'%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,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABgf/2gAIAQEAAAAAnwX/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD/9oACAECEAAAAC//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAEDEAAAAH//xAAiEAABAwMDBQAAAAAAAAAAAAACAQMEAAUhBhESBxMxYuH/2gAIAQEAAT8ADp5IXStweCPmNCYuDrpmPLY9+CDnxRafISVO8WPX7X//xAAWEQADAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATH/2gAIAQIBAT8AVP/EABkRAAIDAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIxAAEREv/aAAgBAwEBPwDkSFK8n//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Romelu Lukaku
The belligerent Belgian striker endured a torrid sophomore season at Manchester United and it was widely suggested that he doesn't have it in him to make it at a big club. Lukaku was still bought by Inter Milan for a heavy sum in the ballpark of €75 million and he has lived up to that price tag and how!
Romelu Lukaku is currently the top scorer in the Serie A and is leading Inter Milan's title charge from the front. He has scored 23 goals from 30 appearances in all competitions this season for the Nerrazurri in addition to five assists in the Serie A.
Lukaku has always been prolific for his national side and he has kept that up and scored five goals from five appearances this season. The 27-year-old's overall game and attitude has improved and he is easily one of the best strikers in the world right now.
Belgium is also one of the favourites to win the Euros this year with a star-studded squad. If Lukaku goes on to win the Euros with Belgium, then he will definitely become one of the top contenders for the Ballon d'Or.
#2 Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes is the most effective anomaly in football. He is a midfielder who is as prolific in front of goal as he is at setting his teammates up to score. Manchester United have not signed a player who has had the kind of effect that the Portuguese has had at the club in recent times.
If Bruno Fernandes keeps this going, he could end up as the top goalscorer and top assist provider in the Premier League by the end of the season. He has scored a whopping 22 goals and provided 12 assists across all competitions for Manchester United this season.
From 25 appearances in the Premier League, the 26-year-old has 15 goals and 10 assists. However, even though Manchester United are second on the Premier League title race, it will take a Manchester City capitulation for the Red Devils to win the league.
Manchester United are still in the FA Cup and Bruno Fernandes needs to win titles to be in the Ballon d'Or race. That's where the Euros come in. Portugal has one of the best sides in the international setup and they're one of the favourites to go all the way in the European championship being the defending champions and all that.
No midfielder in Europe has the kind of numbers that Bruno Fernandes puts up currently and he is one of the dark horses in the Ballon d'Or race this year.
#1 Erling Haaland
Erling Braut Haaland is arguably the most sought-after striker in the world right now. At 20-years-old, Haaland is already exceptional at his craft and he has just entered his twenties. He is an absolute machine and has been scoring some stunners in the Bundesliga and he does that at an incredible rate.
The Norwegian is one of the most prolific strikers we have seen in recent times. In 25 games across all competitions for Borussia Dortmund this season, Haaland has scored 28 goals. He has also provided four assists.
It's rarely that a striker can match his hunger for goals with his technical ability and Haaland has both in copious amounts. If the 20-year-old can keep this up for the rest of the season, then there is every chance that we'll see him somewhere on the Ballon d'Or podium and maybe even at the top of it.
