Ballon d’Or 2021: Top 5 favourites – March 2021

#3 Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich/Poland)

SS Lazio vs Bayern Muenchen - UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Leg One

The man who was robbed of his first Ballon d’Or award last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic – a premature call from the committee that organises the award – it would be understandable if Robert Lewandowski earned some brownie points from the voting panel this time around.

Lewandowski may not be the most graceful of strikers, but there is no doubt he has been the most prolific one in the last few years. He has played an immense role in Hansi Flick’s Bayern Munich steamrollering every team before them.

However, for Lewandowski to win this year's Ballon d'Or award, Bayern Munich will have to produce another stellar season. The Bundesliga is virtually taken for granted for the German giants, but they have work to do in the Champions League.

Unlike the other main contenders for this year's Ballon d'Or award like some of his teammates like Joshua Kimmich, who would be among the favourites if it was a less offensively-biased voting panel, Lewandowski will not have the luxury of playing for a side likely to win a major international title this summer.

Poland will be at Euro 2020 this summer, but they are unlikely to win it, something that might not augur well for Lewandowski's chances of winning the 2021 Ballon d'Or award.

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#2 Kylian Mbappe/Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain)

Manchester United vs Paris Saint-Germain: Group H - UEFA Champions League

It is difficult to split the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) duo of Kylian Mbappe and Neymar, and that is one of the main reasons they are probably unlikely to win the Ballon d’Or award this year. If PSG do go all the way in the Champions League, it is probable that the pair could split the votes.

Certainly, Mbappe roared into early contention for the 2021 Ballon d'Or award thanks to his hat-trick in the 4-1 dismantling of Barcelona at Camp Nou, a match where Neymar was conspicuous by his absence. The Brazilian will hope to return for the second leg but may not be at full capacity.

Mbappe may have shone in the spotlight in Catalunya, but it is Neymar who has been posting the better performances so far this season for PSG. He has been the player to make them tick, although his persona means he will never be loved in a way Messi or even Ronaldo are. That could count against the Brazilian in the Ballon d’Or stakes this year.

If the two are to be split, it is likely to come about in the major championships. If Mbappe can back up his stellar performance at the 2018 FIFA World Cup with one at the Euros, he will definitely have the definite edge. But even Neymar could replicate that with Brazil at the Copa America.

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#1 Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)

Everton vs Manchester City - Premier League

Manchester City’s achievements this season have been laudable, but the manner in which Pep Guardiola’s side is set up, it is virtually impossible for anyone individual to shine. Nevertheless, after a 20-match plus winning streak, it would be remiss to overlook a member of their squad for Ballon d'Or glory this year.

Superstar status counts in a vote such as the Ballon d’Or, and the closest that City have to someone of that ilk is playmaker Kevin De Bruyne. He is the man whose ingenuity can lever apart defences, and he is the man most readily clipped for YouTube compilations. Others may have been more important – Ruben Dias and Ilkay Gundogan, for example – but they do not possess the same magnetic quality as De Bruyne does.

Furthermore, De Bruyne has the opportunity to finally realise Belgium’s potential in the summer at Euro 2020. If the Red Devils go deep in the competition, he could likely have had a hand in their success. Belgium have a chance, of course, with Romelu Lukaku in red-hot form in attack and quality elsewhere on the field.

Moreover, with City looking good for this season's Premier League title and possibly even the Champions League, De Bruyne should not be discounted for the biggest individual prize of all - the Ballon d'Or.