'%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 Jorginho (Italy/Chelsea)
Well, no player has had as successful and glorious a summer as Jorginho. Chelsea's midfield lynchpin was a calming presence in the centre of the park as the Blues went on to win the UEFA Champions League last season.
He repeated his heroics at Euro 2020, playing a big role in Italy's triumphant run at the continental tournament. Not only is Jorginho excellent at distributing the ball and orchestrating play from deep but he is also adept at dispensing his defensive duties.
He topped the charts for interceptions (25), recoveries (46) and fouls drawn (18) at Euro 2020. There is an argument that it wasn't Jorginho's individual brilliance that enabled him to win all these titles. While that is partially true, his influence cannot be overlooked.
Jorginho was also chosen as the UEFA Men's Player of the Year after Chelsea added the UEFA Super Cup to their kitty as well.
#2 Robert Lewandowski (Poland/Bayern Munich)
Robert Lewandowski is arguably the finest striker on the planet right now. The Polish international has been scoring goals at an incredibly prolific rate and Bayern Munich have been cruising thanks to his exploits.
While Poland's group stage exit at Euro 2020 will hamper Lewandowski's chances of winning the Ballon d'Or, he still managed to score three goals in three appearances. The 33-year-old scored 48 goals and provided nine assists in 40 appearances across all competitions for the Bavarians in the 2020-21 season.
He has started the 2021-22 season in the same vein. Lewandowski has 13 goals in nine appearances across all competitions for Bayern Munich so far this term. If he can keep this going until December, there's every chance that Lewandowski will get a much deserved Ballon d'Or.
#1 Lionel Messi (Argentina/Paris Saint-Germain)
Lionel Messi has been absolutely incredible in 2021. After getting off to a slow start to the 2020-21 season, Messi single-handedly dragged Barcelona back into the La Liga title race. Ultimately, it didn't amount to much but Messi still won his eighth Pichichi trophy, scoring 30 goals and providing 11 assists in 35 La Liga appearances.
He also inspired the Catalans to a Copa Del Rey triumph. Messi was chosen as the best player of the tournament as Argentina won the Copa America this past summer after a 28 year drought. He scored four goals and provided five assists for La Albiceleste in the continental competition.
The summer didn't end there for Messi as he was forced to leave Barcelona due to their financial woes. He has moved to Paris Saint-Germain and has reunited with Neymar Jr. If Messi can keep up his good form, he could very well go on to win a record seventh Ballon d'Or.
