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#2 Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi became Barcelona's full-time captain this season and while they only managed to win the La Liga, the little Argentine had a terrific individual year. Seems like he didn't take being placed 5th in the Ballon d'Or standings last year very well.
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Playing mostly as a right-winger cum false-nine, Messi again showed this year why he is considered to be one of the very best to ever step foot in this game. He already won the golden boot and he also has the most assists this season. He has a total of 70 goal contributions and that is astonishing in itself.
The Argentine produced one of the best individual performances of this season in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals against Liverpool regardless of what happened in the second leg. Also, his set-piece ability reached another level.
The 31-year-old almost singlehandedly dragged Barcelona to victories on some occasions and only if he had won the Champions League, he would have been the favorite to win the Ballon d'Or.
#1 Virgil Van Djik
If there is a man who has the strongest claim to the Ballon d'Or this year, it is Virgil Van Djik. The Dutch center halve has completely transformed Liverpool's back line within a year and that is no mean feat. If you look at Virgil's influence on Liverpool, it is no less than Messi influence on Barcelona. Just because Virgil doesn't have those goalscoring contributions, it doesn't mean he doesn't deserve to win the award.
Already named the PFA Player of the year, the Dutchman played an important part in Liverpool winning the UEFA Champions League. Also, he led Netherlands to the UEFA Nations League final when nobody expected them to reach even the semi-finals.
If you look at the Ballon d'Or winners from recent years, you would recognize that winning the Champions League goes a long way in winning the Ballon d'Or and that is the single biggest reason that makes the Dutchman favorite for the Ballon d'Or and the best player in the world.
