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

#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.