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Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated the Ballon d'Or awards for the last 10 years, with each being named the best player in the world five times each - a joint-record.
However, many pundits believe that things may change come this year's awards ceremony, as the gap between the two forwards and the rest of the world's elite players has shrunk considerably this year.
Indeed, although Messi won the LaLiga title last season, scoring 34 goals and registering 12 assists, he was left embarrassed after Barcelona were shockingly knocked out by Roma in the Champions League quarterfinals. He also had a pretty poor World Cup with Argentina.
Furthermore, although Ronaldo did win the Champions League last season with Real Madrid and did relatively well with Portugal at the World Cup, he had a woeful LaLiga season, finishing in third place after winning it the previous season.
The 2018 Ballon d'Or nominees are as follows: Sergio Aguero, Alisson, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, Kevin de Bruyne, Edinson Cavani, Thibaut Courtois, Roberto Firmino, Diego Godin, Antoine Griezmann, Eden Hazard, Isco, Harry Kane, N'Golo Kante, Hugo Lloris, Mario Mandzukic, Sadio Mane, Marcelo, Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Luka Modric, Neymar, Jan Oblak, Paul Pogba, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Ramos, Mohamed Salah, Luis Suarez and Raphael Varane.
There are many great players on this list who have arguably had better seasons than either Messi or Ronaldo. This year is perhaps the best chance some of them will ever have to win the Ballon d'Or, as many of them will be coming towards the end of their illustrious careers.
So here are the five players who are the most likely to snub Messi and Ronaldo for the title of the best footballer in the world in 2018...
#5 Neymar
Many reading this will be surprised to see the Brazillian so low on this list, after all, he has arguably been the third best player in the world for quite some time now.
However, you have to consider the fact that Neymar was injured for much of last season following his world record move to Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona for €222 million.
He also had a disappointing World Cup with Brazil, who went into the tournament as favourites but were eventually knocked out by Belgium.
Nevertheless, the forward scored 19 goals and 13 assists in his 20 games for PSG last season and has 8 goals and 3 assists in 8 games so far this season - insane numbers which prove that he is unquestionably world class.
But there are still players who are more deserving of the Ballon d'Or this year.
#4 Kevin De Bruyne
It should be no surprise to see Kevin De Bruyne on this list. The Manchester City midfielder was instrumental in his club's record-breaking Premier League title win last season, which saw Manchester City become the first side to win with 100 points.
The Belgium international scored 8 goals and registered 16 assists in the league that season but also did so much more on the pitch to ensure that Pep Guardiola's side continued to play amazing football week in and week out. The 27-year-old also helped his national side to finish in third place at this year's World Cup - the highest finish in Belgium's history.
However, De Bruyne failed to carry his side far in the Champions League last season and has only played one game this season after suffering a knee ligament injury in training. Besides, there was perhaps one better player in the Premier League last season...
#3 Mohamed Salah
When Liverpool signed Mohamed Salah for £36.9 million from Roma last year, nobody could have predicted he would have gone on to have the season he did.
Indeed, the Egyptian's last spell in the Premier League was a troubled one, having only scored 2 goals in his two seasons at Chelsea.
However, the winger came back with a vengeance, scoring a record-breaking 32 goals in 36 appearances in the league last season. He also carried Liverpool to the Champions League final, which they lost after he came off injured, showing just how important he is.
The Egypt international underperformed at the World Cup and has not got off to a great start this season, raising concerns that he may have been a one-season-wonder.
Nevertheless, there is still a strong chance that the forward could win the Ballon d'Or for his achievements last season, although there are others who are more likely...
#2 Kylian Mbappe
The19-year-old has quickly established himself as one of the very best players in the world after winning the Ligue 1 title with Monaco in the 2016-17 season.
Since then, Mbappe has joined PSG for an eye-watering €180 million and has registered an astonishing 8 goals and 3 assists in just five games this season. At this pace, the teenager will no doubt go on to have one of the best seasons in Europe.
Furthermore, not only did Mbappe win the World Cup with France in Russia this summer, he became the youngest player since Pele to score in a World Cup final, with his 2 goals in the 4-2 win against Croatia being crucial in securing the victory in Moscow.
Yet, there is just one more player who is perhaps more deserving of this year's prestigious award...
#1 Luka Modric
If anyone other than Messi or Ronaldo is to win the Ballon d'Or this year it has to be Luka Modric.
The Croatian magician has arguably been the greatest midfielder in the world for years now but is often snubbed when it comes to the awards. Statistics don't do Modric justice. Last season, he helped Real Madrid to their third Champions League title in a row - the first time a club has ever done so.
He also had an astonishing World Cup. Although Mbappe did win the tournament with France, he had a word class team around him consisting of the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Raphael Varane, N'Golo Kante and Paul Pogba. On the other hand, Modric was able to carry a nation as small as Croatia to the World Cup final almost singlehandedly - a much more impressive feat.
This may be the last chance for the legend to gain the recognition that has often eluded him. Is there really anyone more deserving of the Ballon d'Or than Luka Modric? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
