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#3 Jorginho (Italy/Chelsea)
No footballer has had a better summer than Chelsea and Italy midfielder Jorginho. After playing a crucial role in Chelsea's triumphant run in the UEFA Champions League, Jorginho was a standout performer for Italy as they won Euro 2020.
The 29-year-old is one of the best holding midfielders in the game right now. Not only is he an excellent passer of the ball, but he is also adept at the defensive side of things. His positional awareness, ability to read the game and to make interceptions and blocks set him apart.
Jorginho was named UEFA Player of the Year. He has an impressive trophy haul this year, which includes the Champions League, Euro 2020 and the UEFA Super Cup. However, none of those successes could be entirely chalked up to Jorginho's individual brilliance.
That could unfortunately have an adverse impact on his chances of winning the Best FIFA Men's Player Award this year.
#2 Lionel Messi (Argentina/Paris Saint-Germain)
Lionel Messi won a record seventh Ballon d'Or on Monday. Although he is yet to really get going at Paris Saint-Germain, Messi did a great job in the first half of the year. He single-handedly dragged Barcelona back into the 2020-21 La Liga title race.
Messi turned in multiple matchwinning performances to help Barcelona get back on their feet last term. He was their standout performer as the Catalans won the Copa Del Rey. But Messi's crowning achievement was winning the 2021 Copa America with Argentina.
He was named the Best Player of the tournament. Messi was the top goalscorer and assist provider as well. He scored four goals and provided five assists in seven appearances in the tournament. The 34-year-old, however, has not been anywhere near his best this season at his new club.
#1 Robert Lewandowski (Poland/Bayern Munich)
If Robert Lewandowski had won the Ballon d'Or this year, it would have only been well deserved. The Polish international is inarguably the best striker on the planet right now. He broke Gerd Muller's record for the most goals scored in a single Bundesliga season (40) last term by scoring 41 goals in 29 appearances.
Lewandowski won the European Golden Shoe and finished the 2020-21 season with 48 goals and nine assists in 40 appearances across all competitions for the Bavarians. He then scored three goals in three appearances for Poland at Euro 2020. The 33-year-old has been in irrepressible form this term as well.
He has already scored 25 goals in 20 appearances across all competitions this season. Lewandowski has been a class apart since the start of the season and is still going strong. He is our pick to win the Best FIFA Men's Player Award this year.
