'%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)
#3 Jorginho - Italy/Chelsea
Jorginho is a surprise entrant to the Ballon d'Or race but he comes heavy with achievements. He played an instrumental role in Chelsea's Champions League triumph. Jorginho was arguably the best midfielder at Euro 2020 with his dynamism helping Italy negotiate all kinds of adverse scenarios.
Trending
Jorginho flies under the radar too often, orchestrating play from deep and keeping his side ticking. But his contributions at Euro 2020 did not go unnoticed and he is finally being given the credit he is due.
Jorginho topped the list for interceptions (25), recoveries (46) and fouls drawn (18) at Euro 2020. Luka Modric was given the Ballon d'Or in 2018 for similar achievements. Jorginho has won the Champions League title and the Euro 2020 title this year.
#2 Robert Lewandowski - Poland/Bayern Munich
Robert Lewandowski was robbed off the Ballon d'Or last year as the award was canceled in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Once again, Lewandowski is the player who had the best individual campaign of the 2020-21 season.
He scored a whopping 48 goals and provided nine assists across all competitions for the Bavarians this past season. The Polish international scored three goals in three matches at Euro 2020 as well but couldn't make it past the group stage.
Lewandowski won the Bundesliga and the Club World Cup with Bayern Munich this past season. If he starts the 2021-22 season in the same vein as he ended the previous campaign, he could still win the 2021 Ballon d'Or.
#1 Lionel Messi - Argentina/Barcelona
Lionel Messi has finally won a major international trophy and he did it with aplomb. The Barcelona man was the best player at the Copa America 2021, winning both the Golden Ball and the Best Player award. The Argentina international scored four goals and provided five assists in seven appearances in the continental competition.
Messi had also won the La Liga Golden Boot, scoring 30 goals in the league in 2020-21. The 34-year-old scored 38 goals and provided 14 assists in 47 appearances across all competitions for Barcelona this past season.
He continues to be one of the best in the business and could cement his status as the GOAT if he can go on to win a seventh Ballon d'Or. Messi has also won the Copa Del Rey with Barcelona and he is currently the favourite to win the most prestigious individual prize in football.
