Ballon d'Or 2021: Ranking the top 5 favourites - February 2021

#3 Lionel Messi

Granada v Barcelona - Copa del Rey

It took a while for Lionel Messi to get going this season but now that he has kicked into gear, it looks like there is no stopping him. The Argentine has been the difference-maker for Barcelona yet again and has been making a good case for himself in the Ballon d'Or race.

Messi has scored 17 goals and provided four assists across all competitions this season. The 33-year-old's contributions go well beyond his numbers and he is the main orchestrator in the final third for the Cules.

Lionel Messi is expected to leave Barcelona at the end of the season. Barcelona are keen on extending his contract but it looks like the legend of the game has decided to move on. If he does, then Barcelona have a real problem on their hands because there is just no replacing that kind of quality.

Lionel Messi you are not normal. And this is only over the past year, nowhere near the best form of his life. pic.twitter.com/4k8dD7hQf2

— Football Threads (@FootyThreads_) February 10, 2021

#2 Cristiano Ronaldo

Juventus v FC Internazionale - Coppa Italia

Cristiano Ronaldo is 36-years-old now but the Portuguese international remains a top contender for the Ballon d'Or. He has been Juventus' star man this season and there is a drop in their overall quality whenever he is rested or absent.

Cristiano Ronaldo has won the Ballon d'Or five times and given his competitive nature, he will be desperate to match Lionel Messi's haul of six Ballon d'Ors. He has been prolific yet again and his consistency is unmatched.

Ronaldo has scored 23 goals for Juventus across all competitions for Juventus this term. He has four assists as well and is well and truly one of the frontrunners to win the Ballon d'Or this year.

#1 Robert Lewandowski

FC Bayern Muenchen v Sport-Club Freiburg - Bundesliga

Robert Lewandowski has every right to feel like he's been robbed off the Ballon d'Or last year. The Bayern Munich star was a cut above the rest in the 2019-20 season and he has kept it up this term. He won the continental treble with the Bavarians last season and looks like he's got trouble on his mind yet again.

Lewandowski has clocked some unreal numbers yet again. The 32-year-old already has 24 goals and six assists to his name in the Bundesliga from 19 appearances so far this season. No player in Europe has been able to come close.

Robert Lewandowski has been performing at the highest level for years now and he definitely deserves to be honored with the biggest prize in football. If he keeps doing what he does, there will be no denying Lewandowski the Ballon d'Or this time around.

The most goals ever scored in a Bundesliga season was Gerd Muller's 4️⃣0️⃣ in 1971-72.With 14 games to play, Robert Lewandowski has 2️⃣4️⃣ 🔥Will he do it? 👀 pic.twitter.com/w3Jj9vZlVS

— Goal (@goal) February 10, 2021