Top 10 Players Who Could Win The Ballon d'Or this year

After the unfortunate departure of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo from FIFA World Cup, other superstars in contention have a golden opportunity to stamp their name in history.

Despite football's biggest extravaganza, 2017/18 season has been great with many players delivering extraordinary performances.

Names like Mo Salah, Kevin De Bruyne, and, Harry Kane have emerged as strong contenders to get their hands on Ballon d'Or.

There's no denying that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have had immense contribution to the world of football but some new arrivals are going to make their jobs difficult this year.

With World Cup scheduled to conclude in a week, the world awaits a new contender, a contender who would dethrone two of the biggest names in football and cement his legacy as the best in the world.

So, without further ado, let's dive deep and rate ten players who could win the Ballon d'Or from worst to best.

#10 Luka Modric - Real Madrid and Croatia

Regarded highly as one of the most talented midfielders in the world, Luka Modric is at the peak of his career at the moment.

Despite adding depth and character to the Real Madrid squad, the Croatian is making his nation proud as Croatia looks set to clash with England in the semi-finals of the World Cup.

While Russia's football extravaganza will decide the fate of the talented man, Modric has managed to score four goals in his 49 appearances, for both club and country.

The former Tottenham playmaker also assisted eight times, resulting in victories for his country and the club.

Considering that his side pulls off a miracle in Russia, the man himself would elevate his status as one of the top players on the planet.

Having won the UEFA Champions League this season, Modric's stock is only going up, and if his side indeed wins the World Cup, then there could be a Ballon d'Or awaiting him.

#9 Eden Hazard - Chelsea and Belgium

I s — Is it time for Hazard to prove his worth?

Eden Hazard's brilliant attacking style and leadership skills have catapulted him into one of the most valuable players in the modern era.

The Belgian sensation has scored 20 goals in 59 appearances with 9 assists, for both club and country. Chelsea's No. 10 has decided the match many times by being man of the match for about thirteen times this season.

Moreover, with Belgium completely ruling the FIFA World Cup in Russia, Hazard's stock is continuing to elevate on a daily basis.

While Chelsea did finish 5th this season, Hazard managed to shine and made his presence felt, deciding a lot of matches by himself.

Having won the FA Cup with Chelsea this season, the Belgian captain looks dead set to win the World Cup for his nation.

Despite being one of the most selfless players playing in the EPL, Hazard is reportedly rumoured to leave the London side and join Real Madrid.

If Belgium does get their hands on football's biggest prize, there's a strong possibility that this Chelsea sensation could be on the verge of grabbing the Ballon d'Or.

#8 Kylian Mbappe - PSG and France

The French sensation has the whole world talking

Despite France not being able to display how tough they are when they attack, Kylian Mbappe has emerged to gravitate much attention through his world-class attack.

France's Golden Boy single-handedly threw Argentina out of the Quarter Final, in what was an epic thrilling contest.

The 19-year old scored 27 goals from his 52 appearances, for both the club and country and 11 successful assists, garnering him tremendous appraisal from all around the world.

Paris Saint-German managed to win four trophies this year, with Mbappe playing an influential role in many contests.

There are not many players in the world that can play alongside Neymar and Cavani, and still manage to gravitate the spotlight on them.

France is scheduled to face Belgium in the semi-finals of the World Cup, and if the French side does win the trophy, Mbappe's stock will be at its peak.

He's too young to be considered the best in the world, but his game could win him many accolades this year.

#7 Antoine Griezmann - Atletico Madrid and France

Will he — Will this be Griezmann's time?

An unstoppable attacker like Antoine Griezmann could be the perfect footballer to replace Messi and Ronaldo if he manages to capture the World Cup with France.

There is no denying that his technical abilities assist him to change the game, whether playing for the club or the country.

The French sensation, along with Mbappe and Pogba, are widely regarded as the top players in world football today.

His continuous strong performances have caught the eye of many big clubs, with Barcelona always asking for his availability in the transfer market.

Having scored 33 goals from 63 appearances this season, Griezmann continues to have a strong year.

If the Frenchman is able to guide his nation to a thrilling victory in Russia, there is a slight possibility that he could be considered for the Ballon d'Or this year.

The man was part of the Spanish club which won the Europa League this season and finished second in La Liga.

With Atletico Madrid likely to keep him next season, it would be a bright start to the season for Griezmann, if he does win the honour of being called the best in the world.

#6 Neymar - PSG and Brazil

Well, the world shares a lot of divided opinions when it comes to Neymar, but there's no denying that the Brazilian delivers big on the ground.

Often mocked for his acts on the field, Neymar has transformed himself to one of the most talented individuals on the planet.

Being the most expensive player in the world does come with a lot of responsibilities, and the PSG playmaker has managed to prove his critics wrong every step of the way.

With PSG winning four trophies this season, Neymar's contribution remains influential in pulling the French side to a different stratosphere.

The 26-year old game changer scored a cracking 31 goals from merely 35 appearances, with 17 successful assists this season, for both club and country.

Despite being knocked out of the World Cup in the Quarter Finals, Neymar is still garnering various accolades from all over the world.

With such strong statistics, there could still be a chance that Neymar could be considered for the Ballon d'Or, if not winning it.

#5 Mohamed Salah - Liverpool and Egypt

In what was one of the most commendable seasons for any individual footballer, Mohamed Salah has single-handedly put his name on the world map.

Despite not winning any trophy last season with Liverpool, the Egyptian King looks dead set to achieve greater things with the English side.

Having scored 48 goals in 57 appearances, with 14 assists, Salah was an influential member in Liverpool's road to the Champions League Final.

The Egyptian player was also influential in catapulting Egypt to the World Cup Finals after 28 years, by scoring a decisive penalty.

The 26-year old broke EPL's All-time goal scoring record; scoring 32 goals in his debut season for the club.

With Messi and Ronaldo failing to impress this year, there could be a possibility that Mohamed Salah could end up in the Top 3 contenders this year.

#4 Lionel Messi - FCB and Argentina

Words fall short to describe Messi's incredible agility and ability to change the game. The Argentine Superstar has definitely altered the landscape of Spanish football in the world.

However, since we are talking about Ballon d'Or 2018, statistics and personal accolades do come into play and Messi could be losing out this time.

The Barcelona Icon bagged 51 goals from 61 appearances, with 16 assists this season. The man himself was a game changer for his side, winning the man of the match 29 times.

While his comparisons with Ronaldo will continue to remain a focal point, the 31-year old was heavily backed to win the FIFA World Cup this year.

With his side failing to achieve the desired result, Messi could be on the verge of being held back for the first time in 11 years, after winning the Ballon d'Or five times.

Whether the man does win this season or not, there's no denying that he will end up being one of the greatest players of all time.

#3 Cristiano Ronaldo - Real Madrid and Portugal

The Portuguese Sensation could have a chance

Ronaldo is one of the most talked about superstars in recent memory and still continues to carry an aura that is too hard to ignore.

His comparisons with Messi continue to float, but a new player's emergence to the frame could end the similarities and differences for good.

However, the Portuguese forward did have a great season, winning four trophies with Real Madrid, more notably, the UEFA Champions League.

The Real Madrid sensation also bagged the highest number of goals in the Champions League this season, scoring 15 goals.

With 49 goals from 51 appearances this season, Ronaldo could be in a considerable position in being the top three race this season.

Considering that he is rumoured to move to Juventus soon, bringing the Ballon d'Or with him would be enlightening for the Italian side.

#2 Kevin De Bruyne - Manchester City and Belgium

There is — Where there is De Bruyne, there is hope

In what could be a monumental year for Belgium, Kevin De Bruyne stands in front of Messi and Ronaldo, as the real contender to win the Ballon d'Or 2018.

The Belgian's extraordinary performances have garnered him a lot of appreciation and, considering that his side wins the World Cup, there wouldn't be any stopping him.

The Manchester City midfielder has displayed his credibility by making the highest number of assists this season and was very much influential in their side's victory in the EPL.

Having been announced as the Etihad Player of the Season, Kevin De Bruyne could be getting his hands on football's biggest prize in a week from now.

Belgium is scheduled to face France in the semi-finals, in what could be a thrilling contest. The 27-year old completely decimated World Cup favourites, Brazil, and ended their dream to win the trophy.

If his abilities and statistics are anything to be taken into consideration, De Bruyne could be the right man to dethrone Messi and Ronaldo for good.

#1 Harry Kane - Tottenham and England

The Ballon d'Or could be coming home too

Harry Kane's meteoric rise to the top of English football has been incredible, to say the least. England forward is continuing to be a brilliant attacker, with his country moving towards the World Cup Finals.

Despite the collective team effort of the players, Kane has managed to bag six goals in the tournament, which could lead him to win the Golden Boot.

Kane has scored 50 goals in 55 appearances for his club and country this season, and if statistics are anything to be considered, there you have it.

If England does manage to pull off a miracle in Russia and win the FIFA World Cup, then it could mark the dawn of a new era in the world of football.

With England's Golden Generation failing to live the biggest prize, Harry Kane could lead them to their first World Cup, after grabbing the prize in 1966.

If the biggest prize in world football is coming home, then a personal accolade, in the name of Ballon d'Or could be coming home too.