'%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)
#4 Kylian Mbappe and Luka Modric
By virtue of their sterling performances in the recently concluded World Cup, Kylian Mbappe and Luka Modric are two other big names warring for the Ballon d'Or this year.
Even before the commencement of the World Cup, Mbappe had demonstrated his true mettle by registering 13 goals and 8 assists for Paris Saint-Germain last season, which are some staggering numbers for a winger. Add that to winning the World Cup with France, scoring in the final, winning Best Young Player and grinding out a headline-generating performance against Lionel Messi's Argentina, and you have a recipe that can land him the Ballon d'Or award.
As for Luka Modric, the Croat would have already etched his name on the 2018 Ballon d'Or (indisputably) had Croatia pulled off a victory against France in the World Cup final. Nevertheless, that didn't happen but by leading his side to an unanticipated runners-up finish, Modric did at least cement his position in the battle for the Ballon d'Or having already got UEFA Champions League under his belt.
