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One of the most prestigious individual accolades in football, the FIFA Best awards are presented to some of the greatest players in the game.
Some of the best players in the world stand a chance of getting their hands on the award. Last year it was won by Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski, with Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona's Lionel Messi coming second and third, respectively.
There are some interesting names in the mix this time around. With the Ronaldo-Messi dominance coming to an end, options have opened up, with various top players now standing a chance of winning such awards.
Without much ado, let's take a look at the FIFA Men's Best Player Award Power Rankings for the month of August.
#10 Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
Despite making only 23 Premier League starts last season, Kevin De Bruyne won the PFA Players' Player of the Year, highlighting his quality.
De Bruyne scored six goals and provided 12 assists last season in the Premier League and the Belgium international will be keen to register more minutes in the league this time around. De Bruyne's 2020/21 campaign was influenced by injuries, despite which the midfielder managed to produce excellent numbers.
De Bruyne is one of the best players in world football, but Manchester City will be monitoring the superstar closely. The arrival of Jack Grealish from Aston Villa for nearly £106 million reduces the creative burden on De Bruyne, and the 30-year old, who is renowned for his passing and technical ability, will get more rest as a result.
#9 Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain)
Kylian Mbappe's future continues to dominate the headlines, with the forward reportedly keen to leave Paris Saint-Germain.
Mbappe, whose Paris Saint-Germain contract expires next summer, joined the club from AS Monaco for £130.5 million. The 22-year-old is a bonafide superstar and a talismanic presence for both club and country who almost always manages to perform when needed.
However, Mbappe's Euro 2020 stint was a major disappointment. The France international, who endured a poor tournament, has been heavily linked with Real Madrid, who are rumored to be extremely interested in signing him. Mbappe made 27 Ligue 1 starts last season, scoring 27 goals and providing seven assists.
#8 Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)
Another big-name player heavily linked with a move away from their current club is Harry Kane.
Kane enjoyed a world-class 2020/21 season with Tottenham Hotspur. The striker made 35 Premier League starts, scoring 23 goals and providing 14 assists. The England international is regarded as one of the best strikers in the world and has admitted that he wants to get his hands on silverware as soon as possible.
Tottenham Hotspur were poor last season despite Kane's contributions. As a result, the 28-year-old is keen to leave the club, with Manchester City reportedly having a bid rejected earlier this summer. The Premier League champions remain interested in signing Kane and it looks likely that they will try to sign him before the transfer window closes.
Also Read: Fabrizio Romano's Transfer Roundup: Arsenal transfer news, Update on Harry Kane's future and more
#7 Erling Braut Haaland (Borussia Dortmund)
Erling Braut Haaland is one of the best strikers in the world, and any club that signs him next summer will secure their no.9 position for a decade.
Haaland's impact since joining Borussia Dortmund from Red Bull Salzburg in January 2020 has been incredible. The Norway international is a prolific goalscorer who made 27 Bundesliga starts last season, scoring 27 goals and providing six assists.
The striker was linked with a move away from Borussia Dortmund this summer, but the club were reluctant to part ways with another star asset, having already sold Jadon Sancho to Manchester United. The 21-year-old is unlikely to be a Borussia Dortmund player next season, with clubs like Manchester United, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona all interested.
#6 Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea)
Romelu Lukaku's second spell with Chelsea has started well, with the striker scoring a goal on his debut.
Lukaku is one of the best strikers in the world. There were doubts over his quality during his time with Manchester United, but the Belgium international blossomed into one of the best players in his position during his time with Inter Milan, where he was pivotal as the club won the Serie A last season.
The 28-year-old returned to Chelsea this summer for £103.5 million. Lukaku guarantees goals, and given that Chelsea were missing a prolific no.9 last season, this signing sees them become title contenders.
#5 Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
Cristiano Ronaldo could leave Juventus soon, with the superstar forward linked with a move away from the Serie A giants.
Ronaldo's signing was heralded when he joined Juventus from Real Madrid for £105.3 million in 2018. The 36-year-old was signed to usher in a new era of dominance for Juventus, but Ronaldo's arrival has coincided with a dip in Juventus' form, both domestically and in Europe.
The Portugal international, though, has been in world-class goalscoring form since joining Juventus and won the Capocannoniere last season. However, his contract expires next summer and a new deal does not look likely. Ronaldo also finished as the top goalscorer at Euro 2020 alongside Czech Republic attacker Patrik Schick.
#4 N'Golo Kante (Chelsea)
A few months ago, there was a clamor for N'Golo Kante to win the Ballon d'Or after some excellent performances for Chelsea last season.
While the noise has died down since then, it is clear that the midfielder has returned to his very best following a quiet 2019/20 season. The France international is one of the best midfielders in the world and was arguably Chelsea's most important player last season as they won the UEFA Champions League.
The 30-year-old has had some issues with injuries in recent seasons, so his game-time should be carefully managed this season. Kante failed to translate his club form at Euro 2020 for France, but very few French players emerged from that tournament with their heads held high.
Also Read: 5 best full-backs in the world right now
#3 Jorginho (Chelsea)
N'Golo Kante was touted for the Ballon d'Or a few months ago, but his Chelsea teammate Jorginho is among the favorites to win the prestigious award right now.
Jorginho has endured a peculiar Chelsea career. Signed from Napoli for £51.3 million in 2018, the 29-year-old has had his ups and downs with the Premier League giants. For some time last summer, Jorginho looked set to depart Chelsea, with Juventus and Barcelona linked.
Now, the midfielder is a UEFA Champions League and European Championship winner and is widely regarded as one of the best in the world in his position. The Italy international's performances, especially during the second-half of last season, earned plaudits. He was arguably Italy's best player as they won the Euro 2020. Jorginho now looks undroppable for both club and country.
#2 Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
One of the best players in the world, Robert Lewandowski has been consistently brilliant for Bayern Munich.
Bayern Munich acquiring Lewandowski on a free transfer in 2014 has to go down as one of the best deals in the history of the sport. The Poland international is the best striker in world football and a prolific goalscorer who is well-known for his technical ability and athleticism.
The 33-year-old is getting better with age. Lewandowski was the best player in the world in 2020, when he helped Bayern Munich won the treble. He is the Bundesliga giants' most important player.
#1 Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain)
Lionel Messi is yet to make his debut for Paris Saint-Germain, as his fans eagerly wait to see him play once again.
One of the greatest players of all time was signed by Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer. Messi controversially departed Barcelona this month, and the Ligue 1 giants were quick to capitalize, signing the Argentine superstar with a little help from Neymar.
Messi's final season with Barcelona could have gone better. The 34-year-old was at his brilliant best as usual, but the club struggled. Messi was the best player at Copa America 2021, a tournament his country won. It will be interesting to see how he combines with the likes of Kylian Mbappe and former Barcelona teammate Neymar in Paris.
Also Read: 5 footballers with the best vision in world football right now (2021)
