'%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 Jorginho (Italy/Chelsea)
No player has had as fulfilling a summer as the Italian midfield metronome Jorginho. He was an integral part of the Chelsea side that won the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Super Cup. Jorginho was also influential in Italy's triumph at Euro 2020.
The 29-year-old was also chosen as the UEFA Men's Player of the Year. He is the one that keeps things ticking for Chelsea and Italy in midfield. Jorginho is an intelligent player who is also technically gifted.
He is great with his distribution from a deep-lying role in midfield and is also adept at dispensing his defensive responsibilities. Jorginho led the list for interceptions (25), recoveries (46) and fouls drawn (18) at Euro 2020.
While the jury is still out on whether his teams' triumphs were borne out of his individual brilliance, there is no doubting the fact that Jorginho is a top baller.
#2 Robert Lewandowski (Poland/Bayern Munich)
Robert Lewandowski was robbed off the Ballon d'Or as the award was canceled in 2020 in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Polish international won the Bundesliga, Club World Cup and the DFL-Supercup last term with Bayern Munich.
Lewandowski scored three goals in three appearances at Euro 2020 as Poland crashed out in the group stage. He had a tally of 48 goals and nine assists in 40 appearances across all competitions for the Bavarians in the 2020-21 season.
The 33-year-old has started the 2021-22 season in the same vein. Lewandowski has scored 11 goals in eight appearances so far for Bayern Munich this term. If he can maintain his form until December, then there's every chance that he will finally get his hands on the most prestigious individual prize in football.
#1 Lionel Messi (Argentina/Paris Saint-Germain)
Lionel Messi's numbers from the new season will tell you that he has perhaps not got off to a great start to life at his new club. However, his influence does lie beyond the numbers as well and it won't be long before he adds goals and assists to his kitty at Paris Saint-Germain.
Messi has had one heck of a summer. He won the Golden Boot and was picked as the Best Player as Argentina won the 2021 Copa America. Messi had also won the Pichichi Trophy last term with Barcelona, scoring 30 goals in La Liga.
In 47 appearances across all competitions in the 2020-21 season, the 34-year-old scored 38 goals and provided 14 assists. He scored four goals and provided five assists for La Albiceleste at the Copa America. If Messi can find some goals to go with his form, he could very well win a record seventh Ballon d'Or this year.
Also Check Out: Lionel Messi Net Worth
