'%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)
#7 Mohamed Salah (Egypt/Liverpool)
Mohamed Salah has worked his way back into the Ballon d'Or conversation after a sensational start to the 2021-22 season. The Egyptian international has been in sublime form in the new season and has scored 12 goals and provided four assists in 11 appearances already this term.
Salah had a pretty good 2020-21 campaign at an individual level, scoring 31 goals and providing six assists in 51 appearances across all competitions. However, Liverpool struggled last season due to injuries and they failed to win any major trophies.
So even though the 29-year-old has solid numbers, he is unlikely to finish close to the podium in this year's Ballon d'Or race.
#6 Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Manchester United)
Cristiano Ronaldo is yet another player whose lack of major trophies this year will severely affect his chances of winning the Ballon d'Or. The Portuguese international finished the 2020-21 Serie A season as the top scorer with 29 goals in 33 appearances.
He also won the Golden Boot at Euro 2020 despite Portugal crashing out of the tournament in the Round of 16 against Belgium. Ronaldo scored five goals and provided an assist in four appearances at the tournament.
However, the Coppa Italia is the only major trophy that he was able to win this year and it is unlikely to do much for him in the Ballon d'Or race this term.
#5 N'Golo Kante (France/Chelsea)
N'Golo Kante's involvement has been rather limited in the past two seasons due to some injury problems. He was unfortunate to have missed out on France's UEFA Nations League semi-final and final wins after being sidelined due to injury.
But when he has been fully fit, the Frenchman has been phenomenal. He was the standout performer for Chelsea in the knockout stages of their triumphant UEFA Champions League campaign, picking up four man-of-the-match awards.
Kante's tenacity, defensive acumen and incredible link-up play were crucial to Chelsea's resurgence in the second half of the 2020-21 season. The 30-year-old was also named the UEFA Champions League Midfielder of the Year.
#4 Jorginho (Italy/Chelsea)
Italy and Chelsea midfielder Jorginho has been backed to go on and win the Ballon d'Or by many this year. Why wouldn't he be? He won the UEFA Champions League, Euro 2020 and the UEFA Super Cup all in the same summer.
Jorginho has been a vital player for both club and country but the jury is still out on how much his individual brilliance helped fashion those triumphs. The 29-year-old, who was named the UEFA Player of the Year, has been incredible in defensive midfield for both Italy and Chelsea.
Not only is he a wonderful technician who is great at distributing the ball but he is also adept at dispensing his defensive duties. Jorginho is also one of the best penalty takers in the game right now and finished the 2020-21 Premier League season as Chelsea's top scorer with seven goals.
