Ballon d'Or 2018: Predicting the top 10

We are less than 2 weeks away from the Ballon d'Or 2018 gala and the votes have been counted. Every fan, pundit and footballer have their opinion on why their pick should win but this year, there might be a surprise winner.

For the last 10 years, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been winning it and nobody has actually come close to stopping them. Many might argue about Wesley Sneijder and Frank Ribery getting 'robbed' but all that is in the past now.

This year, the duopoly is finally set to end. Luka Modric has taken home the UEFA Best Player of the year award and The Best FIFA Men's Player of the Year award as well. However, winning the Ballon d'Or might not be that simple.

France Football had included a fan poll on their website and given it an official look too but after around 700,000 votes, they decided to take it down. The runaway winner, at that point, did not match that of the pundits and footballers and thus, they decided not to go ahead with it.

The votes just before the poll's deletion stood at:

#1 – Lionel Messi: 48% (338,110)

#2 – Mohamed Salah: 31% (218,362)

#3 – Cristiano Ronaldo: 8% (56,351)

#4 – Luka Modric & Kylian Mbappe: 2% (14,087 each)

Now, only the votes by a jury of journalists are set to be counted. Here are our predictions for the top 10 after the votes are counted:

#10 Harry Kane

England v Panama: Group G - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

Harry Kane is easily one of the best strikers in the world right. The Tottenham star has been scoring consistently for club and country but his trophies section still remains empty.

He does have personal trophies like Premier League Golden Boot and also the World Cup Golden Boot but when it comes to the big ones, he's got nothing. Legends of the game are constantly asking him to switch clubs to achieve that part of his career but the Englishman is staying loyal to Spurs.

He will go down as one of the best Tottenham has ever produced but for him to make a big impression and win the Ballon d'Or, he must win some trophies for his club – which is very difficult to do at Tottenham right now.

#9 Neymar Jr

Neymar had a good start to the year but an injury ended his debut season at Paris Saint-Germain abruptly. The Brazilian was out injured for a few months and returned just in time for the World Cup.

In Russia, Neymar brought out the best in his game and was dominating the game for his country. The former Barcelona star was leaving defenders on the floor but the end product was lacking, and his teammates could not support him in that front either.

Brazil drew vs Switzerland and then needed 2 late goals to win vs Costa Rica. They dominated the game vs Serbia and somehow squeezed through to the quarter-finals with a 2-0 win over Mexico. They lost to 2-1 Belgium and were sent back home.

Neymar did kickoff the 2018/19 season in style and has scored 15 goals and assisted 7 for PSG this season. However, with him playing in a ‘weaker’ league compared to others, his contribution isn't appreciated enough.

#8 Eden Hazard

What a year Eden Hazard is having! From ‘suffering’ under Antonio Conte to dazzling everyone under Maurizio Sarri, 2018 has been the year where Hazard has shown the world what he is capable of.

At the World Cup, Hazard was Belgium's best player and a key reason why they finished 3rd. The winger was running past defenders like they were dummies in the training ground and setting up goals for his teammates out of nowhere.

Back in the club football scene and Hazard continued his World Cup. He has been scoring for fun this season and has notched 8 goals – including a possible Puskas award nominee – and 4 assists.

#7 Mohamed Salah

Liverpool v Brighton and Hove Albion - Premier League

This time last year, Mohamed Salah was setting the world on fire. Scoring in almost all the games and breaking records every now and then.

Everything was going well for the Egyptian and he was leading the Ballon d'Or race but then...the Sergio Ramos incident happen. Was it intentional or was it – we are not here to talk about that.

However, the injury did have a huge impact on his career and his chances of winning silverware. he has not been the same ever since and has been very cautious when he is one-on-one and also when he is surrounded by 2-3 defenders.

He has been scoring goals but that ruthlessness he had last season has faded away and the Egyptian is unable to convert those half chances as well.

#6 Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi has done everything right this year but it just doesn't seem to be enough. The only drawback he had this year was the World Cup and the away fixture vs AS Roma.

However, the failure to make an impression at the World Cup with Argentina has cost him big time. Apart from his goal vs Nigeria, the Messi-magic was missing in Russia.

For Barcelona, he was tremendous in their LaLiga triumph and has also started this season on the same note. But still, the achievements of the G.O.A.T in 2018 aren't as good as the ones who have made it to the top 5!

#5 Cristiano Ronaldo

Portugal v Spain: Group B - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

Champions League winner's medal, a hat-trick in the World Cup and a very good start to the season at his new club Juventus. Cristiano Ronaldo has done it all but again, the Portuguese have not been good enough when compared to the ones above him.

Moreover, the off-field events have tarnished his image a little and the votes in his favour are going to reduce a little, if not significantly, because of the accusations. He's not guilty until proven, but journalists who are going to vote aren't going to consider that as they have a decision to make right now.

Was this Ronaldo's final chance at winning the Ballon d'Or? Not really. The forward has started impressively at Juventus and should he guide them to Champions League glory at the end of the season, not only should he win the prestigious award in 2019, UEFA should even consider naming a Champions League award in his name.

#4 Antoine Griezmann

France v Croatia - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Final

Ever since Antoine Griezmann won the World Cup, he has been openly talking about how he deserves the Ballon d'Or this season. While most of his arguments are right, he has not done enough to win the award.

The Frenchman did help Atletico Madrid win the Europa League and also finish 2nd in La Liga last season – one must give him a lot of credit for that. But he has not managed to start the 2018/19 season in style.

He's scored 6 goals so far this season in all competitions and that is just average for a striker of his class. Had he scored a lot more, he would have been up there in the top 3 for sure.

#3 Luka Modric

Luka Modric has been the best player for most of the year. However, the last 2-3 months have been way below par. The Croatian was given a different role by Julen Lopetegui in the team and that has not only cost the manager his job, it's also cost the midfielder a Ballon d'Or!

Modric lifted the Champions League with Real Madrid and also took Croatia to the World Cup final. That got him the UEFA Best Player of the Year award and also The Best FIFA Men's Player award but sadly, he won't be the recipient of the Ballon d'Or.

Had the voting for the France Football award ended in September, Modric would have been the runaway winner but in the last 2-3 months, others have outperformed him tremendously.

#2 Raphael Varane

While a lot of attention on Real Madrid's defence is hogged by Sergio Ramos and his antics, Raphael Varane has been the silent hero for Los Blancos. The Frenchman has had a solid year and is set to be the first defender since Paolo Maldini to finish on the Ballon d'Or podium.

With a Champions League medal under his belt, Varane took the field at the World Cup with France. His solid performances helped them lift the trophy but then again, the limelight was all on the midfielders and the attackers.

Varane is undoubtedly one of the best defenders in the world but this might be the only time he finishes on the Ballon d'Or podium. Sadly for him, there was one player who performed better than he did this season.

#1 Kylian Mbappe

SSC Napoli v Paris Saint-Germain - UEFA Champions League Group C

Before we begin to talk about Kylian Mbappe's performances, let me just remind you that he is 19-years-old. NINETEEN!

The PSG star has been the most consistent player this year and is the rightful recipient of the Ballon d'Or. Many tipped him to win the prestigious award in the future but this has come way earlier than anyone would have imagined.

He was instrumental in PSG winning the Ligue 1 title and also a vital player for France at the World Cup. This guy has some insane talent and is bound to shatter more records in the future.

Edited by Amar Anand