You have NO IDEA these 6 players are still playing in the top 5 leagues in Europe

If you've been following football for quite a few years, you'll likely recognize some of these footballers. They had graced the pitch for some of the greatest clubs on the planet or became absolute cult heroes. They are mostly forgotten, but you may still catch them competing at the highest level in Europe. Here are 6 players you have no idea are still playing in the top 5 leagues.

1. M'Baye Niang (Empoli, Serie A)

M'Baye Niang celebrates after scoring for Empoli. Source: YouTube

Remember M'Baye Niang? The 29 year old Senegalese forward recently signed for Empoli in the January transfer window. And he's been on fire- he has scored three goals in four matches for Empoli so far; but all of them are penalties. He nearly literally got on fire too, he was in a car crash on his way to training, but fortunately he's unharmed. Nevertheless, Niang had been regarded as one of Milan's biggest talents and a baller in FIFA career mode. He's since had a journeyman career, playing for clubs like Watford, Al Ahli, and Girondins de Bordeaux. If he continues his form at Empoli, a bigger club may come for him one final time...

2. Moussa Sissoko (FC Nantes, Ligue 1)

Moussa Sissoko on the ball for Nantes. Source: Ligue 1 Uber Eats

Moussa Sissoko has been one of the Premier League's best box-to-box midfielders and is also a Newcastle and Tottenham legend. However, he is most remembered for his hand ball that cost Tottenham a goal in the 2019 Champions League Final against Liverpool. After Sissoko left Tottenham, he played a season at Watford before now playing his trade in the Ligue 1 with FC Nantes, where he is close to racking up 50 appearances.

3. Jose Callejon (Granada, La Liga)

Jose Callejon takes a shot for Granada. Source: Quality Sport Images/Getty

Neapolitans will remember Jose Callejon dashing through the flanks for many years to come. The former Napoli and Real Madrid winger now plays for Granada CF alongside many, many more wingers (ha). However, he must be the most experienced of all the Granada wingers. Callejon is known for his hard work and link-up play, providing assists to his teammates and going for powerful efforts himself. However, he is yet to score in the La Liga with Granada this season. Sounds a bit like me playing football... in Touch Football Roblox (hahahahaha), except that I don't go for powerful shots. IRL I play as a goalkeeper, for those who want to know.

4. Konstantinos Manolas (Salernitana, Serie A)

Kostas Manolas on the ball for Salernitana, behind empty seats. Source: SportFace

Manolas, the Greek God in Rome. What a line of commentary. The ancient culture and mythology of Greece and Italy combined with the fantasy of Roma 3-0 Barcelona. And the last goalscorer was Roma's Greek center-back Kostas Manolas. Manolas started his career in Greece before becoming Roma's Greek God, playing 156 times for AS Roma, before moving on to Napoli. He then played at Olympiacos and Sharjah of UAE, before he was signed by Salernitana this February. This team is famous for signing older, proven players towards the end of their careers, like Memo Ochoa, Jerome Boateng, Antonio Candreva, and this guy...

5. Federico Fazio (Salernitana, Serie A)

Federico Fazio calls a play. Source: playmakerstats.com

Federico Fazio is one of the hardest central-defenders in the world. He is known for making bad decisions and getting red cards. Fazio played his trade at Sevilla, Tottenham, and Roma with Kostas Manolas. A Tottenham flop, he was much more successful in the Serie A before getting snubbed by Jose Mourinho. Salernitana then came calling in January 2022, and Fazio continues to play for the club to this day. Imagine a defense with Ochoa, Manolas, Boateng, and Fazio. Back to the 2010s. Marco Pellegrino and Lorenzo Pirola would still probably play over them. Please, Fabio Liverani. Just once would do it.

6. Radamel Falcao (Rayo Vallecano, La Liga)

Falcao celebrates scoring a penalty vs Real Mallorca. Source: The Guardian

Yes, that Radamel Falcao. 'El Tigre' scared the world with his insane prolific records in front of goal. Atletico Madrid and Monaco legend, Chelsea and United flop. (seriously, any signing Chelsea and United make are flops. Except Højlund). Falcao was one of the best real number nines in football in the 2010s, usually bagging 20+ goals a season (except for the 5 goals in 2 seasons with Man U and Chelsea hahahahahahaha). However, after his disastrous season with Monaco in 2018/19, which the club finished an unusually poor 17th and just avoided relegation, Falcao went to Galatasaray and played there for 2 seasons, then transferred to Rayo Vallecano of La Liga, where he unusually wore the number 3, in honor of his deceased dad. Respect, this is what football is all about. Passing up on the iconic 9 he once wore for the 3, a defender's number, to send love to his dad. And he recently scored a penalty to tie the game 2-2 against Mallorca this season. A pure footballer.

You might have seen them play. You might have forgotten them. You might not only know they exist. But here, telling you that Niang, Sissoko, Callejon, Manolas, Fazio, and "El Tigre" Radamel Falcao are still playing in Europe's highest level, if you're having a really bad day, this might just make your day a little better.