Ranking the top 10 Ballon d'Or 2021 favourites based on betting odds

#6 Karim Benzema (Real Madrid/France): +1500

Karim Benzema has sizzled for club and country this year.

Karim Benzema has the sixth-best odds to win the 2021 Ballon d'Or award. After being in the shadows of Ronaldo for almost a decade, the Frenchman has led the line admirably for Real Madrid over the years.

He scored at least 20 league goals for the third-straight season as holders Madrid were narrowly beaten to the La Liga title by Atletico Madrid. Benzema scored six times in the Champions League as the 13-time winners reached their first semi-final in the competition in three years.

Making a return to international football for the first time in six years, Benzema scored four times at Euro 2020. However, France exited in the Round of 16. The Frenchman then scored in the semi-final and final to win the Nations League.

Benzema has started the season on a tear, already up to 11 goals and eight assists across competitions.

However, a lack of major titles with club and country could thwart his hopes of winning the 2021 Ballon d'Or award.

---

#5 N'Golo Kante (Chelsea/France): +1400

N''Golo Kante has had a stellar year for club and country.

N'Golo Kante has been a stellar performer for club and country this year. Widely regarded as one of the finest defensive midfielders in the game at the moment, Kante played a key role in Chelsea's 2021-21 Champions League triumph.

He completed 100% of his tackles and completed all his take-ons in the final against Manchester City.

He played four games for France at Euro 2020, but was not in their victorious Nations League team due to injury. Nevertheless, his stellar exploits this year were enough to land him in the Ballon d'Or conversation.

Whether he goes on to win the prestigious accolade is another thing, though.

---

#4 Mohamed Salah: +1200

Mohamed Salah is a contender for this year's Ballon d'Or award.

On current form, there are very few better players than Mohamed Salah at the moment. The Egyptian has been on a tear this season, bagging 22 goal contributions (17 goals, five assists) across competitions.

If the Ballon d'Or award were awarded purely on a player's numbers, Salah would have won this year's award without batting an eyelid. Unfortunately, that is rarely the case.

Salah had a strong finish to his previous campaign too, scoring 22 times as holders Liverpool finished a distant third.

Despite his stellar numbers, Salah has failed to win titles with club and country during the year. That makes him an unlikely winner of the 2021 Ballon d'Or award.