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The Ballon d'Or is, without doubt, the most prestigious individual prize in football. It is presented by French news magazine France Football to the best performing footballer over the course of a calendar year.
Several early contenders for the Ballon d'Or this year
Lionel Messi won a record seventh Ballon d'Or last year. He beat the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Jorginho and Karim Benzema to the award. It was an open race and it was difficult to ascertain which way it was going to go.
The Ballon d'Or is decided on the basis of a combination of votes from national team captains, coaches and media representatives. Just like last year, there are plenty of players right now who are in sublime form who could go onto make this a defining year in their career.
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Without further ado, let's take a look at the top five contenders for the 2022 Ballon d'Or.
#5 Vinicius Jr. (Brazil/Real Madrid)
Vinicius Jr. might just be the most improved attacker in all of Europe this season. We've all known him as a mercurial winger with immense potential. He has always shown that he has the ability to produce moments of magic but the Brazilian was nowhere near being clinical enough in the past.
But the 21 year old has now doubled down on his strengths and has been on fire this season. His incredible footwork has improved but perhaps the most enhanced bit of his game is his finishing.
Prior to this season, Vinicius had scored 28 goals and provided 28 assists in 172 appearances across all competitions for Real Madrid. He has already scored 15 goals this term and provided 10 assists in 10 appearances.
If Vinicius Jr. can kick on like this, win the La Liga title with Real Madrid, enjoy deep runs in the Champions League and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, he might just win the Ballon d'Or.
#4 Karim Benzema (France/Real Madrid)
Karim Benzema may have turned 34 years old but he is playing some of the best football of his career. The Frenchman has been a force to be reckoned with alongside Vinicius Jr. this season.
Benzema is one of the most well-rounded strikers of his generation. He has had no trouble playing a supporting role to the various superstars he rubbed shoulders with during is stay at Real Madrid.
Benzema contributed lavishly to Los Blancos' form in the first half of the 2021-22 season. He has scored 24 goals and provided nine assists in 28 appearances across all competitions for Real Madrid this term. With those kind of numbers, Benzema is definitely an early favorite to win the Ballon d'Or this year.
#3 Kylian Mbappe (France/Paris Saint-Germain)
Kylian Mbappe publicly admitted last summer that he wanted to leave Paris Saint-Germain and join Real Madrid. He revealed he was disappointed when PSG blocked his move in the summer of 2021. But has that affected his commitment to his current club and his performances?
Well, his numbers from this season will prove beyond doubt that it hasn't. Mbappe has once again been PSG's standout performer. With Lionel Messi struggling to find his groove and Neymar Jr. out injured, Mbappe has been PSG's leading light this season.
The 23 year old has already scored 19 goals and provided 16 assists in 29 appearances across all competitions for Paris Saint-Germain in the ongoing season. Mbappe will be hoping for a long run in the Champions League and the World Cup as well. This could finally be his year.
#2 Mohamed Salah (Egypt/Liverpool)
Mohamed Salah is currently one of the most in-form players in the world of football. The Egyptian international has raised his game a notch this term and has simply been unstoppable for Liverpool.
The 29 year old is currently with the Egyptian national team at the African Cup of Nations 2021. They will go up against Cameroon on Friday in a bid to book their place in the final against Senegal. If Salah can win AFCON with Egypt, it will enhance his chances of winning the Ballon d'Or this year.
He has already scored two goals and provided an assist in the continental competition. In 26 appearances across all competitions for Liverpool this season, Salah has scored 23 goals and provided nine assists.
#1 Robert Lewandowski (Poland/Bayern Munich)
Bayern Munich's goalscoring machine Robert Lewandowski should have won at least one Ballon d'Or by now, according to a huge section of football fans. The Polish international has been in a league of his own in recent seasons and this campaign has been no different.
The 33 year old looks set to have yet another incredible season. He has already scored 34 goals and provided three assists in 28 appearances for the Bavarians this term. Lewandowski is the most prolific goalscorer in Europe's top five leagues.
Bayern Munich seem to be cruising to yet another Bundesliga title. A lengthy run in the Champions League and a good outing at the 2022 FIFA World Cup might just do the trick for Lewandowski this year as far as the Ballon d'Or is concerned.
