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#3 Mohamed Salah (Egypt/Liverpool)
Mohamed Salah has been one of the best players in Europe in the ongoing season. The Egyptian international has been in great touch and everything he touches seems to turn into gold. Salah's form has been crucial to Liverpool's promising start to the 2021-22 campaign.
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The 29-year-old is now set to leave on international duty to take part in the 2021 AFCON. Salah has been in the form of his life and he could very well propel Egypt to continental glory in the early stages of 2022.
If he can pull it off, then Salah's chances of winning the Ballon d'Or will be boosted massively. He has scored 23 goals and provided nine assists in 26 appearances for the Merseysiders so far. If he can kick on in the same fashion, Salah is likely to end up with incredible numbers.
#2 Robert Lewandowski (Poland/Bayern Munich)
Robert Lewandowski is justified in feeling robbed off the Ballon d'Or in 2020 when the award was canceled in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. A large section of football fans believe Lewandowski should have pipped Messi to the Ballon d'Or in 2021.
The Bayern Munich striker is the most prolific striker in Europe's top five leagues. He has been in sublime form in the ongoing season as well and has been scoring goals for fun.
Bayern Munich have also been in sensational form this term and if Lewandowski can win a few trophies, he'll once again be a top contender for the Ballon d'Or. He has scored 30 goals and provided three assists and we're only halfway through the 2021-22 season. The sky is the limit for Lewandowski.
#1 Karim Benzema (France/Real Madrid)
Karim Benzema is one of the greatest strikers of the modern era. He is one of the most well-rounded attackers in the game right now and Benzema has shown no signs of slowing down despite turning 34.
The Frenchman was in great form for club and country in 2021. He has been Real Madrid's main man in the ongoing season, having contributed 20 goals and provided eight assists in just 24 appearances across all competitions.
If Benzema can keep this up for the rest of the 2021-22 season, this might just be the best campaign of his career. Benzema will also be raring to shine at the 2022 FIFA World Cup and on current form, he is one of the best players in the world.
France are also one of the favorites to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup. If Real Madrid can win La Liga and Benzema has a good run at the World Cup, it'll be hard to stop him in the 2022 Ballon d'Or race.
