'%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)
The 2018/2019 season has been one of the most interesting football campaigns in recent years as it kept football fans glued to their TV screens from the beginning to the end. From epic comebacks to memorable clashes down to magical performances and intense competition across several divisions, the season has produced all.
Having witnessed the spectacular performances of many superstars during the term, we are now at the stage of the season where the battle for supremacy among players hits its climax, with the coveted Ballon d'Or award already in the sights of these fantastic players.
Barcelona captain Lionel Messi is the overwhelming favorite to go home with the accolade this year, thanks to his brilliant performances for the Blaugrana during the term which has seen him record a whopping 50 goals and 21 assists to his name to go with the La Liga title and a prospective Copa Del Rey triumph.
However, he will not be without competition as a couple of superstars are also making cases for themselves to claim the coveted prize with their amazing efforts and achievements. Below we highlight 5 of them:
#5. Kylian Mbappe
Paris Saint Germain attacker Kylian Mbappe deserves a place among the elite players in running for the coveted Ballon d'Or award this year - courtesy of his unbelievable performances for the Parisians across all competitions this season.
Following a brilliant outing with his nation in the FIFA World Cup tournament last year, the Frenchman returned to club football in incredible form, taking his game forward and tormenting opposition defenses with his blistering pace and amazing goalscoring feats.
With 32 Ligue 1 goals to his name this season, Mbappe is currently the second highest goalscorer across Europe's top 5 leagues while his return of 5 goals in the Champions League is nothing short of brilliant. He recently led PSG to defend the Ligue 1 title and will be hoping to continue with his impressive record in front of goal.
#4. Sadio Mane
After living under the shadow of fellow African superstar Mohamed Salah at Anfield during the previous campaign, Senegalese attacker Sadio Mane has finally hit the spotlight this season by standing up at the decisive moments to provide inspiration for his team.
Mane was one of the standout performers in the Premier League campaign, with his return of 22 goals and 2 assists in 36 appearances earning him the Premier Golden Shoe recently. On a combined note, the attacker has wrapped 26 goals and 5 assists across all competitions this term - a prolific output from the ex-Southampton attacker.
Having fired Liverpool into the final of the Champions League once again, Mane will be hoping to lead The Reds to claim European glory at Wanda Metropolitano. If he wins the trophy and performs extraordinarily well in the AFCON 2019 coming up this year, he would definitely have a good chance of claiming the Ballon d'Or award.
#3 Cristiano Ronaldo
It's been another successful campaign for former Real Madrid talisman Cristiano Ronaldo who continues to defy age and his critics while taking on challenges one after the other and proving himself as one of the greatest superstars in the history of the game.
The 34-year-old left the Santiago Bernabeu to experience a different challenge by joining Juventus in the Serie A. In his very first season, the attacker conquered the Italian top flight by winning the best player award in the division, while his return of 21 goals in 31 Serie A appearances ranks him among the most prolific attackers in Europe at the moment.
Ronaldo was also brilliant in the Champions League, recording 6 goals and 2 assists to his name in 9 appearances as well putting up arguably the best individual performance witnessed in the tournament this season with his amazing hat-trick against Atletico Madrid in the Round of 16 stage.
While he wasn't able to lead the Bianconeri to European triumph, he won both the Scudetto and the Supercoppa de Italiano in Turin - a feat that becomes even more impressive considering this is his first year in Italy.
#2 Raheem Sterling
Pep Guardiola's Manchester City is a team built on collective strength featuring world-class superstars in all areas but English International, Raheem Sterling deserves a lot of individual plaudits for his unbelievable performances for the Citizens during the season.
The attacker has taken his game to a whole new level, rising up at the most important moments and producing the spark needed to keep his team firing.
Sterling had one of his most prolific campaigns so far, with a return of 25 goals and 18 assists across all competitions which earned him both the PFA Young Player Of The Year and the FWA Player Of The Year in the Premier League.
Having also tasted tremendous success claiming all of the Premier League, the EFL Cup and the FA Cup with Manchester City during the term, there is no doubt he deserves a spot on this list.
#1 Virgil Van Dijk
Probably the strongest candidate to rival Lionel Messi for the decorated Ballon d'Or accolade this term, Dutch superstar Virgil Van Dijk has had a very impressive season featuring at the heart of Liverpool's defense.
Following his signing from Southampton last year, the centerback has quickly transformed Liverpool into one of the finest defensively rigid teams in European football right now. This season, he has redefined the act of defending with his incredible all-round displays and it is most pleasing to learn that no oppostion attacker has dribbled past him during the campaign.
Having helped Liverpool to progress into the Champions League final, Van Dijk is being ranked as one of the favorites to go home with the Ballon d'Or award this year and he will surely put up a serious competition with Messi for the honor.
