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We're only halfway through 2019 but football's best players have already begun making their picks for this year's Ballon d'Or award.
Luka Modric controversially took home the Golden Ball last year in recognition of his exploits for Real Madrid in the Champions League and Croatia in the FIFA World Cup.
The battle for football's most prestigious individual award is looking more like a two-horse race at the moment with Messi and Virgil van Dijk having emerged as the main contenders to lift the award at the end of the year.
While Messi's goal-scoring exploits have helped Barcelona to a consecutive La Liga title, van Dijk played a key role in Liverpool's outstanding Premier League campaign and their Champions League victory earlier this month.
Also see : Womens World Cup Bracket, Gold Cup Standings, Copa America Standings
Here, we take a look at six of the world's best players who have picked their favorite to win the 2019 Ballon d'Or:
#6 Kylian Mbappe (Pick: Lionel Messi)
Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe has a clear favorite in mind to win the 2019 Ballon d'Or. The inaugural Kopa trophy winner has picked Lionel Messi as the man to take home football's most coveted prize at the end of the year despite Barcelona's grand collapse in the Champions League last month.
Messi has enjoyed an eye-catching season, scoring 36 league goals which earned him the Pichichi trophy as well as the European Golden Shoe award. Mbappe was his closest competitor for the latter but the Frenchman fell short after tallying 33 goals for PSG in Ligue 1.
Despite enduring a heart-breaking loss to Liverpool in the Champions League semi-finals, the 31-year-old finished his campaign as the competition's top-scorer. His overall tally in all competitions comes to a staggering 51 goals.
Speaking of his Ballon d'Or pick at the UNFP awards ceremony in France, Mbappe said, "Messi, despite the elimination (Barcelona were beaten by Liverpool in Champions League semi-final), it does not change anything."
"He is the number one. He has shown he was the best player this year. The year will take us up to December but I’m not worried about him, he is going to play until December."
#5 Kaka (Pick: Virgil van Dijk)
2007 Ballon d'Or winner Kaka believes this year will once again see a winner that is neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo. The Brazilian made the case for a defender to win the award and has named Virgil van Dijk as a key favorite.
Van Dijk has risen through the ranks at Anfield and has received heaps of praises from all corners owing to his rock-solid performances at the centre of the Reds defence.
The Dutchman finished his season with the PFA Player of the Year award and a Champions League medal after Liverpool defeated Tottenham Hotspur in the European final at Madrid.
When asked about his Ballon d'Or favorite, Kaka said, "We will see what happens in the future. Would I give the Ballon d’Or to Virgil van Dijk? I had some discussions talking about it with friends and with my brother and the name we chose is really his."
"He had a great season in the Premier League and won the Champions League playing in a crazy way. We’ll see what the judges will decide but it’s time to reward a defender."
#4 Sergio Aguero (Pick: Lionel Messi)
Sergio Aguero landed in hot water after he made his initial pick for the 2019 Ballon d'Or winner. The Manchester City superstar originally said that the award should go to a Champions League finalist, a statement which disregards Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's contention for the prize. He said, "I think someone who is in the Champions League final should win it."
Fans soon raised questions regarding his pick and have accused the Argentine of blatantly snubbing his national teammate, Messi.
The Premier League winner took to Twitter to clarify his statement on the matter saying, "I don't enjoy having to clarify my statements – but when I'm quoted for things I haven't said, it must be done."
"I'll spell it out then. No one other than Messi will be my pick for the Ballon d'Or as long as he keeps on playing – particularly if he plays like he did this season."
"The question put forward to me was whether I should win the award myself this year. My reply was that I should have reached the [Champions League] final if I wished to deserve it. Couldn't be clearer, and there shouldn't have been room for misinterpretation."
#3 Cesc Fabregas (Pick: Lionel Messi)
Monaco midfielder Cesc Fabregas has picked his fellow La Masia graduate Lionel Messi as the favorite to win the 2019 Ballon d'Or at the end of the year but believes one of Liverpool's players will surely make it to the podium as well.
While Messi has had a scintillating individual season, Liverpool enjoyed a spectacular title-winning season which saw lift a major trophy for the first time since 2005. The Reds won the UEFA Champions League over Tottenham Hotspur after a domestic season that saw them finish only a single point behind eventual winners Manchester City.
On his Ballon d'Or favorite, Fabregas said, "It is very difficult, it might depend on who won the Champions League. Normally, these trophies are appointed to people who win big things. I think Messi won it in 2010 when they only won the league so it is definitely doable."
"I think it is if it is all about who is the best, then Messi is the best. No doubt about it."
"I think Liverpool have had a fantastic season, though. Potentially one of their players could be on the podium, for sure."
#2 Virgil van Dijk (Pick: Lionel Messi)
Virgil van Dijk remains one of the two overwhelming favorites to win the Ballon d'Or this year but the defender has downplayed his chances and has picked Lionel Messi as the man to win the award instead.
The duo went head-to-head in the Champions League semi-finals which saw Liverpool establish one of the best comebacks in Europe to deny Barcelona a place in the finals of the competition.
The Reds went on to win the European title after defeating Tottenham Hotspur in a rather unremarkable final at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.
Speaking to the media after the victory, the Dutchman said, "I think Messi is the best player in the world. He should win the Ballon d'Or."
"So I'm not thinking of that. But if I win, I'll take it. Messi should win it though. He is the best in the world, whether he's in the final or not."
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo
Juventus talisman Cristiano Ronaldo has not picked any Ballon d'Or favorite yet but he has opened up on his chances to win the award for a record sixth time.
The Portuguese forward has enjoyed a successful season for club and country. He finished his debut season with the Old Lady by helping them to their eighth consecutive Serie A title and was named Serie A Player of the Year in the process. The 34-year-old also recently led Portugal to the UEFA Nations League title with a win over the Netherlands.
Speaking of his Ballon d'Or chances this year, the former Real Madrid superstar said, "I’ve won three competitions, I’ve been fine, as always. Throughout my career, there has not been a time when I have played badly and this year has not been different."
"In 16 years the numbers speak for themselves. What else can I do? Do I deserve the Golden Ball? I do not know. I leave that to you, who are the ones who evaluate my performance. I’m not going to value myself."
Ronaldo recently made his case for the award by listing his achievements in the recently-concluded campaign on an Instagram post.
