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#3 Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain)
The crown prince of football, Kylian Mbappe, has had yet another spectacular season at individual level. However, Paris Saint-Germain have had a rather dull 2020-21 season and stand the chance of finishing the season without major trophies after crashing out of the Champions League in the semi-final stage.
Mbappe has scored 37 goals and provided 10 assists in 43 appearances for Paris Saint-Germain this season. After winning the World Cup in 2018, France will be hoping to build on it and go all the way in the upcoming Euros. Kylian Mbappe's blistering pace and immaculate technique will be pivotal to their chances.
However, it remains to be seen whether or not a single major title will be enough for Kylian Mbappe to win the Ballon d'Or despite all the individual brilliance he has shown this year, including scoring a hat-trick at the Camp Nou and bagging a brace at the Allianz Arena.
#2 Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
Robert Lewandowski was the odds-on favourite to win the Ballon d'Or last year. With a haul of 55 goals across all competitions and the continental treble in his kitty, the Polish international missed out on the Ballon d'Or in heartbreaking fashion after the award was canceled in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Lewandowski's goalscoring form has only improved this season. However, Bayern Munich have not been as dominant domestically or in Europe. They were eliminated from the Champions League in the quarter-finals by Paris Saint-Germain and will have to be content with just the Bundesliga title this term.
He has scored a whopping 43 goals across all competitions for Bayern Munich this term. He has also scored five goals in six games across various competitions for Poland.
There is no striker who is more prolific than Lewandowski right now. The 32-year-old has found the net in all of his last 11 appearances, scoring 17 goals in the process. We wouldn't be very surprised if Lewandowski goes on to win the Ballon d'Or on the basis of individual brilliance alone.
#1 Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
Arguably the most dominant midfielder in the Premier League in recent times, Kevin De Bruyne has been a force to be reckoned with this season as well. With him on the pitch, Manchester City's transition from defence to attack happens in the blink of an eye.
His pin-point passing and impeccable technique make him the most important player in Guardiola's setup. De Bruyne has once again played a big hand in Manchester City's dominance in the Premier League. He could end the season with three major domestic trophies now that City have made it to the Champions League final.
De Bruyne has nine goals and 15 assists to his name in all competitions for Manchester City this term. He has also scored two goals and provided four assists in six games for Belgium.
Kevin De Bruyne could also have a great run with Belgium at the Euros and this might just be the year where he gets the recognition he deserves for all his contributions across the years.
