top five leagues, based on stats, including the sight of one Fulham player.

When it comes to handing out awards at the end of the season, you can't always rely on the stats to decide who should be winning personal silverware.

We all expect Lionel Messi to come away with the trophy for FIFA's Best Player of the Year, when football's governing body hand out their trophies in a week's time.

However, the Argentinian isn't exactly putting up the numbers that he's used to, even with his injury time free kick winner for PSG at the weekend.

Messi is actually one of the players included in the Team of the Season so far, which includes players from Ligue 1, La Liga, Serie A, the Bundesliga and the Premier League.

That's according to stats bods Who Scored and their player ratings for each game, based off stats, which have given the 35-year-old an 8.4 average over the season.

Fans are confused that the former Barcelona star has managed to beat Victor Osimhen to the team, despite the Napoli star's form, beating Messi to 100 career goals, never mind Erling Haaland.

However, it's not the only surprising inclusion in the team, with Fulham's Bernd Leno in goal, ahead of Barcelona number one Marc-Andre ter Stegen, despite the German keeping 17 clean sheets in 22 appearances in La Liga this campaign.

Team of the Season so far from Europe's top five leagues according to WhoScored... 👀 pic.twitter.com/NnPxzE2Hcr

— SPORTbible (@sportbible) February 20, 2023

"No hate but Messi having the best rating by far just shows you can't take that serious," one fan claimed.

Reminding everyone who the top scorer in the continent is, a second added, "How come Haaland isn’t there? Man with the most goals in Europe."

"The love affair for Messi has to stop. A lot of better players out there at minute," a third said on the topic of the World Cup winner.

On PSG players looking out of place in the side, a fourth fan sarcastically replied, "Neymar that amazing centre midfielder."

Speaking about Barca's incredible defensive record, another posted, "Barcelona has the best defensive record in the history of La Liga, till date and there's none?!"

Marcus Rashford couldn't even get in the Premier League's own version of the team, despite his incredible form, so the Manchester United forward had no chance of making this team.