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With the Champions League final right around the corner, we are only left with a few hours before the end of the 2018-19 campaign. Together with some of the fiercest battles and unlikeliest comebacks, the season has witnessed a string of scintillating performances across Europe's top five leagues. While the year is only at its half-way mark, much of these performances will play a key role in deciding who will take home the prestigious Ballon d'Or this year.
As predictions for this year’s winner are mounting up, we will, instead, take a look at some eye-catching prospects who could end up in the Ballon d’Or podium. Last year, Luka Modric ended the decade-long Messi-Ronaldo duopoly over the individual award by winning it for his performances in the Champions League and the FIFA World Cup. He was followed by former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo and Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann in the top three.
The decision to snub Messi from the podium stirred up much controversy and was further intensified by his fifth-placed finish behind Paris Saint-Germain ace Kylian Mbappe.
This year, the podium is bound to see some changes with regulars like Ronaldo possibly set to finish outside the top three for the first time in years. This article takes a look at four players across Europe who could finish in the Ballon d’Or top three this year.
#4 Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
If there's one player who has embodied an organic evolution in the last two seasons, it's Raheem Sterling. The forward has had a breathtaking season for Manchester City, proving many of his critics wrong with his spectacular displays throughout the campaign.
The England international played a decisive role in the club's brilliant domestic season, having helped the club to an unprecedented domestic treble win with the Premier League, Carabao Cup, and FA Cup all on the Etihad's trophy cabinet.
The 24-year-old netted 17 goals in the English top flight and five in the Champions League this term. His heroics has earned him the PFA Young Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year awards as well as a place in the PFA Team of the Year.
While City's failure in the Champions League could hamper his chances in the voting process, the former Liverpool star is expected to continue his fine form for the rest of the year, a prospect that could just be enough for a top-three finish.
#3 Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain)
Kylian Mbappe has taken the football world by storm in the last few years and is no stranger to individual awards, having won the inaugural Kopa trophy in last year's Ballon d'Or gala.
The French sensation was also ranked in fourth place ahead of five-time winner Lionel Messi. The 20-year-old was the only player to give the Barcelona captain some competition in the race for the European Golden Shoe this season but eventually ended his campaign without the prize despite having scored a staggering 33 Ligue 1 goals.
The World Cup winner also boasts of having netted four goals in the Champions League despite PSG having been knocked out of the competition in the Round of 16.
Mbappe has played a pivotal role in the successes of PSG and France in recent years and has done it once again with PSG's Ligue 1 victory this campaign. Failure in the Champions League and the French Cup may cost the Frenchman a Ballon d'Or win but he remains a major favourite to finish in the top three.
#2 Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Following his breakthrough debut season with Liverpool, Virgil van Dijk has emerged as the strongest competitor for the Ballon d'Or alongside Lionel Messi.
The former Southampton man has proven himself to arguably be the best centre-back in the game, having established a commanding presence at the heart of the best defence in the Premier League.
The Dutchman, together with the likes of Allison Becker and Andy Robertson, has helped Liverpool concede only 22 goals, which is the best record in the English top flight.
Van Dijk's stature has been of great help to his aerial ability, but it is his composure that has earned him individual prizes like the PFA Player of the Year award.
If Liverpool go on to win the Champions League title on Saturday, the 27-year-old could move from being a podium favourite to a Ballon d'Or winner.
#1 Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Individually, another year of Champions League disappointment is unlikely to overshadow Lionel Messi's reputation as one of the greatest players to grace the game. The Barcelona captain has enjoyed a scintillating individual season with the Catalan giants with insane numbers to back him this term.
The Argentine talisman boasts of having 51 goals and 22 assists in all competitions for his club, numbers that allowed him to easily swoop a sixth Pichichi trophy and a European Golden Shoe.
Messi lifted his first La Liga title as club captain and was heading towards a dream treble until Barcelona landed on the receiving end of one of the best comebacks in Europe. The Blaugrana wasted their three-goal lead against Liverpool in the semi-finals of the Champions League to crash out of the competition in spectacular fashion.
The Spanish champions replicated their performances in Anfield during the Copa del Rey final against Valencia, and lost out on what would have been an acceptable consolation for their European failure.
While his disappointments outside of La Liga may dampen his chances at a sixth Ballon d'Or award, the Argentine will likely return to the podium at the end of the year.
