Top 5 contenders for the 2018 Ballon d'Or award excluding Messi and Ronaldo

The Ballon d'Or is the most decorated individual award in football. Highly coveted and truly rewarding, the award is handed to the player with the most impressive performances and achievements on the planet annually.

Argentine superstar, Lionel Messi and his Portuguese rival, Cristiano Ronaldo have been the most dominant figures in the Ballon d'Or in the last decade, each winning it 5 times. This incredible duo has dominated the award so much that it is very difficult to ignore them when ranking the contenders for the prestigious prize every year. And they have emerged as candidates to claim the 2018 edition as well.

But, as suggested by the recent developments in the sport, these amazing superstars could end up losing their stranglehold on the award this term. In fact, for the first time in the past few years, the Ballon d'Or race has become wide open, with several superstars emerging as strong contenders to claim the prestigious prize.

With their amazing performances and achievements, these players have shown that they are worthy aspirants to be named the best footballer in the world. Therefore, let us take a look at the top 5 contenders for the Ballon d'Or award, excluding Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo from our list.

Honorable Mentions: Harry Kane, Neymar Junior, Eden Hazard, Philippe Coutinho, Kevin De Bruyne

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#5 Mohamed Salah

Salah was one of the most impressive performers in Europe last term

Liverpool winger, Mohamed Salah, was the biggest revelation during last year's campaign. The attacker departed Roma for Liverpool in the summer of 2017, quickly establishing himself at Anfield and producing a lot of incredible performances that took Europe by storm.

He was one of the most impressive superstars in the Premier League last term, bagging 32 goals and 11 assists in the English top flight. He also had a decent European campaign, recording 10 goals and 5 assists to his name in the UEFA Champions League as well as leading The Reds to the final of the tournament for the first time in 11 years.

After 28 years of absence in the World Cup, Salah also helped Egypt to qualify for the prestigious tournament and recorded an incredible goal to his name while representing the Africans in Russia. In a bid to recognize his incredible performances, the attacker was awarded both the Premier League Golden Shoe and the PFA Player Of The Year award, and he also stands as a strong contestant for the Ballon d'Or as well.

All stats via transfermarkt.co.uk

#4 Raphael Varane

2018 remains the most successful year in the defender's career

When it comes to analyzing the achievements of players this term, only a few superstars can compare to the incredible exploits of the French defender, Raphael Varane. The 25-year-old has had his most successful year as a footballer, taking his game to a new level and accomplishing a lot of unbelievable achievements.

First, he had a great campaign at club level, helping Real Madrid to win the UEFA Champions League for a third consecutive year. He also produced a lot of rock-solid performances at the heart of the defense as France won the World Cup in Russia.

Having claimed both the European glory and global success, the France International is definitely one of the fierce aspirants to claim the Ballon d'Or award this year.

#3 Antoine Griezmann

The attacker led his nation to claim the prestigious World Cup trophy in Russia

After suffering a nightmare in the 2016 European Cup final against Portugal, French winger Antoine Griezmann finally succeeded in leading his nation to glory this year. The attacker was one of the most impressive players during the World Cup in Russia, bagging 4 goals and 2 assists as well as guiding France to claim the prestigious trophy once again.

Apart from his international success, Griezmann also had a great campaign with Atletico Madrid. He bagged 19 goals and 9 assists to help the Rojiblancos pip Real Madrid to the second position on the La Liga table last term, as well as leading the club to claim the UEFA Europa League, recording 6 goals and 4 assists to his name in the tournament.

Having produced a lot of incredible performances and tasting success at both club and international level, the Atletico Madrid talisman remains one of the strong contenders to claim the prestigious Ballon d'Or accolade this year.

All stats via transfermarkt.co.uk

#2 Kylian Mbappe

Mbappe was the brightest youngster in the World Cup

French champions, Paris Saint Germain, were confident that they acquired a great player when they successfully lured Kylian Mbappe from fellow Ligue 1 side, Monaco, during the summer of 2017. However, little did they know how successful the youngster would become at a very tender age.

After completing a famous move to the Parc Des Princes, Kylian Mbappe has firmly established himself as one of the most impressive prodigies in the football world at the moment.

Even though the 19-year-old had a great campaign last term bagging 21 goals and 15 assists in all competitions as well as helping the Parisians to claim a domestic treble, it is his performances in the FIFA World Cup that has really made him a strong contender for the Ballon d'Or.

Mbappe was one of the most impressive superstars that featured in Russia, using his incredible pace, electrifying dribbling skills, and goalscoring knack to torment opposition defenses throughout the tournament. He ended up scoring 4 goals, helping France claim the prestigious trophy as well as winning the World Cup Silver Ball award.

With these incredible performances and achievements, who says the amazing youngster cannot win the Ballon d'Or this year?

All stats via transfermarkt.co.uk

#1 Luka Modric

Modric won the World Cup Golden Ball in Russia

The debate for the world best player in 2018 would have been put to bed had Croatian International, Luka Modric successfully led his nation to claim the coveted World Cup trophy in Russia. Despite that, the Real Madrid superstar remains one of the fiercest contestants for the prestigious Ballon d'Or award, by virtue of his incredible performances for both club and country.

The 32-year-old experienced a decent season with Real Madrid last term, playing significant roles as the Los Blancos cruised to their third consecutive UEFA Champions League triumph in May. He also had an impressive outing while representing his nation in the FIFA World Cup in Russia.

The playmaker was at his absolute best in the tournament, producing spectacular displays while anchoring Croatia's midfield and leading the European towards world glory. Even though they eventually lost to France in the final, that was not enough to stop him from being named the best player in the tournament and he could as well, repeat that feat in the Ballon d'Or this year.