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The World Cup is over and the new season is up and running! Some big players changed clubs this summer while some high profile transfers that were bound to happen did not take place.
The August ranking saw some massive changes because of the players' performances in the World Cup. This month, there have been a few more drastic changes in the ranking.
Luka Modric shocked the world as he edged Cristiano Ronaldo to win the UEFA Men's Player of the Year award. The Croatian had a stunning World Cup and was among the top three in the ranking last month.
Kevin de Bruyne is out of the top 10 following his injury and in his place is a player who was in the top 5 when the ranking began in March. Luis Suarez's dismal form in the past few months sees him nowhere near the top 10. He's got a lot to do to make it in the list and it will be interesting to see how things shape up for him this season.
Without further ado, here are this month's Ballon d'Or Power Ranking:
#10 Edinson Cavani
Maintaining his place at #10 is PSG and Uruguay striker, Edinson Cavani. He scored 31 goals last season and had a very good World Cup in Russia, scoring 3 goals in 4 games.
Now with the new season kicking off, he has started from where he had left off. Scoring 2 goals in 2 games in Ligue 1 this season, he looks set to lead their attack once again alongside Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
Despite his tremendous form, the Uruguayan striker does not have a shot at winning the Ballon d'Or this year. It will be interesting to see if he turns up to help Mbappe and Neymar in their quest for the prestigious award or he puts the team ahead of everyone and continues to do what he's doing right now.
#9 Neymar Jr
Making his way back into the top 10 is Neymar! The Brazilian dropped out of the list after his injury earlier this year but his performances at the World Cup and a good start to the Ligue 1 season sees him sit in the #9 position.
Rumours suggested that the Brazilian was heading for Real Madrid this summer but nothing materialized. He was the red-hot favourite to replace Cristiano Ronaldo but he stayed put at PSG and is continuing to dazzle in the French league.
With just 4 months left for the gala, Neymar has a lot to do if he wants to finish in a podium position. PSG have been drawn with Liverpool and Napoli in the Champions League group stage and if he puts in some stellar performances vs the two sides, he has a very good chance of making it to the top 3.
#8 Eden Hazard
Another player who was linked heavily with Real Madrid this summer was Eden Hazard. The Belgian also stayed put at Chelsea and did not make the switch to Bernabeu.
He has only made 2 starts for Chelsea this season in their 4 games but was the man of the match in both games. He has shown that he can be unstoppable if he is given the ball and the freedom to run rings around the defence.
Maurizio Sarri's style of play has done exactly that and he has started to enjoy football once again. If he continues to play the way he is doing right now, he can easily climb up the ladder but a podium finish might not be possible for him this season.
The worry for Chelsea right now is that he has just 2 years left on his current contract and Real Madrid might make a swoop for him next summer. Should he decide to join Los Blancos, Chelsea will find it very difficult to replace him.
#7 Harry Kane
World Cup Golden Boot winner, Harry Kane sits comfortably at the 7th spot in the Ballon d'Or power ranking once again. The Tottenham star has finally managed to score in the month of August and is doing all he can to help Spurs finish in the top 4 once again.
Kane was also linked with Real Madrid but nothing concrete was mentioned in the media. It was all speculations and Madrid ended up just signing one striker – their former player, Mariano Diaz.
Just like Neymar, Kane has a very good chance of showing the world what he has got in the Champions League group stage. Tottenham have been drawn with Inter Milan and Barcelona and if he scores a few goals in the 4 fixtures, he can make it to the top of the ranking by the end of the year.
#6 Mohamed Salah
Once the leading candidate for the Ballon d'Or this year, now not even in the top 5! Mohamed Salah's injury and World Cup campaign has changed things around drastically.
The Egyptian broke several records last season and was Premier League Golden Boot winner but that has not helped him cement his place in the top 3. More than the subpar show at the World Cup, it is the tremendous performances by the other candidates that have resulted in his steep fall in the ranking.
Salah has not had a very good start to the Premier League 2018/19 season as well. Sadio mane has outshone him at Liverpool this year and it might be the Senegal winger's time to shine!
#5 Lionel Messi
Just like Salah, Messi too was in once leading the Ballon d'Or power ranking. But his performance at the World Cup had a huge impact on his ranking.
He has a lot to do this season to challenge for the Ballon d'Or. The Argentine has gotten off to a good start and needs to maintain this form for the next few months.
Messi has informed the Argentine FA that he will not be playing for the National team this year and that gives him enough time and energy to focus on Barcelona.
He has promised to win the Champions League this season and if he does really well till the Ballon d'Or ceremony, he might win it for the 6th time!
#4 Antoine Griezmann
One player who has been consistently brilliant for his club and country for over a year is Antoine Griezmann. The Frenchman won the Europa League with Atletico Madrid and then went on to win the World Cup with France.
He was named the Europa League player of the year as well for the 2017/18 season and that has given him an extra boost. Now with the new season kicked off, he has not gotten off to the best of starts.
With just one goal in 3 games so far, Atletico have suffered because of his slow start. They have been drawn with AS Monaco and Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League and if he doesn't do well, he might see his ranking take a huge drop.
#3 Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo shocked the world by leaving Real Madrid this summer. He joined Juventus for €112 million and has not got off to a good start.
He has not scored a single goal for the Old Lady in their 3 games so far. He has taken 23 shots in all the games together but they have been off the mark or saved.
He could not do much for Portugal in the knockout stages as well and that saw his rank drop last month. If Ronaldo does want to win the Ballon d'Or this season, he needs to start scoring and get back to his Real Madrid form quickly.
#2 Kylian Mbappe
The Golden Boy of football right now and also the Golden Boy winner at the World Cup, Kylian Mbappe has made it to the second spot in the Ballon d'Or power ranking.
He has been some stunning form for over a year now and has been vital for his club and country. He has been running the show for France and PSG and the two sides wouldn't have won anything if it wasn't for this teenager.
He has started the new season just where he left off last season and has been scoring for fun. Apart from just scoring, he has also been setting up goals for Neymar and Cavani too.
PS: His red card vs Nimes was not counted for the ranking as it took place on September 1st.
#1 Luka Modric
World Cup runner-up, World Cup Golden Ball winner, Champions League winner, UEFA Midfielder of the Year and UEFA Player of the Year – Luka Modric is on top of our power ranking this month!
The Croatian was easily one of the best players for Real Madrid last season and was vital for their 3rd consecutive Champions League triumph. Similarly, he was the engine behind Croatia's run in the World Cup where they finished as runners-up.
He has been nominated for the FIFA The Best award as well and many legends are tipping him to break the Messi-Ronaldo duopoly on the Ballon d'Or trophy this year!
