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The Ballon d'Or has imposed itself as one of the most awaited events among the fans in world football, and this year will be no different. With France Football having already announced the 30-man shortlist for the prestigious award, the debate concerning the identity of the winner has already started.
Portugal and Argentina captains Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have dominated the podium in the last 10 seasons, will their reign extend furthermore or will this one be any different? We take a look at the main top 5 candidates for the Ballon d'Or 2017 award.
#5 - Paulo Dybala
The disappointing shadow-performance against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League final is one of the essential reasons why Dybala might not be a serious contender to clinch the award this year.
However, to downplay the great year he had, just because of one sub-par game, would be criminal. The Argentinian magician led Juventus very far in Europe, but his master-class against FC Barcelona in the first leg of the semi-final, was the perfect timing to prove to the world that he is on a world-class level - as he scored a brace in Turin, which turned out to be decisive in sending the Old Lady to the final.
With 12 goals in 12 games this season already, it seems like Paulo Dybala is on his way cement himself as a Ballon d'Or candidate for many years to follow. Thanks to his sensational close control, brilliant vision and ever-improving end product, La Joya has won the heart of Serie A fans.
#4 - Luka Modric
Real Madrid have dominated Europe for a while now, and their recent success would not have been possible without their midfield maestro, the one and only, Luka Modric.
Despite having a rather quiet first half of the 2016/17 season and being hunted by injuries, the Croatian lived up to his reputation as soon as the big-games approached. Modric has stood out as one of Madrid's main figures in the quest to claim the Spanish League and the Champions League.
The European semi-final against Atlético Madrid came on top of his marvellous 2017 year, where he out-classed Diego Simeone's men and proved just why many consider him to be the best midfielder in the world.
Real Madrid have the best midfield in the world, with Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric all being essential parts of it, but it is the Croatian maestro who can drive the ball forward with his superb technique, in order to create spaces for his teammates, in tight games where the team struggles to break the defensive lines.
#3 - Neymar
Neymar is regarded by many as the third best player in the world, and the heir who will take the throne, once Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo step away from the scene.
The Brazilian combines technique with skill-set, dribbling flair, vision and end product. He is one of the most exciting players in action, as he proved when he helped FC Barcelona hammer Paris Saint Germain in the return leg of the Champions League quarter-final last season.
It was a mission that seemed impossible, as the rest of his teammates had already surrendered. But Neymar believed, and was able to gradually revive the hopes of his teammates with two goals, and ultimately, the decisive assist that guided the Catalans to achieve the historical remuntada.
Neymar would go on to join the team that he tore apart, Paris Saint-Germain, for a record fee of around €222 million. Life in Paris has not been too bad for 25-year old so far, as he has already scored 8 goals and mustered 7 assists.
It is worth noting that Neymar was essential in helping Brazil top the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers by a margin of ten points, over second-placed Uruguay, with mouth-watering performances against South American giants such as Uruguay in Montevideo, and back-to-back Copa América champions Chile in Sao Paulo.
#2 - Lionel Messi
Last season's Champions League edition was a rather complicated one for FC Barcelona as a team, which directly affected Lionel Messi, as he could not make the difference against Paris Saint-Germain, nor Juventus in the decisive stages. It is the essential reason why he just loses out on the number one spot.
Although the Ballon d'Or is an individual award, it is common knowledge that a player's influence indirectly leading his team to major trophies plays a major role in deciding the outcome of the winner.
Having said that, Messi had plenty of magic to offer in 2017. Besides leading Barcelona to Spanish cup triumph, the Argentinian has gathered some eye-catching stats.
This season, Messi is already on 16 goals and 3 assists in all competitions and has helped Barcelona stand on top of the league, with a 4-point gap over Valencia, in second place. His hat-trick away to Ecuador in the CONMEBOL qualifiers meant that Argentina were able to book their ticket for the FIFA World Cup.
Despite not being the most decisive player in the Champions League last term, Messi has been the footballer with the best start to the new campaign. His recent heroics have certainly earned him a place in the top two.
#1 - Cristiano Ronaldo
Even when it comes to individual awards, football is before anything a team-game. The greatest individuals are the ones who can guide their teams to major trophies, which certainly applies on Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi - who have both demonstrated it better than anyone has, in recent times.
There is little doubt that Cristiano Ronaldo deserves to claim his fifth Ballon d'Or this year - which he most probably will. His start to the new season may not have been the best, mainly due to his 4-game ban, but we all know that in seasons that exclude the World Cup, the award is always handed to the best performer of the Champions League, usually determined by early June.
The Portuguese star stepped up in crucial moments, with a hat-trick against Bayern Munich in the quarter-final, followed by another one against Atlético Madrid in the semis, before topping it with a brace against Juventus in the final, in Cardiff. Ronaldo's decisive 12 goals over the course of the tournament meant that Real Madrid would become the first club in history to win back-to-back Champions League titles since the new edition was launched.
In addition to that, the 32-year old's presence was felt, when Portugal needed him in order to book a spot in the FIFA World Cup.
