#4 Lionel Messi
Of course, Barcelona star Lionel Messi will be one of the leading contenders to win the game’s greatest individual honour once again this year, yet the odds on the Argentine adding to his record tally of five gongs appears to be stacked against him. His issue has not been his individual level – he has scored over a goal per game on average – but the fact that Barcelona have faded.
A Copa del Rey is all the team has to show for their efforts this season, and there is little doubt that will count against the 29-year-old. However, he did finish the season as Europe’s most prolific goalscorer, winning the Golden Shoe for the fourth time after netting 37 times in 34 outings for Luis Enrique’s men.
With the big prizes already dished out, though, it will take an exceptional second half to 2017 to see him overtake his rivals.
