#4 Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City, Belgium)
Pep Guardiola's Manchester City are one of the most in-form teams in Europe. Not only are they one of the few teams in the world which are unbeaten this season, they have managed to brush aside teams with relative ease, be it Liverpool or Napoli.
However, the key cog in Guardiola's well-oiled juggernaut is none other than Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian playmaker is often ignored when the best players in the world are discussed, mostly due to his not-so-flamboyant and effortless style of play.
De Bruyne has been on fire this season too, contributing with several assists and goals so far in the season. Many are touting the Citizens to be the favourites to win the UEFA Champions League this season, and whether the Etihad outfit are able to make it to the finals of the competition for the first time in their history or not, depends, in part, on the genius of De Bruyne.
He may not have contributed with a gazillion goals and assists, but De Bruyne is, without doubt, one of the best players in the world and warrants a top 5 finish in the Ballon d'Or.