Rumours are coming out that this year Ballon d’Or winner would break out with a shock to all football fans as for the first time in 10 years a non-Messi or Ronaldo is in strong contention to be honoured as the best player in world football. As this year’s ceremony is getting nearer(December 3) the competition has become tough among the selected 30 contenders.
Even though the list consists of perennial winners Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, it is half clearer that the result would surprise football fans all across the globe. A continuous streak of competition among them for the last decade would mark an end in this year as other contenders have more likely to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or. Both superstars now have five Ballon d’Or apiece, and what with both of them underperforming at the world cup with their respective nations, it may be a new era where a new player finally usurps them to the biggest individual honour in football.
Three criteria are mainly used to shortlist the 30 men list into 5. It includes individual and collective performances during the year, talent and fair play and finally the overall judgement of the player’s career. Apart from Ronaldo performing for the club(Real Madrid) to clinch the UEFA Title and Barcelona captain Messi to retain the La Liga Title neither player reached the levels that were expected of them in Russia.
 
Croatian captain Modric appears to be a strong frontrunner to win the award as he won the world cup Golden Ball and lead his national side to the final in Moscow. Along with it, he was a better portion of Real Madrid success over the past few years including this year UEFA which makes him a strong contender. K Mbappe is another star who is in contention to win the title after paying a pivotal role in France’s world cup success. The 30 men list also includes the likes of Harry Kane, Mo Salah, Neymar, Hazard, De Bruyne and so on. Since there are players who had an outstanding season with both club and national side it is a question of doubt whether they can make it into 5 men list.
Will a decade-long dominance come to an end this year? Even at this age, they both are true athletes and game changers who could never be underrated.
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