'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
Having spent his youth in the mid-table mediocrity of Serie A, Bruno Fernandes has secured his first Ballon d'Or nomination at the age of 27. Spellbound by his fine showing at Sporting CP, Manchester United chose to splash €63 million on the creative midfielder midway through the 2019-20 season.
Fast forward one-and-a-half years, and the Red Devils' decision to acquire Fernandes has turned out to be a complete stroke of genius. The Portuguese talisman has single-handedly revitalized a lackluster United side, firing them to a second-place finish last term.
The kind of impact Fernandes has had at a club of United's stature is truly surreal. His consistent and breathtaking outings have restricted Donny van de Beek to just a few substitute appearances. Taking his performances of last year into consideration, it is hard to comprehend that 2021 will be the first year that Fernandes is considered for the Ballon d'Or award.
#2 Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund)
Another entry on the newcomers list, Erling Haaland has successfully nabbed his first Ballon d'Or nomination this year. Aged just 21, Haaland's maturity towards the game is way beyond his years. A dedicated and hardworking professional, the Norwegian is already one of the best players in the world.
Having announced himself to the football fraternity in style at RB Salzburg, Haaland brought his insane form to Borussia Dortmund in 2020. Since signing for the German giants, the young prodigy has scored a whopping 68 goals in just 67 appearances.
Haaland has continued with his goalscoring antics this season, amassing a freakish 11 goals in just eight games across all competitions. With such a colossal output on a regular basis, the agile forward is sure to dominate the Ballon d'Or podium in the coming years, along with Kylian Mbappe.
#1 Jorginho (Chelsea)
Apart from Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski, Chelsea star Jorginho is the other leading contender for this year's Ballon d'Or. The Italian midfielder has had an amazing 2021, making every other footballer on the planet green with envy.
Following the arrival of Thomas Tuchel, Jorginho became an undroppable part of the squad, beautifully controlling the tempo of his team's play. His precise passing game was instrumental in Chelsea's unexpected turnaround last season, guiding them to an unlikely Champions League victory.
He followed a brilliant 2020-21 campaign with an equally brilliant Euro 2020. Jorginho started every game at the tournament, playing 98 per cent of the available minutes. The technically gifted playmaker went on to stage a historic win with his Italian team-mates, winning the continental tournament. He also added the UEFA Super Cup to his trophy cabinet in August.
Voted as the Best Midfielder at the Euros and UEFA Best Player in Europe, Jorginho has a real shot at winning the Ballon d'Or at the first time of asking.
Also read: 5 Ballon d'Or nominees from obscure nations in the 21st century
