The Ballon d’Or voting in the past eight years has been all about the two greatest players of the last decade: Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Judging by their fitness, form and showings this calendar year, both of them seem primed to be making another run straight into the Ballon d’Or top 3 once more.
However, at this point in the season, with the news of Messi’s international retirement filtering through and Portugal’s less-than-formidable form in Euro 2016, the newer generation and lesser-known players have, for the first time in years, a clear shot at making the podium at least. We list 4 such players and their cases, provided that events pan out in their favour.
1. Luis Suarez
El Pistolero is probably the big loser of momentum in this frantic summer of international football. An injury to the muscles of his fatigued right leg, which helped him scoop up his first uncontested Golden Boot of his career, ruled him out of contention of appearing for Uruguay in the Copa America Centenario.
He could only watch on in agonised helplessness as his teammates floundered to an ignominious exit in the group stages after losses to Venezuela and Mexico. Such was his situation, in fact, that Oscar Tabarez did not risk bringing him on in their final group game against Mexico when they were losing by 2 goals and needed a couple of magic moments.
The fact that he did not have the chance to achieve anything substantial with his national team is no knock on the rest of his calendar year, in which he has been quite the revelation. Indeed, he has taken the league by storm in a manner reminiscent of the original Ronaldo of Brazil, toppling goalscoring records left and right on the way to scoring 53 goals in 46 appearances for the Blaugrana in the season past.
Fans are now looking to Suarez as the key to Barcelona’s success in attack, rather than Messi, who seems content with maneuvering the ball from deeper central areas and passing on the primary scoring baton to his able shoulders.
Best-Case Scenario:
Germany or Italy win the Euros, while Portugal and Wales are both knocked out by the semifinal stages. Suarez scores aplenty for Barca early next season.
Worst-Case Scenario:
Either of Portugal/Wales reaches the final of the Euros. Bale/and Ronaldo continue in imperious form the following season.
2. Gareth Bale
As arguably Real Madrid’s X-factor this season (alongside Ronaldo when fit), Gareth Bale has forced his way back into Ballon d’Or conversation this calendar year. This is a refreshing change for him after a rather forgettable 2015, when he was vilified for much of Real Madrid’s end-of-season struggles coinciding with his own loss of form.
Although he still refuses to cut his hair (sporting a rather elaborate and more agreeable man bun these days), the form and fire from his aviator-spiked Tottenham days look to have returned to his game.
He has already ensured a quarterfinal appearance for Wales, making them the most successful of the British nations in the tournament. Bale has undoubtedly stamped his mark on the tournament, with his freekicks giving Wales important openers in the games against Slovakia and England.
Their 3-0 win over Russia was ample proof of his overall ability and desire, which he showed when grabbing a third for his team in the 2nd half. With Joe Allen and Aaron Ramsey proving to be their best selves at this tournament, Bale has a little less responsibility on his shoulders now, though he is doing just fine currently.
A run to the final does not look out of sight for Wales, who earned a place opposite to Italy, France and Germany in the draw. If they can beat Hazard’s Belgium and Portugal in the semifinal, one would argue that Bale would earn a place right at the top for Ballon d’Or contention.
Best-Case Scenario:
Bale leads Wales to the final or the Euro trophy, past 3 intimidating opponents. He continues in the same vein in the 2016-17 season for Real Madrid
Worst-Case Scenario:
Wales crash out with a whimper against Belgium and Bale does not get going in the next season.
3. Manuel Neuer
If you aren’t yet convinced that professional football has aliens plying their trade in a world of mortals, Manuel Neuer can make you reflect unfavourably on that particular thought. Blessed with the reach of an NBA shooting guard, the rocket arm of a javelin thrower, the touch of an outfield player and the cool head of a pilot in command, Neuer is a safety valve of a goalkeeper who has redefined the basic role and perception of his job.
It speaks volumes about his dominance at the position that he is the only goalkeeper to ever belong in this conversation for such a length of time as him.
As Bayern Munich and Germany’s most reliable player, Neuer has had a strong season domestically. He bagged the Bundesliga Golden Glove yet again and was also a key part of Bayern’s DFB-Pokal victory over Dortmund on penalties.
With 4 games played and 4 clean sheets in the Euros so far, Neuer has preserved the momentum from the season past. Marshalled by a sturdy back four, Neuer hasn’t had a lot to do but is yet to put a foot wrong in the tournament, and one can only rule his candidature out for so long if he wins these Euros with Germany to make it an enviable international double.
Best-case scenario:
Germany win the Euros without conceding a single goal.
Worst-case scenario:
Germany lose to Italy in regulation time due to an uncharacteristic Neuer error.
4. Antoine Griezmann
While Leicester City as English champions arguably got luck on their side at crucial junctures during the season, Atletico Madrid is the unluckiest team in club football. Despite showing the highest quality of defensive football throughout the league season, they went out of contention with a whimper on the penultimate La Liga weekend and then lost in the Champions League final to arch-rivals Real Madrid on penalties.
Antoine Griezmann served as the fulcrum of this amazing team’s attack all season long, and one gets the impression that barring a few botched penalties, his performances for the Rojiblancos deserve to be placed right up there with those of the more glamorous Barca, Bayern and Real players.
In the Euros, however, Griezmann has proved his mettle as probably the continent’s most effective free-roaming forward alongside Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo. Adding to his impressive haul of 32 goals during the season for Atleti, Griezmann was instrumental in France’s win over Ireland in the knockouts and was also their best player other than Payet in game against Switzerland.
As a complete package, his comprehensively complete skillset could help France past any team currently in the competition. As he’s run into top form at the right moment in the knockouts, one can expect more fireworks from the diminutive speedster.
Best-case scenario:
France win the Euros, defeating Germany/Italy on the way, while Griezmann goes ballistic at club level next season.
Worst-case scenario:
France lose to Iceland in the quarterfinals.
