'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan, Belgium)
While the man from Barcelona is the favourite to win the Ballon d'Or, he will face a few intense challenges from some of Europe's most impressive players. Romelu Lukaku has been nothing short of exceptional for Inter Milan over the past year and effectively won them a historic Scudetto last season.
Lukaku was also Belgium's most prolific goalscorer at Euro 2020 with four goals in five appearances. While the Red Devils' campaign came to a premature end, Lukaku was one of the tournament's best players and was at his inspirational best.
The Inter Milan hitman bagged 24 goals and 11 assists in the Serie A and blossomed under the guidance of Antonio Conte. The Nerazzurri have broken Juventus' stranglehold on the Serie A and Lukaku's incredible efforts could see him pull off a Ballon d'Or coup this year.
#2 N'Golo Kante (Chelsea, France)
A team aspiring to conquer Europe and win the UEFA Champions League needs a unique brand of matchwinners who do not know when to quit. Luckily for Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea, N'Golo Kante has already become the perfect man for the job.
Chelsea stunned some of the continent's biggest teams to win their second Champions League trophy this year and Kante stepped up with stellar performances in the semi-finals and the final. The Frenchman is renowned for his lungs of steel and his incredible stamina and tenacity came to the fore as Chelsea overpowered Manchester City to win Europe's most coveted trophy.
N'Golo Kante's heroics with Chelsea give him an edge in the Ballon d'Or race but France's lack of success at Euro 2020 could work against him this year. The Blues midfielder is one of the best players in Europe in his position and remains a Ballon d'Or contender this year.
#1 Jorginho (Chelsea, Italy)
If the Ballon d'Or was decided on silverware alone, Jorginho would arguably be the frontrunner for the award this year. The Italian maestro has been brilliant for both Chelsea and Italy and has established his status as a world-class midfielder by winning both the UEFA Champions League and the Euro 2020 this year.
Jorginho is a talented deep-lying midfielder and players of his profile have not been regulars on the Ballon d'Or podium. Luka Modric did edge his more illustrious opponents to the Ballon d'Or in 2018, however, and Jorginho could potentially add another feather to his cap in 2021.
The Chelsea playmaker also spearheaded his club's resurgence under Thomas Tuchel and is well on his way to becoming a Premier League great. Jorginho is an exceptional player in his own right and is currently one of the only players who can challenge Lionel Messi's claim for this year's Ballon d'Or.
