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#3. Neymar
No Brazilian has won the Ballon d'Or since Kaka did over a decade ago, and only Neymar himself has made it to the podium since (in 2015, when he won 7.86% of the vote to Ronaldo's 27.76% and Messi's 41.33%).
Neymar, though, has been in fantastic form in 2017. He may have had a lackluster La Liga season by his usual standards, but he pulled off arguably the performance of the tournament when he hoisted Barca on his back and climbed the impossible summit of Barcelona 6 - 1 PSG in that memorable pre-quarterfinal clash.
Since joining those self-same opponents he so casually had destroyed just months previously, he's taken himself to the next level - toying with defenders, creating chances with impunity and generally making Ligue 1 the most watchable league in the world all by his lonesome.
For Brazil, meanwhile, he has been unplayable... the phenomenal totem of Tite's great Brazilian renaissance and the main reason A Selecao are favourites to the title next year.
Sure, he may not walk home with the Golden Orb this time around, but it would take courage to bet on him doing the same next year.
