European Football's Top 10 Player Performances of the Weekend

There have been many dazzling individual displays and match-winning moments across Europe this weekend.

Unfortunately, so many so, that it would be impossible to do them all justice.

Honorable mentions go to Jeremie Aliadiere (Lorient), Mesut Ozil (Real Madrid) and Vedad Ibisevic (Stuttgart) who narrowly missed the cut.

As for those that did make it, read on to find out why... 

Any stats via WhoScored.com.

Francesco Totti

On Saturday night, Francesco Totti treated the Stadio Olimpico to a performance of the highest caliber, something that's happened on many occasions in his career.

Two first-half goals from No. 10 helped Roma to a 3-1 half-time lead over Fiorentina before he wonderfully set up Pablo Osvaldo in the second half to wrap up a 4-2 win.

The victory, orchestrated by their captain, moved Roma into fifth in Serie A, above their opponents on goal difference.

Lionel Messi

Perhaps predictable, but certainly not debatable, is Lionel Messi's inclusion after his two goals led Barcelona to a 2-1 win over Real Betis.

Not only did they ensure that three points returned to Catalonia, but they ensured that he overtook Gerd Muller's record of 85 goals in a calender year.

It was his second goal which broke the record, but rather than celebrate his achievement, the little Argentine preferred to acknowledge Andres Iniesta's assist.  

Radamel Falcao

It would be impossible to ignore a man who scored five goals in one game this weekend.

So we haven't.

The man known as 'The Tiger' did more than roar this weekend; he hit all but one of Atletico's goals in their 6-0 win against Deportivo La Coruna.

It is a feat even more impressive when you consider not even Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi have scored five in a La Liga match before.

Samir Handanovic

The Inter Milan 'keeper was in top form as his side leapfrogged Napoli into second, after an enthralling 2-1 win at the San Siro.

The visitors enjoyed the majority of the possession and managed to create over 20 chances on goal, with six hitting the target.

When they did find the target, the Slovenian was, more often than not, in their way. A fantastic double save from Goran Pandev and Christian Maggio was particularly good.

Wayne Rooney

The Manchester derby may have been clinched by Robin Van Persie, but it was his strike partner who laid the foundations.

Two first-half goals from the England international had put United into a commanding 2-0 lead at half-time—his second goal the pick of the two.

It is now back-to-back braces in the Premier League for Rooney, after a period where he had struggled to find the net.

Robert Snodgrass

Norwich won 4-3 away against Swansea, extending their unbeaten record to nine league games, but more importantly, this was their first win away from Carrow Road.

Central to the three points at the Liberty Stadium was Robert Snodgrass, a summer arrival from Championship side Leeds United.

He set up two goals in the first half and added the Canaries' fourth from a free-kick, just as the Welsh side were threatening an unlikely comeback

Naldo

Borussia Dortmund have won no shortage of admirers in Europe, but they surrendered three points at home to Wolfsburg this weekend.

The visitors may have conceded twice in their 2-3 win, but they did well to weather heavy pressure, largely thanks to a back four including Naldo.

The Brazilian central defender managed to block three shots and registered his name on the score sheet in the upset.

Thiago Motta

PSG moved back into second place in the league, with Thiago Motta putting in a midfield display demonstrating all his experience.

The Brazilian-come-Italian made an impressive 107 passes, completing 96 percent of them, with two of those being key passes. (via Who Scored)

To crown his performance, Motta added the third goal, as Evian were put to bed 4-0 at the Parc des Princes in Paris.

Manucho

Manucho may be some way of the 40 goals-a-season he promised when he first moved to Real Valladolid, but two against Real Madrid will help.

Unfortunately, his fifth and sixth goals of the season meant nothing as his side couldn't hold out, despite leading both 1-0 and 2-1.

A Mesut Ozil double swung the result in Madrid's favour, but take little away from the Angolan forward's performance.

Fernando Torres

It is amazing what confidence can do.

On Wednesday night, before his goals, El Nino wanted nothing to do with Chelsea's penalties. Three goals later and he was ready to take his first spot-kick in England.

He scored two in a 1-3 win away at Sunderland, only denied a hat-trick by the cross bar, although Juan Mata did score from the rebound.