Number 2: Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin de Bruyne has enjoyed a meteoric rise, from being rejected by Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, to widely being considered as one of the best midfielders in the game today. He enjoyed a hugely successful domestic season with Manchester City, leading the Premier League assist-charts and winning the Premier League itself by a considerable margin over local rivals Manchester United. He was also an integral part of the Belgium side that achieved their best ever finish so far, 3rd place. His success in these competitions, as well as his direct contributions to those successes, make sure that he is a leading contender to lift the Ballon d'Or next year.
Edited by Anirban Banerjee