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#3 Gianluigi Donnarumma (2021 Ballon d'Or rank - 10)
The Ballon d'Or has been increasingly criticised for ignoring defenders and goalkeepers. Italy and PSG star Gianluigi Donnarumma's tenth-place finish in the 2021 Ballon d'Or rankings suggests that isn't going to change any time soon.
The keeper enjoyed a tremendous 2020-21 campaign. He helped AC Milan to a second-place finish ahead of Juventus, keeping 14 clean sheets in 37 league games. Donnarumma was named Serie A's Goalkeeper of the Year at the end of the season.
He was Italy's hero during their historic Euro 2020 triumph. Donnarumma helped the team win consecutive penalty shootouts, first against Spain in the semi-final and then against England in the final. He was named the Player of the Tournament for his outstanding displays, as Italy finished with the second-best defensive record in the tournament.
Donnarumma was also terrific for Italy in 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifying, as the Azzurri conceded just twice in eight games. Despite failing to secure direct qualification, Italy boasted the joint-best defensive record among all European nations.
Gianluigi Donnarumma was awarded the 2021 Yashin trophy for best goalkeeper in the world at the Ballon d'Or gala on Monday. He, however, will feel that he deserved more.
#2 Kylian Mbappe (2021 Ballon d'Or rank - 9)
Kylian Mbappe didn't look too impressed after finishing ninth in the 2021 Ballon d'Or rankings. The 22-year-old has been open about his desire to win the prestigious award. He looks set to leave PSG at the end of the season in his quest to finally get his hands on it.
Mbappe, who grew up idolising Cristiano Ronaldo, enjoyed a stunning 2020-21 campaign for PSG. He scored 42 goals and provided 13 assists in 49 games. He has started his 2021-22 campaign in the same lethal form. Mbappe has been the most impressive of the Parisians' superstar trio of himself, Neymar and Lionel Messi. The Frenchman already has nine goals and 12 assists in 19 games across competitions this season.
Despite being stunned by Lille, who snatched the Ligue 1 title from PSG, Mbappe and co still won the Coupe de France and reached the Champions League semi-finals. The real disappointment, though, was Euro 2020. Mbappe had an awful tournament. He failed to score before missing the penalty in the shootout that confirmed France's exit in the Round of 16 against Switzerland.
Les Bleus were the favourites to win the tournament after their 2018 FIFA World Cup triumph. However, they have bounced back from their dismal Euro 2020 campaign by breezing through their 2022 World Cup qualifying group. France also won the Nations League, with Mbappe scoring the winner in the final against Spain. He also netted in the semi-final against Belgium.
Mbappe has age on his side. With a blockbuster move to Real Madrid potentially on the cards, he continues to follow in Cristiano Ronaldo's footsteps.
#1 Mohamed Salah (2021 Ballon d'Or rank - 7)
Liverpool's Egyptian superstar Mohamed Salah finished seventh in the 2021 Ballon d'Or rankings. His final rank was unexpected, as the winger was touted to finish in the top five.
It appears France Football has not placed too much importance on the ongoing season. That's because Salah has arguably been the best player in the world this campaign.
Despite Liverpool's underwhelming 2020-21 campaign, Salah continued to dazzle. He helped Jurgen Klopp's men finish in the top four, thereby qualifying for the UEFA Champions League. He finished with 31 goals and six assists for the Merseyside club across competitions.
The Egyptian has, however, taken it to another level this season, scoring 17 times and assisting seven goals in just 18 games already. If Salah can keep up this form, a top-five finish in next year's Ballon d'Or is inevitable.
He will also be in action at the African Cup of Nations early next year. If Salah manages to lead an unfancied Egyptian team to a surprise win, he might even be the frontrunner for the 2022 Ballon d'Or award.
