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For a long time, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have dominated Ballon d'Or discussions.
The Ballon d'Or, arguably the most prestigious individual award in football, has seen more contenders emerge in recent years, though. Luka Modric's win in 2018 paved the way for other players to enter the discussion. The likes of Virgil van Dijk and Robert Lewandowski have been close to winning the Ballon d'Or since then.
On that note, here's a look at five players who could finish above Cristiano Ronaldo in the Ballon d'Or 2021 standings:
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#5 N'Golo Kante
A few months ago, there were suggestions that N'Golo Kante was the favourite to win the Ballon d'Or award this time around.
While those noises have since subsided, it would not be surprising to see Kante finish in a high position in the award rankings. The France international is one of the best midfielders in world football, and displayed his qualities on a regular basis for Chelsea last season.
His performances, especially in the later stages of the Champions League against Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid, garnered widespread praise.
Kante was awarded the UEFA Champions League Midfielder of the Season for his role in Chelsea's victorious campaign. The 30-year-old also finished third in the UEFA Men's Player of the Year award, ahead of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. So Kante could be in the conversation for this year's Ballon d'Or award.
#4 Jorginho
When the 2020-21 season started, few would have expected Jorginho to be in the reckoning for the Ballon d'Or award this year.
Jorginho is an excellent player, but he is not a glamorous operator. Renowned for his composed passing and technical ability, the midfielder is seen by many as one of the best players in the world right now. He added the Champions League and the Euros to his trophy cabinet this summer, playing a key role in both triumphs.
The 29-year-old won the UEFA Men's Player of the Year award, ahead of Kevin De Bruyne and his Chelsea teammate Kante. Many have argued against Jorginho's individual accolades, so if he does get his hands on the Ballon d'Or award, it could be a controversial decision.
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#3 Karim Benzema
One player who does deserve individual accolades like the Ballon d'Or award is Karim Benzema. The striker has been consistently outstanding for Real Madrid for some time now.
Benzema is, in fact, getting better with age. The attacker joined Real Madrid as a prodigious talent from Lyon in 2009 for £31.5 million. He has established himself as one of the best players in world football since then, and is regarded by many as a complete striker.
The France international is a prolific goalscorer who also happens to be a world-class creator. Benzema has been in sensational form for Los Blancos since Cristiano Ronaldo's departure in 2018, and has become the club's bonafide star.
The 33-year-old has the most goal contributions of any player in the top five leagues this season. In eight league games, he has scored nine goals, and provided seven assists.
#2 Robert Lewandowski
In an ideal world, Robert Lewandowski should win the Ballon d'Or award this time. In 2020, the striker was the best player in world football, and was key in Bayern Munich winning their second continental treble.
However, the Ballon d'Or award was cancelled that year. The Poland international has not let his level drop, though. If anything, Lewandowski has only got better. Arguably the best striker in the world now, he is scoring at an incredible rate, and is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Last season, the 33-year-old broke the late Gerd Muller's long-standing record of most goals (40) scored in a Bundesliga season, by netting 41 times. In 2020, Lewandowski won both the UEFA Men's Player of the Year and the Best FIFA Men's Player awards. He is likely to try and better that this year, though.
#1 Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is the favourite to win the Ballon d'Or award this time, after his victorious Copa America 2021 campaign for Argentina this summer.
The pressure on Messi to lead Argentina to an international trophy has been enormous. The superstar forward managed to do that this year, captaining La Albiceleste to victory in the Copa America, and winning the Copa America Best Player award as well.
The 34-year-old Messi has endured a timid start to his Paris Saint-Germain stint, going by his staggeringly high standards. However, the little magician looks set to get his hands on his seventh Ballon d'Or award, considering his international success as well as his consistently excellent performances for Barcelona last season.
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