The Best FIFA Men's Player Award 2021: Ranking the top 5 favourites - October 2021

#3 Jorginho (Italy/Chelsea)

Italy v England - UEFA Euro 2020: Final

Jorginho has been absolutely feasting this summer. After winning the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea, he played a crucial role in Italy's triumphant run at Euro 2020. He also won the UEFA Super Cup at the start of the season with the Blues.

While top players can get sidelined in the race for the award owing to a lack of major trophies, Jorginho's case is an anomaly. Don't get us wrong. The Italian international has performed at a high level but it would be odd to suggest that it's his individual brilliance that inspired his teams to glory.

That has definitely been a factor but the jury is still out on whether it was the decisive one. National team coaches and captains are expected to give a lot of weight to major trophies won. While he might lose out on the fans' share of votes, Jorginho remains a serious contender to win the prestigious award this year.

#2 Robert Lewandowski (Poland/Bayern Munich)

FC Bayern München v Dinamo Kiev: Group E - UEFA Champions League

Winner of last year's award, Robert Lewandowski has stacked up incredible numbers to make a push for it this time around as well. He broke Gerd Muller's record (40 goals) for the most goals scored in a 38-game Bundesliga season by scoring 41 in 29 appearances.

Lewandowski managed to score three goals at Euro 2020 but Poland's group stage exit will severely hamper his chances. In fact, the 33-year-old only has the Bundesliga as a major trophy.

Although Lewandowski might just stop short of retaining the Best FIFA Men's Player Award, he deserves to be in the top 3.

#1 Lionel Messi (Argentina/Paris Saint-Germain)

Paris Saint-Germain v Manchester City: Group A - UEFA Champions League

The lack of a major international trophy has been used as an argument by detractors to deny Lionel Messi the GOAT status. But this summer, he took things into his own hands and propelled Argentina to continental glory in the Copa America.

Messi was chosen as the Best Player of the tournament. He scored four goals and provided five assists for La Albiceleste as Argentina won the tournament after a span of 28 years.

The 34-year-old has been in sensational form in 2021 and had also won the La Liga Golden Boot with Barcelona. He scored 38 goals and provided 14 assists in 47 appearances for the Catalans last term and also won the Copa Del Rey.