'%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 Kylian Mbappe (France/Paris Saint-Germain)
It was all going so well for Kylian Mbappe a little more than halfway through the 2020-21 season. The 22-year-old was in prime goalscoring form and was a standout performer for Paris Saint-Germain as they cruised to the semi-finals of the Champions League.
He scored a hat-trick against Barcelona in the Round of 16 before bagging a brace as PSG eliminated Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals. However, they suffered a shock exit at the hands of an excellent Manchester City side. They also lost out in the Ligue 1 title race to Lille.
Mbappe had an underwhelming outing at Euro 2020 as well. He registered just a single assist in four appearances in the tournament as France crashed out in the Round of 16. Mbappe had scored 42 goals and provided 11 assists in 47 appearances across all competitions for PSG last term.
He won the Coupe de France & Trophee des Champions with PSG but unfortunately, those trophies don't hold much weight. As a result, Mbappe is likely to finish outside the top 5 in the 2021 Ballon d'Or race.
#2 Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium/Manchester City)
Kevin De Bruyne was one of Manchester City's most important players as they won the Premier League title and the League Cup in the 2020-21 season. He was also influential in City reaching the final of the UEFA Champions League, though he was forced off in the game after suffering a facial injury.
De Bruyne and City came so close to an elusive Champions League title but ended up finishing just short. The Belgian midfield lynchpin couldn't inspire his team further than the quarter-final of Euro 2020 where they lost to eventual champions Italy.
The 29-year-old was one of Belgium's best players at the tournament, scoring a goal and providing two assists in four appearances. In 40 appearances across all competitions for Manchester City in the 2020-21 season, De Bruyne scored 10 goals and provided 18 assists.
He was also chosen as the PFA Players' Player of the Year for the 2020-21 season. While the Premier League title and League Cup are both major wins, he just doesn't have a good enough record to break into the top 5 of the Ballon d'Or race.
#1 Romelu Lukaku (Belgium/Chelsea)
When Romelu Lukaku left Manchester United in the summer of 2019, several facets of his game were heavily criticized. However, the Belgian international refused to give up and honed his skills under the tutelage of Inter Milan manager Antonio Conte.
He soon burgeoned into one of the best strikers in Europe and was arguably Inter Milan's best player as they won the Scudetto in the 2020-21 season. Lukaku scored 30 goals and provided 10 assists in 44 appearances across all competitions for the Nerazzurri last term.
The bullish striker was one of Belgium's best players at Euro 2020, scoring four goals in five appearances. However, with the Serie A title being the only major trophy he won last term, Lukaku's chances of cracking the top 5 in the Ballon d'Or race are slim
