5 early favorites for Ballon d'Or 2019

The most prestigious individual award in football, Ballon d'Or is presented annually by France Football to the player deemed to have performed the best over the year. The duopoly of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi winning the Ballon d'Or ended in 2018 when Luka Modric deservedly won the prestigious award. Ronaldo came second and was followed by Atletico ace Antoine Griezmann. Kylian Mbappe and Messi came 4th and 5th respectively.

With no World Cup this year, players will be solely judged on there performance within club football. Having said that, some player will get an opportunity to represent themselves in Copa America or UEFA Nations League Finals depending on their countries.

Though currently there are no clear leaders yet with 1/3rd of the current season still left, there are some early favourites for the prestigious trophy.

Below are the five favourites for Ballon d'Or 2018-:

#5 Neymar

Neymar joined Paris Saint-Germain to become a genuine contender for the Ballon d'Or. Despite being injured for the last 2 months, Neymar has had a fantastic start to the season. Having racked up 20 goals and 8 assists in only 23 matches, the Brazillian still has a good chance to win the 2019 Ballon d'Or. PSG are expected to win there domestic league and have a good chance to win their first ever Champions League title.

Having beaten Manchester United in the first leg, PSG is favourite to reach UCL Quater Final. Neymar is expected to return around the first leg of their UCL Quater Final. With PSG defence far from capable of keeping the best teams at bay, they will need to outscore other teams to succeed, and that is one scenario in which Neymar is much better than many of its contemporaries.

Neymar also has a chance to win the Copa America for Brazil as they are the favourites to win the trophy in front of their home crowd.

Matches Played: 23

Goals: 20

Assists: 8

#4 Sergio Aguero

Sergio Aguero, one of the greatest ever Manchester City player, has been superb for the last decade. One of the most under-rated players, Aguero has been nothing less than sensational this season. What may be described as his best season ever, Aguero has scored maximum goals in Premier League until now and is on course to win his 2nd golden boot. Manchester City is currently at the top of the Premier League table, and are still alive in all 4 competitions, with the dream of Quadruple still alive. If City manages to win their first Champions League, Sergio Aguero would be one of the main contributors and would be in a strong position to win the Ballon d'Or.

In summer, Sergio Aguero will also spearhead Argentina's attack in Copa America and would love to win his first International Trophy. If he could carry his current form, this could well be the season for Sergio Aguero

Matches Played: 31

Total Goals: 24

Total Assists: 6

#3 Cristiano Ronaldo

"It is more difficult to stay on top than to get there". This quote doesn't apply for Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo has been ruling the footballing world for the past decade. Having won the joint most Ballon d'Or awards, he is just as hungry to add one more trophy to his personal cabinet. After a successful decade in Real Madrid, Ronaldo made a big summer move to Juventus before the start of the season. In his first season, he became the quickest ever to score 10 goals for the club.

Juventus were beaten 2-0 in the first leg of Champions League Round of 16 and that might have dented his position to a certain extent but one would be naive to rule out Cristiano Ronaldo and Juventus just yet. He will be looking to win his 4th consecutive Champions League, and his first with Bianconeri and stand a chance to win record 6th Ballon d'Or. He would also have a chance to win UEFA Nations League finals with Portugal.

Matches Played: 33

Goals: 21

Assists: 10

#2 Kylian Mbappe

The heir to the throne of Messi and Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe has won almost everything at 20 years of age. He finished fourth in Ballon d'Or 2018 and was crowned the inaugural Kopa Trophy winner in 2018. He also helped France lift their 2nd World Cup in 2018. His speed and accuracy is second to none and barring injuries he is destined to be the next big thing in football.

His chances of winning the Ballon d'Or hinge on Paris Saint-Germain reaching till future stages of UCL and if PSG finally wins the UCL, he would be the firm favourite to win the prestigious Ballon d'Or. With Neymar being on sidelines due to injury, Mbappe has been a force to reckon with. Also having almost won Ligue 1, a good performance in Champions League would make him youngest ever to win Ballon d'Or.

Matches Played: 31

Goals: 27

Assists: 10

#1 Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi finished 5th in recent Ballon d'Or despite having a scintillating season having won the La Liga and the Pichichi. He has a point to prove to himself and everyone else and after a great start to the season is the current favourite to win Ballon d'Or. There are not many footballers that can single-handedly win a match but Messi is at the top of that pile. Barcelona is one of the strongest sides in Europe and is favourite to win La Liga despite there recent struggles. A good performance in the Champions League can help Messi to win the award.

If Messi returns to Argentina duty and can lead them to an unlikely Copa America win and his 1st international trophy, he would surely win a record 6th Ballon d'Or. It won't be easy as Argentina have to overcome teams like Brazil, Uruguay, Chile which are considered as powerhouses in the football world.

Matches Played: 32

Goals: 33

Assists: 15

Edited by Amar Anand