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The Ballon d'Or nominees for 2021 were announced recently by the French sports magazine France Football. The list comprised of the top 30 players shortlisted for the prestigious award.
While some of the names were very much expected, there were a few surprises. Some of the players were nominated for the Ballon d'Or for the very first time in their career.
Ballon d'Or nominees have high market values
As expected, there are some big names present in the Ballon d'Or nominees list. With big names comes higher market values and it is the same story here.
The 30-man shortlist can easily make up for one of the finest starting XI in the game. Based on the market value of the individual players, we have drawn out the top XI from the Ballon d'Or nominee list. The lineup itself would have a combined market value of €694.5 million. Using the 3-5-2 formation, let's have a look at the most valuable XI from the Ballon d'Or shortlist.
Note: All values as per Transfermarkt
Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma (€65 million)
The year 2021 has turned out to be fabulous for Gianluigi Donnarumma. The young goalkeeper played an instrumental role in helping the Italian national team win Euro 2020. His performances in both the semi-finals and finals were crucial in clinching the European trophy. Donnarumma was also voted as the player of the tournament at Euro 2020.
Additionally, he was amazing when playing for AC Milan before signing for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on a free transfer this summer. Donnarumma has earned a lot of plaudits at the age of 22 and he's touted to achieve more success with time. Valued at €65 million, there is no competition for the former Milan goalkeeper here.
Centre-Back: Giorgio Chiellini (€1.5 million)
Not many defenders have performed as consistently as Giorgio Chiellini in his football career. The Italian defender has been sturdy as a rock at the back, marshaling his troops for both club and country.
Chiellini used all his experience and technical abilities to help Italy win the Euro 2020 this summer. He also won the Coppa Italia with Juventus last season. Everything considered, the defender would bring a lot of stability to this lineup despite being valued at €1.5 million.
Centre-Back: Leonardo Bonucci (€8 million)
The partnership between Giorgino Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci has done wonders over the years. The duo have been playing together for both Juventus and Italy for a considerable amount of time now.
Bonucci, along with his smart and aggressive defending, is quite a threat during set-pieces. The former AC Milan defender played a vital role in rallying defensive troops to claim the Euro 2020 trophy this summer. The 34-year old has only gotten better with age and it is only just to have the veteran defender in this lineup.
Centre-Back: Ruben Dias (€75 million)
The Portuguese centre-back has been a revelation for Manchester City ever since he signed for them in the summer of 2020. Ruben Dias was their star player last season, helping them immensely win the Premier League.
The former Benfica defender is strong and calm at the back. His smart positioning, timely tackles and tactical understanding of the game has been a delight to watch.
Dias also ended up as the winner of the EFL Cup last season and the runner-up in the UEFA Champions League. There is no way that 24-year will miss out on a place in this lineup. The centre-back was also the FWA Footballer of the Year and 'Premier League Player of the Season' last term.
Had the Portuguese had a good run at Euro 2020, he would have been a strong contender for the Ballon d'Or.
Defensive Midfielder: Jorginho (€45 million)
Jorginho is touted as one of the most promising candidates for the Ballon d'Or. There are very few players in the world who have won both the Euros and the UEFA Champions League in the same year. Jorginho has now made himself a part of that club this year.
For someone of his caliber, the Italian is quite an underrated midfielder. With his incisive passing and deep playmaking abilities, Jorginho is quite an asset in midfield. Don't forget his brilliant ability to take calm and composed penalties.
With his heroics at Euro 2020 and the Champions League, Jorginho is highly rated by some of the pundits to win the Ballon d'Or. It is going to be interesting to see where the €45 million-rated midfielder finishes in the race for the award.
Defensive Midfielder: N'Golo Kante (€55 million)
Alongside Jorginho, N'Golo Kante has been a massive asset for Chelsea in midfield. The Frenchman has been one of the most consistent performers in the Premier League for the past few years.
With his relentless pressing, high work-rate and amazing ability to win the ball, it is a privilege to watch Kante play. His performance in the UEFA Champions League final played a major role in clinching the trophy. Even at national level, the former Leicester midfielder has been an impressive performer.
Given the year Kante had, it is only right that he gets a decent shout out for the Ballon d'Or award. The central midfielder has always worked his socks off and he surely deserves more recognition.
Left Midfielder: Cristiano Ronaldo (€45 million)
The Portuguese has already won the Ballon d'Or five times in his career. There is no possible way that he could have missed out on this list. Cristiano Ronaldo has had a stellar career and is arguably one of the best players ever to play the game.
Last season with Juventus, the former Real Madrid attacker won the Coppa Italia and the Supercoppa Italiana. It is not just about trophies but how he single-handedly carried the Italian giants with his performance in front of goal. He won the Capocannoniere for scoring 29 goals in 33 Serie A games last term. Even at the national level, Cristiano Ronaldo has been excellent.
He recently broke the record for the most international goals scored in men's footbally by surpassing Ali Daei. Cristiano Ronaldo has time and again been a Messiah both for his club and country and deserves to be in shortlist for the Ballon d'Or this year.
Central Attacking Midfielder: Kevin De Bruyne (€100 million)
Rated very highly by Pep Guardiola, Kevin De Bruyne is one of the best midfielders in the world right now. With his game-changing abilities on the pitch, the Belgian is surely an asset to any team he plays for.
De Bruyne was pivotal in Manchester City's successful campaign in the Premier League last season. He played an equally vital role in helping the Cityzens reach the finals of the UEFA Champions League. With his incisive passing, creativity and goal-scoring abilities, the former Chelsea midfielder is a deadly player when on the ball.
The 30-year old has a market value of €100 million, which itself speaks volumes of his caliber. This year may not provide him the best chance to win the Ballon d'Or but he surely has the potential to win one in the near future.
Right Midfielder: Lionel Messi (€80 million)
It looks like the Ballon d'Or award was made only for Lionel Messi. The great Argentine has won it six times, the most in the history of the prestigious award.
Lionel Messi made all the headlines when he was forced to leave his boyhood club Barcelona and join Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) this summer. The left-footed maestro is a legend with the Catalan club and it was surely difficult to digest the transfer. He won the Copa del Rey with the Spanish giants for the seventh time in his career during his last season at Camp Nou. Messi also won his eighth Pichichi trophy for scoring 30 goals in 35 league games.
He has often been criticized by many for not being as influential on his national team as he has been at club level. Lionel Messi left no doubt over this argument as he won the Copa America with Argentina this summer. Given his performances and impact at both club and country level, the Argentine is one of the leading contenders for the Ballon d'Or award.
Left Striker: Robert Lewandowski (€60 million)
If there is one player who surely deserves a Ballon d'Or, it is Robert Lewandowski. The Polish striker has been brutally efficient in the Bundesliga for a significant amount of time now. Without an iota of doubt, the former Dortmund striker is one of the best strikers in the world right now. He is poised to strongly challenge Lionel Messi for the Ballon d'Or award.
Using his quick feet, amazing technique, and brilliant finishing abilities, Lewandowski has been a goal-scoring machine for Bayern Munich. He was the winner of the European Golden Shoe for last season and broke Gerd Muller's record of 40 goals in a single Bundesliga campaign. He won both the Bundesliga and DFL-Supercup with the Bavarian club last season.
It's not just about goals with Lewandowski. His movement and constant threat in the box make him a very difficult player to mark. The Polish captain has been unlucky not to win the Ballon d'Or to date but 2021 could turn out to be his year.
Right Striker: Kylian Mbappe (€160 million)
The Frenchman has had an impressive year courtesy of some fine performances for both club and country. With Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Kylian Mbappe scored 27 goals and registered seven assists in Ligue 1 last season.
The 2018 World Cup winner was strongly linked with a move to Real Madrid this summer but the move did not materialize. PSG stood strong in their stance of not letting the young French attacker leave without getting the right price. It is likely that Madrid will be back for his signature in the winter transfer window and it will be interesting to see what happens then.
The young forward has started amazingly well this season, scoring five goals and notching up as many assists in 10 appearances in the league. At the national level, Mbappe played an important role in helping France win the UEFA Nations League. In the European tournament, the former Monaco man scored four goals and assisted in three others from six matches.
For a 22-year old, it is quite an achievement. Kylian Mbappe's future may be uncertain in terms of the club he will be playing for come next season. But it is assured that he has a very bright future given the potential he possesses. Although the Frenchman stands only a slim chance of winning the Ballon d'Or this year, he has plenty of time to win it in the future.
