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#7 Romelu Lukaku - Belgium/Chelsea
Romelu Lukaku secured a big-money switch from Inter Milan to Chelsea this summer. The Belgian international was sensational for Inter Milan in their triumphant 2020-21 Serie A season. He scored 30 goals and provided 10 assists in 44 appearances across all competitions.
Lukaku had a good outing at Euro 2020 as well, scoring four goals in Belgium's run to the quarter-finals of the continental competition. Lukaku could yet boost his chances in the Ballon d'Or race if he can inspire Belgium to win the UEFA Nations League title.
Belgium will go up against France in the semi-finals of the tournament and if they can go all the way, then Lukaku will have a formidable trophy haul. He kicked off the new Premier League campaign with a goal in his first game back with Chelsea against Arsen.
#6 Erling Haaland - Norway/Borussia Dortmund
Erling Haaland is already one of the best strikers in the world at the age of 21. He scored a whopping 41 goals and provided 12 assists in 41 appearances across all competitions for Borussia Dortmund in the 2020-21 season.
Haaland has kicked off the 2021-22 season on a brilliant note. He has already scored five goals and provided three assists in four appearances across various competitions already.
There will undoubtedly be a bidding war for Haaland next summer as he is already the most sought-after striker in the world. Haaland will need trophies to get closer to his Ballon d'Or dream and will need to move on from Dortmund in order to accomplish that.
#5 Cristiano Ronaldo - Portugal/Juventus
Cristiano Ronaldo won the Golden Boot at Euro 2020, scoring five goals and providing an assist in four matches for Portugal. He had a good 2020-21 season at an individual level with Juventus, scoring 36 goals and providing four assists in 44 appearances across all competitions.
He also won the Serie A Golden Boot in the 2020-21 season, scoring 29 goals in 33 appearances. The Portuguese international continues to be one of the most prolific goalscorers on the planet even at the age of 36.
However, he won just the Coppa Italia last season and that won't be enough to earn him a place on the Ballon d'Or podium.
#4 N'Golo Kante - France/Chelsea
N'Golo Kante was the standout performer for Chelsea in their UEFA Champions League triumph last season. The midfielder gave it his all in the closing stages of the competition for his club. He earned four back-to-back man-of-the-match awards starting from the second leg of the quarter-finals all the way to the final of Europe's elite competition.
However, France's shock exit in the Round of 16 of Euro 2020 ruined Kante's chances of winning the Ballon d'Or. A triumphant run in the UEFA Nations League could yet give him a boost.
The 30-year-old is widely renowned for his defensive ability and work rate. He is technically proficient as well and contributes greatly to Chelsea's build-up play with his slick passing and movement.
