Ballon d'Or Football Award
The Ballon d’Or remains one of the biggest individual awards in football which is always given to the best performing player of the year across the top European Leagues.
The award is presented by the French news magazine France Football.
A combination of votes from football journalists, coaches, and team captains decide the winner of France Football’s annual accolade.
After being canceled last year because of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Ballon d’Or is back, with the top players eyeing the biggest individual prize the game has to offer.
Here are the Top 10 Ballon d’Or Player Power Rankings July 2021
#10 ERLING HAALAND
(Borussia Dortmund/Norway)
The 20-year-old Haaland is already one of the world’s best strikers. He’s a machine inside the box.
Haaland finished the 2020-21 season with 41 goals and provided 12 assists in 41 appearances across all competitions for Borussia Dortmund, including a stunning 24 goals in only 27 appearances in 2021 so far.
But the Borussia Dortmund striker has had time off during the summer as Norway failed to qualify for Euro 2020.
He can only go from strength to strength and still raise his game to a whole other level.
#9 FEDERICO CHIESA
(Juventus/Italy)
Federico Chiesa occupies the 9th position after having a great Euro 2020 tournament with Italy.
He also won the Coppa Italia & Super Coppa Italiana with Juventus and will be looking to carry on with the form when he returns to Juventus.
Chiesa was arguably Italy’s most dangerous forward, especially after scoring from the bench in the last-16 win over Austria.
#8 CRISTIANO RONALDO
(Juventus/Portugal)
Christiano Ronaldo won the Coppa Italia & Supercoppa Italiana with Juventus but failed to win any major trophy with both club and country.
Ronaldo won the Serie A Golden Boot, having scored 29 goals in 33 appearances.
Ronaldo scored 36 goals and provided four assists in 44 appearances across all competitions for the Bianconeri.
He also won the Euro 2020 Golden Boot with five goals to his name despite Portugal crashing out in 16.
Although he won the Golden Boot, that might not be enough to secure him the Ultimate prize.
#7 KYLIAN MBAPPE
(Paris Saint-Germain/France)
The 22-year-old truly looked a worthy successor to Ronaldo and Messi by scoring a Champions League hat-trick against Barcelona in February.
The French international sensation striker helped his club win the Coupe de France but lacks a major trophy, which spells bad news for him as far as the race for the Ballon d'Or is concerned.
He could have greatly boosted his chances of winning the Ballon d'Or with a good outing at Euro 2020.
However, he had a rather forgettable time at the continental competition as France crashed out in the Round of 16 against Switzerland.
But Mbappe will need to win the UEFA Nations League final with France to come close to the podium.
Mbappe scored 42 goals and provided 11 assists in 47 games for PSG in 2020-21.
#6 KEVIN DE BRUYNE
(Manchester City/Belgium)
Kelvin Debruyne won the Premier League & Carabao Cup with Manchester City., capturing 10goals and 10assists in the process but failed to win the Champions League and Euro 2020.
Despite his injury troubles, the midfielder still chipped in two assists and a goal for Euro 2020 quarter-finalists Belgium.
His start to the new season will play a huge role in winning the ultimate prize.
#5 ROMELU LUKAKU
(Inter/Belgium)
Lukaku has been a force to be reckoned with this year.
He had an amazing season with Inter Milan, securing the Serie A title with 22goals in his name.
The Belgian striker scored 30 goals and provided 10 assists in 44 matches across all competitions for Inter Milan in the 2020-21 season.
Although he and his teammates failed to live up to expectations in Euro 2020, he is still a real contender for the Ballon d’Or prize.
If Romelu Lukaku can inspire the Belgian Red Devils to a win against the world champions, he could finish on the Ballon d'Or podium.
#4 N'GOLO KANTE
(Chelsea/France)
N'Golo Kante was Chelsea's best player as they won the UEFA Champions League in the 2020-21 season.
He was the Engine room behind Chelsea’s success in the Champions League, winning the Man-of-the-match prize in two consecutive outings in the tournament.
The tenacious French midfielder was at his imperious best and bossed midfield battles in Europe's elite club competition, which puts him among the contenders of this individual prize.
#3 JORGINHO
(Chelsea/Italy)
Jorginho is a surprise entrant to the Ballon d'Or race, but he comes heavy with achievements.
The midfield maestro played an instrumental role in helping his club and national team secure the Champions League and Euro 2020.
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.
He has a real chance of capturing the prestigious individual award, knowing he also has the Super Cup and Club World Cup to play for.
Jorginho has won the Champions League title and the Euro 2020 title this year.
#2 ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI
(Bayern Munich/Poland)
Robert Lewandowski enjoyed a great season with Bayern Munich, scoring 34 goals and 4 assists which also saw him won the Bundesliga & Club World Cup.
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 and couldn't make it past the group stage.
He won the Bundesliga and the Club World Cup with Bayern Munich this past season.
Robert Lewandowski was robbed of the Ballon d'Or last year as the award was canceled in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
But his outstanding form at the club level gives him the edge over other players.
#1 LIONEL MESSI
(Barcelona/Argentina)
The Argentine magician Lionel Messi occupies the first spot after scoring 33goals and 14assists both for club and country.
He finally captured his first international trophy with Argentina, winning Copa America with four goals and five assists to secure the competition’s MVP, top scorer, and top assist provider prizes.
He also played a major role in helping Barcelona secure the Copa del Rey.
The Barcelona man was the best player at the Copa America 2021, winning both the Golden Ball and the Best Player award.
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.
The star footballer is currently the favorite to win the most prestigious individual prize in football.
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