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#3 Robert Lewandowski - Poland/Bayern Munich
Robert Lewandowski is the most prolific striker in the world right now. He was robbed off the Ballon d'Or as the award was canceled in 2020 in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Lewandowski won the continental treble with Bayern Munich in the 2019-20 season and was their best player by a country mile.
At an individual level, Lewandowski's 2020-21 season was just as incredible. He broke Gerd Muller's record of most goals scored in a Bundesliga season (40), scoring 41 goals in 29 appearances. He finished the 2020-21 season with a tally of 48 goals and nine assists in 40 appearances across all competitions for the Bavarians.
Lewandowski also contributed three goals to Poland's cause at Euro 2020 but they were knocked out in the group stage. He also managed to win just the Bundesliga title last term and it remains to be seen whether that will be enough to make him a Ballon d'Or winner.
#2 Jorginho - Italy/Chelsea
No player has had as good a summer as Chelsea midfielder Jorginho. He was a standout performer for Italy as they won the European championship. The Italian midfielder was on top of his game, dispensing his defensive and offensive duties at the heart of the pitch with aplomb.
One of the most technically refined players of his generation, Jorginho is both Italy's and Chelsea's midfield metronome. The 29-year-old won the Champions League title, Euro 2020 and the UEFA Supercup this summer.
He topped the list for interceptions (25), recoveries (46) and fouls drawn (18) at Euro 2020. He has also reportedly won the UEFA Men's Best Men's Player Award, which is set to be announced on Friday.
#1 Lionel Messi - Argentina/Barcelona
Lionel Messi's first major international trophy win might be just enough to propel him to a record seventh Ballon d'Or win. The 34-year-old won the Golden Boot and the Best Player Award as Argentina won the Copa America this summer after a 28-year drought.
Messi also won the Copa Del Rey with Barcelona and was phenomenal for them in the second half of the 2020-21 season. He was the recipient of the Pichichi trophy, his eighth one so far, scoring 30 goals in La Liga last term. In total, Messi scored 38 goals and provided 14 assists in 47 appearances across all competitions for Barcelona in 2020-21.
The six-time Ballon d'Or winner has moved to Paris Saint-Germain and has reunited with Neymar Jr. He is tipped to have yet another wonderful season and this could once again be his year as far as the Ballon d'Or is concerned.
