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We are already in the period when footballers get recognition for their impressive performances and achievements during the year and French Magazine, France Football, has released a 30-man shortlist to battle for the prestigious Ballon d'Or award this term.
Just as expected, the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Raphael Varane, Kevin De Bruyne, Luka Modric, Neymar Junior, Antoine Griezmann, Mohamed Salah and Kylian Mbappe were all named among the 30 men while there were also some surprise inclusions, with the likes of Luis Suarez, Isco, and Karim Benzema also making it onto the list.
Following the 30-man shortlist, there will be another 3-man shortlist which will reveal the last 3 players that will compete for the accolade. Therefore, we take a look at 5 candidates who are most likely to make it onto this final list.
#5. Antoine Griezmann
Atletico Madrid sharpshooter Antoine Griezmann was left frustrated after he failed to make it into the final shortlist for the FIFA Player Of The Year award that took place recently and he has come out on several occasions to claim that he also deserves recognition for his exploits within the term.
Considering his incredible performances and accomplishments during the year, there is no doubt the attacker has a high chance of being named one of the finalists for the prestigious Ballon d'Or award this term.
Griezmann had a spectacular campaign with Atletico last season, bagging an unbelievable 29 goals and 15 assists for the Rojiblancos across all competitions and helping the Spanish giants to claim the Europa League before coming back to lead his nation to FIFA World Cup glory in Russia - a competition in which he also recorded 4 goals and 2 assists to his name.
#4. Luka Modric
Croatian International, Luka Modric shocked the football world when he eclipsed both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to claim the FIFA Player Of The Year award recently and there is no doubt the midfielder could also be listed among the finalists for the Ballon d'Or award too.
Modric was without any doubt, the best player during the recently concluded FIFA World Cup tournament in Russia, putting up a lot of strong displays and helping his nation to reach the final of the tournament for the first time in their history as well as claiming the coveted Golden Ball for his impressive performances.
The playmaker also had a great campaign at club level, playing an influential role as Real Madrid cruised to their third consecutive UEFA Champions League win last season and he almost looks like a sure bet to climb the Ballon d'Or podium this year.
#3. Mohamed Salah
A highly talented superstar with plenty of technical skills and an incredible record in front of goal, Liverpool winger, Mohamed Salah is also one of the favourites to be listed among the final 3 contenders for the prestigious Ballon d'Or accolade this year.
The Egyptian was one of the top performers on the planet during the previous campaign, taking his game to an extraordinary level and reaching fantastic milestones following his famous transfer from Roma to Liverpool last summer.
Salah was influential as The Reds made it to the final of the UEFA Champions League for the first time in over a decade, bagging an amazing 10 goals and 5 assists as well as finishing as the top scorer in the English Premier League with a whopping 32 goals and 11 assists to his name.
Apart from winning both the PFA and FWA Player Of The Year awards for his incredible performances last term, Salah was also included among the finalists for the FIFA Player Of The Year award recently and he could as well repeat such a feat during the Ballon d'Or awards this season.
#2. Lionel Messi
Despite being snubbed during both the UEFA and FIFA Player Of The Year awards recently, there is no doubt Barcelona maestro, Lionel Messi remains one of the few nominees that could make it into the final shortlist for the Ballon d'Or award this year.
The Argentine had a great domestic campaign with the Catalan giants last season, consistently producing spectacular performances throughout the term and helping La Blaugrana to claim both the La Liga title and the Copa Del Rey trophy.
Messi was arguably the best attacker on the continent during the campaign, bagging an unbelievable 34 goals and 12 assists in 36 La Liga appearances to claim both the Pichichi trophy and the European Golden Shoe as well as finishing the season with a whopping 44 goals and 18 assists across all competitions.
That, coupled with his electrifying start to the campaign could see the mercurial Argentine climb up to the Ballon d'Or podium on the 3rd of December, this year.
#1. Cristiano Ronaldo
Once again, Juventus talisman Cristiano Ronaldo could be in line to defend his Ballon d'Or award this year when the gala eventually takes place on the 3rd of December. The Portuguese was defeated by Luka Modric during the FIFA Best awards recently and he will be looking forward to beating his former teammate to the honour this time.
Ronaldo was without doubts the outstanding superstar in the UEFA Champions League last season, bagging an amazing 15 goals and 3 assists in 13 appearances to lead Real Madrid to their third consecutive European triumph as well as finishing the campaign with a whopping 43 goals and 8 assists to his name across all competitions.
The winger was also one of the top performers in the recently concluded FIFA World Cup tournament in Russia. Finding the back of the net a brilliant 4 times, he led his nation into the knockout phase of the competition. There is no doubt that all these achievements and performances could help him secure his place among the 3 finalists for the Ballon d'Or award this year.
