#1.Kylian Mbappe (PSG).
In 2021: 29 goals, seven assists. Won Coupe de France & Trophee des Champions.
Mbappe may be the cover star of FIFA 22, but a place on the Ballon d’Or podium is now highly unlikely for the PSG forward after a year of memorable Champions League performances but no major trophies.
#2. Erling Halaand.(BVB).
In 2021: 25 goals, nine assists. Won DFB-Pokal.
There is a chance that Haaland’s performances over the early part of 2021 are lost in the weeds of Euro 2020 and the Copa America, but if the Norway star begins the new campaign in red-hot form, expect him to secure a top 10 finish in the Ballon d’Or race.
#3.Mason Mount(Chelsea).
In 2021: Nine goals, four assists. Won Champions League.
Mount played a key role in helping England reach the Euro 2020 final, starting five of their seven matches, and that, coupled with the part he played in Chelsea’s Champions League triumph, means he should get one or two Ballon d’Or votes when they are cast later this year.
#4. Federico Chiesa (Juventus).
In 2021: 14 goals, five assists. Won Euro 2020, Coppa Italia & Supercoppa Italiana.
Watching Chiesa play in both the semi-final and final of Euro 2020, it is scarcely believable that Roberto Mancini left him out of the Italy team for the Azzurri’s first two group games.
The definition of a big-game player, the Juventus star heads back to Turin as a national hero, and perhaps now the player that the Bianconeri will want to replace Cristiano Ronaldo as the team’s talisman over the next year or so.
#5. Phil Foden (Manchester city).
In 2021: 11 goals, seven assists. Won Premier League & Carabao Cup.
Having begun Euro 2020 as England’s golden boy, Foden only went on to make one substitute appearance in the Three Lions’ final five matches, and was forced to sit out the final altogether with a foot injury.
His role in Manchester City’s double-winning campaign and run to the Champions League final, though, should not be forgotten when the Ballon d’Or judges are casting their votes.
#6. Pedri (Barcelona).
In 2021: Three goals, six assists. Won Copa del Rey.
Pedri will not win the Ballon d’Or this year, but 2021 should be remembered as the year the Barcelona midfielder announced himself as a future winner.
His imperious midfield performance in Spain’s Euro 2020 semi-final against Italy was one of the most assured by a teenager on such a big stage, and the sky now seems to be the limit for the former Las Palmas starlet.
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