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#3 Karim Benzema (France/Real Madrid)
Karim Benzema has absolutely turned it on in the new season. The Frenchman is inarguably one of the most well-rounded attackers of his generation and has provided ample evidence of what he is capable of this year.
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Benzema was the top scorer for Real Madrid in the league in the 2020-21 season but they finished second in the La Liga title race that went down to the very last day. The 33-year-old then earned a call-up to the French international side for Euro 2020 after a gap of six years.
He justified it by scoring four goals in four appearances in the continental competition. Benzema would then score crucial goals for France in the semi-final and final of the UEFA Nations League.
Having added the Nations League title to his kitty, Benzema has greatly improved his credentials in the Ballon d'Or race this time. He has also been in sensational form in the new season, scoring 11 goals and providing eight assists in just 11 appearances across all competitions so far.
#2 Robert Lewandowski (Poland/Bayern Munich)
Robert Lewandowski was the favourite to win the Ballon d'Or in 2020. Unfortunately for him, the award was cancelled in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Polish international is currently the most prolific goalscorer on the planet and has been in stellar form for several seasons now.
The 33-year-old scored 48 goals and provided nine assists in 40 appearances across all competitions in the 2020-21 season for Bayern Munich. He scored 41 of those goals in 29 Bundesliga appearances. In doing so, he broke Gerd Muller's record for most goals scored in a single Bundesliga campaign.
Lewandowski won the league title with Bayern Munich but had a rather disappointing outing at Euro 2020. He scored three goals in three appearances as Poland crashed out in the group stages of the tournament.
Lewandowski has been in great form this new season as well, scoring 16 goals and providing an assist in 12 appearances across all competitions so far.
#1 Lionel Messi (Argentina/Paris Saint-Germain)
Lionel Messi finally ended his trophy drought on the international front by winning the Copa America with Argentina this summer. He was named the Best Player of the tournament and won the Golden Boot as well, scoring four goals and providing five assists in seven appearances.
Messi was sensational for Barcelona in the second half of the 2020-21 season and almost single-handedly pulled them back into the La Liga title race. It didn't amount to much in the end but the 34-year-old won the Pichichi trophy for being the top scorer in the Spanish top-flight with 30 goals in 35 appearances.
In the 2020-21 season, Messi scored a total of 38 goals and provided 14 assists in 47 appearances across all competitions. He was also a standout player for the Catalans as they won the Copa Del Rey last term. Messi is tipped to go on to win a record seventh Ballon d'Or this time around.
