'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
France Football has released the final 30 of the Ballon d'Or 2021. The list features 30 individuals who gave their best throughout the year. Voted by sports journalists and coaches/captains of every nation, Ballon d'Or is the most prestigious individual accolade in football.
Trending
How well the player thrives as an individual while also benefitting his team is taken into consideration during the voting process. However, the same can't always be the parameter as some individual performances just can't be ignored.
In this article, let us take a look at the clubs that boast the maximum number of players from their side in the final 30 of the Ballon d'Or 2021.
5 clubs with the most players in the Ballon d'Or 30-man list 2021
#5 Juventus/Inter Milan — 2
The Italian heavyweights each have two players representing them in the Ballon d'Or top 30. For Juventus, it's their center-back duo of Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci. As for Inter Milan, Lautaro Martinez and Nicolo Barella have made the cut.
There is something in common between these four players. They have all won continental trophies this summer with their national sides. While Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci and Nicolo Barella won it with Italy in the Euro 2020, Martinez won the Copa America with Argentina.
However, the Inter Milan duo of Martinez-Barella also secured the Scudetto. This gives them an edge over their Serie A counterparts.
Lautaro Martinez was a key figure for Argentina and Inter Milan last year and scored goals regularly. He scored 19 goals in 48 appearances for his club and four goals in 10 appearances for his national side.
#4 Real Madrid/Manchester United — 2
Real Madrid and Manchester United each have two players in the final 30 of Ballon d'Or as well.
Luka Modric, Benzema and Bruno Fernandes didn't win any trophies last year. With Juventus, Cristiano Ronaldo won the Coppa Italia. But all of their individual performances were brilliant for their teams.
Karim Benzema has been the driving force behind Los Blancos' victories recently. Whereas Luka Modric, with his vast experience, has been aiding his teammate on a constant basis.
On the other hand, after Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Old Trafford, the Portuguese duo started playing together at club level as well. From leadership skills to spot-kick expertise, this pair have a lot in common. Ronaldo netted 29 goals off 33 Serie A games and four in six Champions League games last term.
#3 Paris Saint-Germain — 4
Paris Saint-Germain were the talk of the town even before the 2021-22 season kicked off. The French juggernaut signed some massive names from across Europe and successfully gifted Pochettino with one of the most daunting sides at present.
Arguably no other team can boast as much attacking prowess as PSG. The Parisians house supreme class individual talent topped by high-level experience. This includes the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, Angel Di Maria, Marco Verratti and Lionel Messi himself.
Lionel Messi, Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Gianluigi Donarumma represent the French giants in this year's Ballon d'Or. However, apart from Neymar and Mbappe, the other two made it onto the list for their heroics with their previous sides and also the national team.
Messi was the lone warrior in Barcelona's 2020-21 campaign, as he scored 38 goals in 47 games. He also led Argentina to their first international trophy since 1993 by winning the Copa America.
Meanwhile, Donnarumma was adjudged the Player of the Tournament in Italy's EURO 2020 winning campaign.
#2 Chelsea — 5
Ngolo Kante, Mason Mount, Jorginho, Cesar Azpilicueta and Romelu Lukaku are Chelsea's representatives at the Ballon d'Or 2021. Except for Lukaku (who won Serie A with Inter), all the other players are Champions League winners from last season.
While Mason Mount is a EURO 2020 finalist, his club teammate Jorginho won the same with Italy and grabbed the UEFA Player of the Season award. Chelsea have evolved to be a dominant force under Thomas Tuchel and they are one of the favorites for the Premier League title this year.
If it continues the same way, we will see more Chelsea players making it onto the Ballon d'Or list in the near future.
#1 Manchester City — 5
Manchester City, under Pep Guardiola, have evolved to be one of the most threatening teams in not just England but the whole of Europe. The Cityzens boast plenty of options in every position. The Sky Blues manager has made sure he never runs out of alternatives.
The increased competition within the squad has brought the best out of the players. The same is reflected in Manchester City's domestic and European campaigns too.
Riyad Mahrez, Kevin de Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, Ruben Dias and Phil Foden are the Man City players to have made it into the Ballon d'Or top 30. Each of these players were voted on the basis of their Premier League victory and individual contributions.
