As the calendar nears the month of December, all the football fans are getting into a serious discussion about who will win Ballon d’Or 2021. And for those who don’t know about this prestigious award let me give a brief about it. Ballon d’Or is an annual football award which is presented by French news magazine France football.
The winner of one of the oldest and prestigious awards is decided by the performance of the player in the last season. While there is also a voting system where football journalist, coaches, and national captains cast their votes for the named players. And following those two processes, the winner is decided who then would lift a shining golden ball.
In the last 12 years, there have been so-called dictatorship as Lionel Messi lifted the award six times and Cristiano Ronaldo five times. Only in 2018, the magician midfielder Luka Modric broke the continuous name of Ronaldo and Messi. And that was also well-deserving as Modric had a great season with Real Madrid and took Croatia to the world cup finals.
Last year means 2020, the Ballon d’Or was canceled due to the covid pandemic. But if it was held then Roberto Lewandowski would have won it. However, bad luck for the Poland international. But this year the Ballon d’Or award ceremony will be held and it might be in December. And here we will give you the top five contenders for the Ballon d’Or 2021.
Top 5 Rankings for Ballon d’Or 2021:
5. N’ Golo Kante- Chelsea and France
The midfielder was one of the most important players for the Chelsea side, as they lifted the Champions League title for the second time. While the Frenchman also lifted four man-of-the-match in the Champions League campaign last season. And following Kante’s four man-of-the-match he was named the best midfielder in the Champions League season.
Apart from that Kante also showed a remarkable performance in the Euro campaign. But, unfortunately, France getting out in the round of 16 has set him back in the Ballon d’Or likes. However, he has the opportunity to lift that up, if France wins the Nations League title.
4. Cristiano Ronaldo- Manchester United/ Juventus and Portugal
There is no doubt Cristiano Ronaldo’s name will be in the top five contenders for the Ballon d’Or award. Lifting the prestigious award five times in his career, the Portuguese will look forward to adding his sixth this time.
Playing for Juventus last season, Ronaldo became the top scorer of the Serie A, scoring 29 goals. Following which he was awarded the MVP striker title by the Italian League. However, his form didn’t go well only for Juventus as he was the main man for Portugal in the Euro 2020. he was the top scorer of the Euro campaign with 5 goals, despite Portugal getting out in the round-of-16.
However, despite giving a brilliant individual performance he sits down in the ranking due to not lifting any major trophies last season. And with the downfall of Juventus, Ronaldo signed for Manchester United this summer making his return to the club after 12 years. Following his Manchester move, we may see up in the rankings next year. Last, but not least Ronaldo is now the men’s international top scorer surpassing Ali Daei with 111 goals.
3. Robert Lewandowski- Bayern Munich and Poland
The Poland star and so-called Robert Goalski sits in the number third ranking for the Ballon d’Or this year. Lewandowski had a good season with Bayern Munich as the German giants won the Bundesliga title for the 30th time. While the forward broke Gerard Muller’s record of most goals (40 goals in 38 matches) in a Bundesliga season. Lewandowski finished his last Bundesliga season with 41 goals that also in 29 games. Following his performance, he was named the best player for Bayern Munich for the 2020-21 season.
The Poland star would have definitely won the Ballon d’Or last year if the award ceremony was not canceled due to the covid pandemic. Last season Lewandowski helped Bayern win a treble, scoring 48 goals in 40 games. But this time it’s looking somewhat difficult for the forward to win the Ballon d’Or. However, if we consider joining two seasons for selecting the winner, there is no doubt Robert Lewandowski would lift the award.
2. Jorginho- Chelsea and Italy
The midfielder had a dream summer as he went to lift the Champions League with Chelsea and Euro Cup with Italy. Playing the midfield he was seen as the most technical player on the pitch for both club and country. However, not judge Jorginho by the goals and assist last season as he had more things do the pitch.
Coming after the summer break the Italian also lifted the UEFA Super Cup as Chelsea won against the Spanish side Villareal. And following his great performance in UEFA competitions last season, Jorginho was chosen UEFA Men’s Player of the year. While the Italian is also one of the top contenders for winning the Ballon d’Or award.
1. Lionel Messi- Barcelona/ Paris Saint-Germain and Argentina
The man with six Ballon d’Or awards is leading the race for his seventh this year, and it is none other than, Lionel Messi. The Argentine was the most talked subject this summer due to two reasons. First, his transfer to Paris Saint-Germain, yes it is still strange not to see the little man in Barcelona colors. The second is a joyous moment as Lionel Messi lifted his first international trophy winning the Copa America this summer.
Messi in the last season led Barcelona from the front while also led the La Liga top scorer race. The Argentine scored 30 goals in the Spanish league appearing in 35 games. While he helped Barcelona lift the Copa Del Ray title beating the Athletic club in the final. Messi carrying his form helped Argentina winning the Copa America, beating Brazil in the final.
While he was the top scorer of Copa America with 4 goals; the top assist maker of Copa America with 5 to his name. Following that he was named the Copa America player of the tournament. And now with all that combined he leads the rankings for Ballon d’Or 2021.
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