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With the 2021 Ballon d'Or ceremony less than a week away, it's business as usual for the world's best players.
Robert Lewandowski sent out a late warning to his competitors by scoring an outrageous overhead kick in the Champions League on Tuesday night. A few hours later, N'Golo Kante and Jorginho put on a midfield masterclass as Chelsea demolished Juventus 4-0.
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi will return to action on Wednesday, with the Manchester City vs PSG game promising to be a blockbuster affair. Mohamed Salah's Liverpool, meanwhile, will look to continue their perfect group stage record.
Several 2021 Ballon d'Or candidates have already spoken about their chances
Ahead of the grand ceremony, which will be held on November 29, nearly all of the top five players on our latest Ballon d'Or Power Rankings have expressed their thoughts on the award.
On that note, here's what five of this year's Ballon d'Or favourites have said regarding their chances of winning the accolade:
#5 Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain)
Although Kylian Mbappe is sixth in our latest Ballon d'Or power rankings, Mohamed Salah, who is ranked fourth, hasn't commented on his chances yet.
While many players choose to play down the importance of the Ballon d'Or award, Mbappe has made it no secret that he wishes to win it at during his career.
"The first collective goal is to win the biggest trophies. But the Ballon d'Or is a goal for any player who aspires to be the best. And I am one of them. But it's too presumptuous to talk about it," said Mbappe in May this year.
The French star was asked about his chances of winning this year's Ballon d'Or award after PSG's thrilling Champions League win over RB Leipzig earlier this year. Mbappe had no hesitation in endorsing his teammate Lionel Messi for the 2021 Ballon d'Or.
"It's a privilege to play with him (Lionel Messi), and it would be fully deserved if he won the Ballon d’Or," said Mbappe.
#4 Jorginho (Chelsea)
Jorginho's presence amongst the favourites for the 2021 Ballon d'Or award understandably caused intense debate in the football community. However, the Italian international has been refreshingly honest while talking about his chances.
The Chelsea midfielder admits that he isn't on the same level as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in terms of talent and goalscoring. However, he also made a crucial point that it is time the Ballon d'Or began recognising excellence across the pitch and not just focus on forwards.
"How could I compare myself to Messi, Neymar or Cristiano Ronaldo? They've got completely different characteristics to me. But, I repeat, it depends on the criteria. It’s not up to me to say if I should win the Ballon d’Or, but it would be an incentive for other players, to show that not only goals are taken into account," said the Chelsea and Italy star.
The criteria for winning the Ballon d'Or award has become increasingly inconsistent over the years, with trophies given more importance than individual statistics.
Jorginho pointed out that he has won the two biggest trophies of the season, Euro 2020 with Italy and the Champions League, which makes him a bonafide contender.
"We all have dreams. But, I'll be honest, it depends on the criteria that the decision is based on. If we're talking about talent then I know I'm not the best in the world. But if it's going on titles, then nobody has won more than I have this season," he added.
It remains to be seen if the Euro 2020 and Champions League winner lands his first Ballon d'Or award this year.
#3 Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
Not many would have expected Karim Benzema to challenge for the Ballon d'Or award ahead of his more illustrious former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. However, the French forward has truly stepped out from the Portuguese star's shadow.
Benzema was sensational for Real Madrid in the 2020-21 season, scoring 30 goals and assisting nine in 46 appearances across competitions. He followed that up with a blistering start to the new season.
He already has 14 goals and eight assists in just 16 games across competitions for Los Blancos. Interestingly, frontrunner Lionel Messi named Benzema as a potential Ballon d'Or winner earlier this year.
Benzema remains positive about his chances of winning the 2021 Ballon d'Or award. Last month, he said:
“Since I was little, I have had the dream of winning the Ballon d’Or, which is the dream that all footballers have. It is true that the most important thing is always the team. But when you help your team to win, when you are involved in important plays, and score a lot of goals, the next thing is to win the Ballon d’Or, which is in my thoughts."
"Of course, I am going to do everything possible. I am going to work as hard as possible to have that great trophy. To hopefully win it one day, and fulfill that dream that I have had since I was a child,” added the Real Madrid star.
#2 Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
Arguably Lionel Messi's only true challenger for the 2021 Ballon d'Or award, Robert Lewandowski has picked up from where he left off last year. The Bayern Munich and Poland star was incredibly unlucky after the 2020 Ballon d'Or award was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
When asked which player deserved the 2020 Ballon d'Or award, Lewandowski was straightforward in his response:
"Me.We won everything we could with Bayern. In every competition - Bundesliga, German Cup and Champions League - I was the top scorer. I think a player who achieves that would win the Ballon d'Or award."
Robert Lewandowski's numbers since the start of the 2019-20 season are straight out of a video game.
The striker has scored a phenomenal 128 goals to go with 21 assists in just 106 appearances for Bayern Munich. This year, though, he doesn't seem to be worried about the award despite being backed by superstars such as Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
Suarez, in particular, had a hilarious response when asked about the Ballon d'Or award.
"Give Lewandowski the Ballon d'Or, damn it! If not, I'll give you mine!" Suarez joked earlier this year.
Lewandowski remains cautiously optimistic on his 2021 Ballon d'Or chances, though:
“I stopped thinking about it too much. It would certainly not help me to think about my chances of winning it, the speculations and the leaks in the media. I prefer to focus on something else," he recently said.
"Maybe when the gala gets closer, I’ll start to think about it. It’s the beginning of November, so there’s still some time. Of course the Ballon d’Or is a great award, but there’s no need to think about it, because I still have a lot to do before and after the gala,” Lewandowski added.
#1 Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain)
It looks increasingly likely that PSG and Argentina superstar Lionel Messi will win a record-extending seventh Ballon d'Or award later this week.
The little magician is a deserving winner after a terrific 2020-21 campaign that saw him register 38 goals and 18 assists in his final season with Barcelona. More importantly, he powered Argentina to Copa America glory, while also being named the Player of the Tournament.
On the verge of making history, Lionel Messi remains calm ahead of the 2021 Ballon d'Or award ceremony. When asked about the award earlier this month, Lionel Messi made it clear that winning an international trophy with Argentina is what gives him the most pride.
“If I'm honest, I don't think so. My biggest prize was what I was able to achieve with the national team," said Messi.
Although he admitted that winning the Ballon d'Or award would be a positive, Messi suggested that he has already achieved the biggest goal of his decorated career.
"After having fought and fought so hard for that (Copa America) achievement, it was the best for all it cost. If the Ballon d’Or arrives. it would be extraordinary. Winning one more, the seventh, would be crazy."
"If not, nothing happens. I have already achieved one of my great goals. I am very happy for what happened. Now, whatever has to happen, will happen,” Lionel Messi signed off.
