The Ballon d’Or is just around the corner! In this list I will run down the contenders and predict who will prosper and who will plummet.
30. Simon Kjær (Denmark, AC Milan)
Simon Kjær is an odd one in this list. Is he a good defender? Yes. Is he a legend for what he did in the Finland match? Yes. Does he deserve to be nominated for the most prestigious award in football? Probably not.
29. Gerard Moreno (Spain, Villareal)
Gerard Moreno has been one of the breakout talents of LaLiga, in the past few years. From an arguably overrated winger a few years ago, he is now one of the best marksmen in Spain and has potential to challenge for the golden boot this coming year.
28. Pedri (Spain, Barcelona)
We previously talked about breakout stars in the above paragraph. But this is the exact definition. Breaking into the team around a year ago, Pedri kept his name on the team sheet thanks to brilliant passing and dazzling dribbling. The fact that he, a 19 year old, is playing in LaLiga, the Euros and the Olympics is crazy!
27. Luka Modrić (Croatia, Real Madrid)
Luka Modrić has had a tough year and it shows with him only getting 8 goal involvements. Even though that is true he was crucial to Real Madrid in the Champions League, getting three assists in three matches in the knockout stage.
26. Leonardo Bonucci (Italy, Juventus)
Leonardo Bonucci has improved greatly this past year. From looking to be out of the Juventus and Italy teams to being in the heart of the defence as the ‘Azzurri’ went on to win Euro 2020 - his goal in the final was crucial!
25. Nicolo Barella (Italy, Inter Milan)
Another Euro 2020 winner, Barella was crucial to both Italy and Inter Milan. His stellar performances helped Inter Milan improve from being Europa League finalists to Scudetto winners. At 24, we are yet to see his full potential.
24. Phil Foden (England, Manchester City)
The first Englishman on the list, Phil Foden has gone from forgotten Manchester City benchwarmer to stellar England playmaker. His silky skills and beautiful passing was the defining factor between failure and success for both England getting to the Euros final and Manchester City getting to both the summit of the Premier League and the final of the Champion’s League.
23. César Azpilecueta (Spain, Chelsea)
Azpi, Azpi, Azpi. What a year he has had! He was vital to Chelsea as, in July, he hoisted the club’s second Champions League above his head. A master at versatility, he weaved his way into the Spain squad and soon became a Euro 2020 semi-finalist and UEFA Nations League finalist.
22. Riyad Mahrez (Algeria, Manchester City)
Arguably Manchester City’s main attacker last season, scored 14 goals and 9 assists in all competitions, from right wing! His fantastic performances helped Manchester City reach the Champions League final with his two goals against PSG!
21. Raheem Sterling (England, Manchester City)
Raheem Sterling’s year has been a bit like Marmite. At some points you hate him because of his poor form: at some points you love him for scoring many goals. Overall he had a great 20/21 season getting 26 goals and assists, 18 of which coming in the Premier League.
20. Mason Mount (England, Chelsea)
Everyone knew Mason Mount was great at attacking by the end of the 2019/20 campaign. But what ensued next year was utterly brilliant. With him at the helm of the Chelsea midfield, they were unstoppable in the Champions League!
19. Giorgio Chiellini (Italy, Juventus)
Everyone wrote off Giorgio Chiellini having an influential part of the Azzurri's Euro 2020 campaign. Oh wow wrong they were. His leadership brought strength and unity to both Italy and Juventus. His playful antics before the penalty shootout with Jordi Alba also fueled the Germans to come up with a new word: ‘Chiellinigkeit’.
18. Lautaro Martinez (Argentina, Inter Milan)
Lautaro Martinez has had a lasting effect on the past year forming the most fierce strike partnerships in Europe with Romelu Lukaku. It was this partnership that led Inter to winning the Scudetto last season. I believe this season he will be out of Lukaku’s shadow, it is his time to shine!
17. Luis Suarez (Uruguay, Atlético Madrid)
At the start of the 2020/21 LaLiga season it seemed as though it would be the same old, same old with Real Madrid and Barcelona being in a two horse race. But with Atletico signing one of the world’s greatest strikers in Luis Suarez. And this was the much needed cherry on top, he secured the league title with his goal against Real Valladolid.
16. Ruben Dias (Portugal, Manchester City)
Manchester City needed to rebound after coming second in the league to Liverpool. Ruben Dias seemed to be an odd one to spend £60 million on though, but Pep Guardiola seemed sure that he would plug the leaky Manchester City defence. And ,as always, Pep was right. Dias superglued City’s defence together with them then getting clean sheets in half of the games he played in.
Part Two will be released in due course...
By Jake MacLeod
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