'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 N'Golo Kante (Chelsea/France)
After the UEFA Champions League final, there were multiple calls for N'Golo Kante to win the 2021 Ballon d'Or award. However, France's early elimination at Euro 2020 could see the humble Frenchman miss out on the game's most prestigious individual honor.
One of the best defensive midfielders to ever play the game, Kante put on a midfield masterclass in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League to guide Chelsea to a memorable victory.
But a subpar performance at Euro 2020 has seen the Chelsea man fall behind in the race to win the 2021 Ballon d'Or award. Kante plays in a position that often does not get enough of the limelight and it looks unlikely that he will be able to do enough in the next 3 months to claim the top prize.
#2 Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich/Poland)
What more can Robert Lewandowski do? The Bayern Munich man has been in sensational goalscoring form for more than a year now. Unfortunately, it looks like he might just fall short of the Ballon d'Or award once again.
One of the most complete strikers to ever play the game, Lewandowski has taken his game to new heights in the last 2 seasons. Last season, the Polish superstar broke Gerd Muller's long-standing record for the most goals scored in a single Bundesliga season.
If the Ballon d'Or award had not been canceled in 2020, Robert Lewandowski would have definitely won it. This year, however, the Bayern Munich star might narrowly fall short.
#1 Lionel Messi (Barcelona/Argentina)
After winning the Copa America 2021 tournament, Lionel Messi is the firm favorite to win the 2021 Ballon d'Or award. The Argentine legend not only won an international trophy finally, he also played a starring role in his country's historic triumph.
Lionel Messi has been in sensational form this calendar year. After securing the La Liga Golden Boot with Barcelona, Messi dominated the Copa America tournament, winning the Golden Boot as well as the Player of the Tournament award (along with Neymar).
Lionel Messi's stupendous performance in Copa America 2021 makes him the favorite to claim his 7th Ballon d'Or award this year.
