'%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 Robert Lewandowski - Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich crashing out of the UEFA Champions League would have greatly hindered Robert Lewandowski's chances of winning the Ballon d'Or. He has had two incredible back-to-back seasons on an individual level.
With the Bundesliga remaining the only major title the Bavarians can win this season, despite clocking incredible numbers, Lewandowski might only make it to the podium. The Polish international has scored 40 goals and provided six assists across all competitions this term for Bayern Munich.
Lewandowski was robbed off the Ballon d'Or last year and he might just miss out on it once again due to a lack of trophies despite scoring 25 goals and providing three assists already this calendar year, which is quite heartbreaking to say the least.
#2 Lionel Messi - Barcelona
Barcelona are breaking out of the shadow of last summer's mishaps and Bartomeu's mismanagement. Under Ronald Koeman, Barcelona have settled down well and last week they won the Copa Del Rey. They have also fought their way back into the La Liga title race and maintain a good chance of winning the domestic double.
Lionel Messi has been at the forefront of Barcelona's resurgence and after struggling in the earlier part of the season, he has got back to his best and how! He scored a brace as Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao in the final of the Copa Del Rey.
Messi has scored 31 goals and provided 10 assists for Barcelona across all competitions, out of which 21 goals and eight assists have come in 2021. If Barcelona go on to win the domestic double, he could very well win a seventh Ballon d'Or.
#1 Kylian Mbappe - Paris Saint-Germain
Kylian Mbappe was the difference maker in the first leg of Paris Saint-Germain's UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie against Bayern Munich. He bagged a brace and laid the foundation for PSG's win over the reigning champions of Europe.
Mbappe has been at his vicious best this season and has scored 35 goals and provided 10 assists for Paris Saint-Germain across all competitions. Paris Saint-Germain have already won the Trophee des Champions and are favourites to win the Champions League as well.
They are a point behind Ligue 1 leaders LOSC Lille and there's no predicting how that one is going to play out. Mbappe will undoubtedly be a difference maker in the Euros as well and if he can keep this up, this could potentially be his year. He has scored 23 goals and provided three assists this calendar year.
