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The Ballon d'Or gala is nearing with every passing minute and the players who have been shortlisted are perhaps praying that they get it. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have both won the prestigious award 5 times each. No player other than the both of them has won it since, 2008. However, this time around things could change due to the FIFA World Cup.
The World Cup saw a lot of players starring for their respective countries whereas, a few players have been shortlisted thanks, to their marvellous performances at the club level. It looks as though, the duopoly won't have it all their way, this time around. Players ranging from youngsters like Kylian Mbappe to veterans like Luka Modric have been shortlisted.
However, a few world-class players like Neymar and Paul Pogba were omitted from the ten-man shortlist. Here's a glimpse at the ten-man shortlist:
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
2. Kevin De Bruyne
3. Antoine Griezmann
4. Eden Hazard
5. Harry Kane
6. Kylian Mbappe
7. Lionel Messi
8. Luka Modric
9. Mohammed Salah
10. Raphael Varane
As we now know who the candidates for the Ballon d'Or are, we shall move and have a look at the 5 players who have the best chance of winning the prestigious award.
#5 Kylian Mbappe
The teenage sensation has quickly made a name for himself as one of the best in the world. The PSG forward had a World Cup to remember as he scored 4 goals in 6 games. His stupendous performances won him the Best Young Player Award at the FIFA World Cup this year. His amazing performance at the World Cup helped France win it for the second time.
However, it wasn’t only with his country that he played well.He was superb for PSG along with Neymar and Edinson Cavani as he helped PSG to the Ligue 2 title. In the 46 appearances he made last season, he scored 21 goals and assisted a further 15. He was one of the best players for both his country and club last season.
Being shortlisted itself is a proud moment for a 19 year old and if he wins it or even makes it to the last 3, no one will be happier than him.
All stats via Transfermarkt
#4 Lionel Messi
The Argentine striker is unarguably one of the best in the history of football and the best along with Ronaldo, in the modern world. He is a prolific goal scorer and has been phenomenal throughout his career. The Barcelona striker might have been the strongest contender for the Ballon d'Or, had he performed well at the World Cup. But unfortunately, he wasn't at his best.
He scored once and assisted twice at the World Cup and although that is great for most players, a lot more is expected from a 5 time Ballon d'Or winner. He scored 45 goals and assisted a further 18 in 54 games last season. His chances of winning the Ballon d'Or for a record 6th time look bleak due to, his below average World Cup.
#3 Cristiano Ronaldo
He is the only one who can be compared with Lionel Messi and the only one with whom, Messi can be compared with. He has also won the coveted Ballon d'Or for a record 5 times and one can say that he is ahead of Messi in the race for another one. In the 44 appearances last season, he scored 44 times and assisted 8 times. He recently joined Juventus for a reported fee of £99 million.
He starred for Portugal at the World Cup with 4 goals from 4 matches, but lack of support from fellow team-mates led to his team's ouster in the Round of 16. He is most likely to have a podium finish, but the question is, will he win the Ballon d'Or?
#2 Antoine Griezmann
The French forward has gone on to establish himself as one of the best in the business and is perhaps the best striker in the modern world, other than the duopoly. He was a key part of the French team that lifted the World Cup this year as he scored 4 goals and assisted twice in 7 games. These performances helped him bag the Silver Boot and the Bronze Ball.
The Atletico Madrid star scored 29 goals and contributed in 15 more in 49 appearances last season. He is definitely ahead of Messi and Ronaldo due to the World Cup exploits and significant performances with his club. If luck favors him, he could have a Ballon d'Or in his hands on the day of the gala.
#1 Luka Modric
The star midfielder has had a season to remember this time around. He helped Real Madrid win the Club World Cup and also the UEFA Champions League this season. But it wasn't just his success with the club but the success with his country. He captained underdogs, Croatia to the World Cup final and won the Golden Ball as well.
He scored twice and assisted once in the World Cup. Although they aren't the best stats, one must consider that fact that he is a midfielder and his real contribution to a team can be noticed, only when the person sees the entire match. In the 43 appearances for Real Madrid this season, he scored twice and assisted 8 times.
He is the strongest contender to win the Ballon d'Or this year, but can he do the double of the Ballon d'Or and the Golden Ball?
