'%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)
The 2021 Ballon d'Or award was announced yesterday as history was made, with Lionel Messi winning the award for a record-extending seventh time. The final rankings saw Cristiano Ronaldo end up outside the top five for the first time since 2010.
No English player was able to finish in the top 10, with Manchester City's Raheem Sterling ranking the highest in 15th place. That being said, the Ballon d'Or ceremony saw five Premier League players end up in the top 10 in the form of Cristiano Ronaldo, N'Golo Kante, Kevin De Bruyne, Mohamed Salah and Jorginho.
The 2022 Ballon d'Or winner will be difficult to predict
With so much talent and potential present in the football world, it only makes the 2022 Ballon d'Or more interesting. Both experienced and young players have been doing well this season and are expected to be shortlisted for the prestigious award.
Trending
Since the 2021 Ballon d'Or nominee list, many shortlisted players have carried on with fabulous form this season but were unable to finish in the top five rankings. If they continue in the same form, some are bound to end up higher in the standings next year.
On that note, let's have a look at those top nominees who can finish in the top five rankings for the 2022 Ballon d'Or:
#5 Phil Foden (Manchester City)
Now this might sound a bit weird, but hear it out. There is no denying that Foden will almost definitely be one of the leading candidates for the Ballon d'Or in the future. But why so early? It is simply because he has shown the kind of development that is unusually astonishing.
Having come through the ranks at Manchester City, Phil Foden has come a long way in his career. Although he's still young, the Englishman has shown the qualities of a mature player on the pitch for Manchester City.
The dynamic midfielder has done incredibly well with his nimble footwork, amazing dribbling and superb creative abilities. Given the high quality players at City, Foden is sometimes underlooked but he remains a vital player under Pep Guardiola.
The English playmaker ended up in 25th place in the final rankings of the 2021 Ballon d'Or. Foden has looked sharp and done well for Manchester City this season. If he continues with the same form, he has the potential and capabilities to end up in the top five of next year's Ballon d'Or.
Manchester City are a side that competes for all trophies and if Foden can mastermind them to the Champions League title, anything is possible.
#4 Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is arguably one of the greatest in football even at the age of 36. Cristiano Ronaldo has been a massive force in the attack for whichever club he has played for in his career.
The Portuguese superstar decided to return to Manchester United this summer and hopefully help the club given their struggles post Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement. Ronaldo still defies age and is a wonderful goal-scorer. He has already been very effective for the Red Devils.
Under new manager Ralf Rangnick, Manchester United can be optimistic about doing better and so can Cristiano Ronaldo. This could turn out to be a real boost for the former Real Madrid attacker and help him strongly push for his sixth Ballon d'Or next year.
#3 Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund)
The 2021 Ballon d'Or nominee shortlist had some fine young players on it and Erling Haaland is one of them. The Norwegian striker has been terrific in front of goal for Borussia Dortmund this season.
With his tall and strong physique, the young striker can muscle past defenders with minimal effort. He has good pace and most importantly an amazing knack for scoring at regular intervals. Haaland is arguably one of the best finishers in the world right now.
Despite being sidelined with an injury this season, the Dortmund forward has been immense, scoring 14 goals across all competitions this season in just 11 appearances.
Haaland could be a strong contender for the Ballon d'Or next year should he continue with the same form. It could even get better for him if he signs for a top European club come next summer.
#2 Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain)
The Frenchman has been a phenomenal player for Paris Saint-Germain ever since he signed for them in 2017. Kylian Mbappe has grown into one of the best young players with the French club being a lethal threat in the attack.
His blistering pace combined with his splendid dribbling skills make him unstoppable at times. Along with that, Mbappe is very helpful in creating and scoring goals. In just 14 appearances in Ligue 1 this season, he has already scored seven goals and assisted in eight other goals.
The former Monaco forward looks very dangerous and should contribute more by the end of the season. Despite finishing ninth in the 2021 Ballon d'Or rankings, it is very likely that Mbappe could end up in the top five next year.
His chances of winning the Ballon d'Or might increase more if he joins his dream club Real Madrid.
#1 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Mohamed Salah is the most in-form player in the Premier League right now. The Egyptian has been spectacular for Liverpool for the past five seasons and is in sizzling form this term as well.
In just 13 appearances, Salah has scored 11 goals and recorded eight assists in the Premier League. His form in Europe hasn't been poor either. With his quick feet, mind-boggling dribbling and brilliant goal-scoring abilities, the former Chelsea man has been brutally effective in attack.
He remains Liverpool's most important player this season and should he win some silverware with the Merseyside club, Salah will be a strong contender for the Ballon d'Or next year.
