The 2020 Ballon d’Or was canceled due to the outbreak of the covid-19 pandemic. A year most football lovers and pundits believed was the perfect year for the Polish and Bayern Munich striker, Robert Lewandowski to win the most prestigious individual award in football. However, 2021 is here and it is moving towards the end already. So while we are yet to move on fully from the covid-19 pandemic, we’ve found a way to move around it, and football has since resumed.
Following the football resumption, there have been a new set of players emerging with each one of them laying credible claim to the most sought-after award in football, through their amazing performances. Hence, the question that has come out from various quarters including the critics and football fans is who will win this 2021 Ballon d’Or? Is the road still clear for Robert Lewandowski like the year 2020? Are the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo caught up this year? What about the two Princes from Paris, both Neymar Jr., and Kylian Mbappe? Or maybe it is the Borussia Dortmund goal machine, Erling Haaland, the jury is yet to be out. But before then, you can visit any of the bet sites in Nigeria regarding the latest sports games, betting tips, and odds. Anyone can quickly bet now to stand a better chance of winning cash rewards.
Therefore we take a look at the top contenders for the Ballon d’Or at the moment to see where it is likely the winner comes from.
Top 10 players in the race for Ballon d’Or 2021 according to Power Ranking.
1. Neymar Jr. – Brazil (Paris Saint-Germain)
- The Brazilian international has played an integral part in ensuring his team reached the 2021 Copa America final, after defeating Peru in the semifinal. In 2021 alone at the moment of writing, he has only 12 goals, with 10 assists. The PSG is known for his talent and drilling skills, but in recent times, he hasn’t lived up to the hype surrounding him.
Trophy Won: Coupe de France & Trophee des Champions.
2. Erling Haaland – Norway (Borussia Dortmund)
- Ever since the Norwegian became a breakout star, he has established himself as one of the most fearsome forwards in the world, just behind the incredible Bayern and Polish Striker in the German Bundesliga. A move away from Borussia Dortmund to a bigger club could enhance his performance and reputation. However, without qualifying for Euro 2020, the hype has reduced until when the new club football season begins. He has 25 goals and 9 assists.
Trophy Won: DFB-Pokal.
3. Raheem Sterling – England (Manchester City)
- The England vice captain’s reputation has increased in the last few days. Thanks to his crucial goals in the Euro 2020 lifting his country, England, out of the difficult situation. The Manchester City man, had a good season at club level as a team, having won two domestic cups. So far, he has 11 goals and 6 assists.
Trophy Won: English Premier League & Carabao Cup
4. Christian Ronaldo – Portugal (Juventus)
- The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has a good individual season at club level, but not as a team, with Juventus barely qualifying for the next UEFA champions league after finishing fourth, at the expense of Napoli who collapsed towards the end of the league season. The Portuguese Captain was the top scorer in Serie A, despite his club failing to retain the league title.
Trophy Won: Coppa Italia & Supercoppa Italiana
5. Kevin De Bruyne – Belgium (Manchester City)
- The Belgian superstar would probably still be feeling the sad tales of his club in the Uefa Champions League final where Manchester City lost narrowly to Chelsea in a cagey affair. One of the best productive midfielders out there, and having won various individual awards in the English Premier League alone, he managed 10 goals, and 10 assists in 2021 alone, before Italy eliminated them in the quarterfinal at the Euro 2020
Trophy won: English Premier League & Carabao Cup
6. Kylian Mbappe – France (Paris Saint-Germain)
- The Prince of Paris and the golden boy France only have good individual performances, while the club and country failed to live up to the hype on the biggest occasion. His club PSG failed to win the Ligue 1, while also losing to the runner-up, Manchester City, at the Uefa champions league semi-final. Known for his scoring prowess, Mbappe has so far scored: 29 goals, seven assists in the last season
Trophy won Coupe de France & Trophee des Champions
7. Romelu Lukaku – Belgium: (Inter Milan)
- The big Belgian striker moved to Italy to fulfill his potential, and so far he’s living up to that, having scored many goals for his club, Inter Milan, and won the Scudetto, after many years of Juventus domination. The drawback in Lukaku’s claim is the Belgium quarter final exit at the hand of Italy.
Trophy Won: Serie A.
8. N’golo Kante – France: (Chelsea)
- The Les Blue energetic midfielder had a turning point season with Chelsea following their change in the coach which led to Kante and his team winning the Uefa Champions League against the media favorite Manchester City. France was eliminated by Switzerland in a penalty shoot-out at round 16 in Euro 2020 and that has been a drawback to his incredible performance so far.
Trophy Won: UEFA Champions League
9. Robert Lewandowski – Poland: (Bayern Munich)
- The Bayern Munich and Polish striker chances got dented by the poor performance of his national team Euro 2020, but the most dangerous out and out striker has incredible scoring records, and he has been instrumental to both Bayern and his country in their recent on-field success.
Trophy Won: Bundesliga & Club World Cup.
10. Lionel Messi – Argentina: (No Club)
- The six-time Ballon d’Or winner. Lionel Messi, together with his rival Cristiano Ronaldo has proven themselves over the years. Regardless of their overall team performances, they always show their qualities. Messi will be hoping to win his seventh Ballon d’Or this year. His form at Copa America is excellent and he will need to end the year in grand style if he is to win the biggest individual football award again.
Trophy Won: Copa Del Rey.