Ballon d'Or 2018: Ranking the 7 prime candidates who can make the final 3-man shortlist

The contest for the Ballon d'Or has certainly spiced up in this week. With the 30-men shortlist announced, now the attention has turned towards those who will be named in the last three nominations. Out of the last three, one of them will ultimately triumph over all. In the 30 men shortlist, there are a couple of dark horses who might surprise us. Hence, there is a lot of excitement among the football fans regarding the players who might make the 3 man-shortlist.

In the past, we saw legends like Oliver Kahn, David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, Gerd Muller, Bobby Charlton, George Best, to name a few who have lifted this prestigious trophy and recording their names in the history books. Hence, this trophy adds a lot of value to the career of a football player-- an honour which is given to a few players who have performed exceptionally well in their lifetime.

With Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi winning 5 Ballon d'Ors each till now, there might be a possibility that this year someone else might win this prestigious trophy. There have been many deserving players in the past like Xavi, Iniesta, Kaka, Neuer, Ribery, Robben to name a few who have missed on the prestigious trophy due to the presence of these two incredibly talented football legends of the 21st century.

But with the emergence of new talented players who are catching the limelight currently, the competition for these two players has certainly increased to a large extent. Hence, everyone around the world is eager who will be the ultimate winner this year as it might prove to be a fight between the three players who will be nominated to contest for this award.

Let us rank the seven prime candidates who can make the final 3-man shortlist.

#7 Antoine Griezmann

Club Atletico de Madrid v Club Brugge - UEFA Champions League Group A

Antoine Griezmann has established himself into one of the top strikers in Europe. Due to his athleticism, dribbles, cool finishing and flair, he is one of the most sought players in the transfer market in the last couple of seasons. Having helped Atletico Madrid win the Europa League title last season, Griezmann will certainly be looking to help them win La Liga title success this season.

With the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus in this summer, Griezmann has replaced him as Messi's competitor in La Liga. Griezmann also played a crucial role in France's success at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Being their top goalscorer in the tournament, his goals in the latter part of the tournament bore rich dividends for the French National team.

Hence, Griezmann deserves to be one of the top contenders to make it to the 3 man-shortlist.

#6 Kylian Mbappe

Liverpool v Paris Saint-Germain - UEFA Champions League Group C

Mbappe is currently the most talented youngster in the world. As was seen in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, his potential is limitless and hence is expected to become a world-class player in the future. Being one of the fastest players in the world, Mbappe with his pace and dribbles can easily create havoc in the opposition defence and is also quite a good finisher for his team.

Mbappe was one of the key players in France's success at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. His performance particularly against Argentina in the Round of 16 was spectacular and earned him the applause of many football fans all around the world. He was rightfully given the FIFA Best Young Player Award for his wonderful performances throughout the tournament.

He has also formed a dangerous attacking partnership with both Neymar and Cavani at PSG. Hence, Mbappe is a worthy candidate to be nominated in the three man-shortlist for the Ballon d'Or Award.

#5 Eden Hazard

Hazard has been in marvellous form for Chelsea in all the matches he has played in the ongoing season. His presence makes Chelsea look a completely different team and have a more attacking intent in their style of play.

His flair on the ball, technical skills, and dribbling capabilities have been compared with those shown by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. If he keeps on performing like this, there is a good chance in the future that he might become the best player in the world.

In the International arena too, Hazard won the FIFA Silver Ball for his superb performance for Belgium at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He successfully led his team to bag the 3rd place in the tournament. Hence, both his performance for Chelsea and Belgium makes Hazard a strong contender to make the 3 man-short lists.

#4 Mohamed Salah

Liverpool FC v Manchester City - Premier League

Mohamed Salah has established himself as one of the hottest property in the Premier League with his stunning performance last season. His scintillating pace has helped Liverpool destroy top defences time and again.

He has made Liverpool not just a top team in the Premier League but also in Europe as he led them last season to the Champions League final. Hence, he is now closely watched by elite clubs in the world so that they could try to secure him in the next transfer window.

Having scored 32 goals last season, Salah received the Premier League Golden Boot for most number of goals in a season. This year too he has helped his club to be one of the top contenders for the Premier League title. Hence, his record makes him a good choice to be picked for the Ballon d'Or 3 man-shortlist.

#3 Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo, with his goalscoring record, has certainly established himself as one of the best players in the 21st century. Having won 5 Ballon d'Or awards in his career so far, Ronaldo is one of the firm favourites to win the prestigious trophy a record 6th time and there are only a few players who can stop him from achieving this unique record

Being the top scorer in the Champions League last season with 12 goals, Ronaldo helped Real Madrid win a record 3rd successive coveted Champions League title. Having joined Juventus this season for €100m, Ronaldo's absence has certainly affected their form and prospects this season. On the other hand, Ronaldo has continued his stunning perform for Juventus and hence the Old Lady will certainly benefit from his arrival in the long run.

Hence, Ronaldo should comfortably make the 3 man-shortlist for the 2018 Ballon d'Or Award.

#2 Lionel Messi

Tottenham Hotspur v FC Barcelona - UEFA Champions League Group B

Lionel Messi is a once-in-a-lifetime- player who has captured the imagination of football fans since the last decade. Being the top scorer in La Liga last season with 34 goals, Messi single-handedly helped Barcelona to remain unbeaten in 41 games last season which is a record in La Liga. Despite top strikers like Luis Suarez out of form last season, Messi single-handedly plundered many of the top defences in La Liga.

Having won the Ballon d'Or five times in his career so far, Messi will be looking to increase his tally and prove his dominance to the world. Despite not being able to win the Champions League last season, Messi's performance in the La Liga certainly makes him a top contestant to win the Ballon d'Or this season.

#1 Luka Modric

Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid - UEFA Super Cup

Luka Modric is in top form at the moment and looks quite unstoppable. He has been winning trophies after trophies personally as well as for his club Real Madrid. The playmaker was one of the key players in Real Madrid's 3rd successive Champions League victory last season. He has formed a world-class midfield partnership with Toni Kroos at Real Madrid.

Being the captain of Croatia, Modric played his leadership role with perfection as he helped his country reach the final of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. For his world-class performance throughout the World Cup, Modric was awarded the prestigious FIFA Golden Ball.

Having already won the FIFA Best Player of the Year Award, Modric will certainly look to increase his trophy tally. Hence, Modric is a top candidate to be nominated in the 3 man-shortlist for the 2018 Ballon d'Or.

Edited by Shruti Sadbhav