The most coveted award a player can win is the Ballon d’Or and Kylian Mbappe is leading the way in 2021
The Ballon d’Or is the most sort after award amongst footballs elite. France Football started the award back in 1956, with England great Stanley Matthews beating Di Stefano by just three points. Since then the award has been given out every year, bar 2020.
Over the last 12 years, the Ballon d’Or has been dominated by two men, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The Barcelona forward has six, one more than Ronaldo. This award causes much debate over the years, especially as to whether each player really deserved it.
The Ballon d’Or is voted for by journalists and the captains and managers of national teams. The award ceremony takes place usually in December, which means the favourites have a lot of time to influence the voters.
This year, it looks like it could be the start of a new period of dominance. Messi isn’t even in the top five in the odds to win the Ballon d’Or which is probably the first time in over 12 years. But who is the favourite this year?
[av_video src=’https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucQaPfjufIQ’ mobile_image=” attachment=” attachment_size=” format=’16-9′ width=’16’ height=’9′ conditional_play=” id=” custom_class=” template_class=” av_uid=’av-1nzxk6j’ sc_version=’1.0′]
Ballon d’Or 2021
Kylian Mbappe – 5/2
Many see the next era of dominance coming from this man. At the age of just 22, Mbappe has already won four Ligue 1 titles and a World Cup with France. He has lightning-quick pace and fantastic dribbling ability. This year 30 goals in 36 games, three of which came in against Barcelona in the Champions League. PSG are still in the Champions League and France are one of the favourites for this summers Euro’s. If he can go a long way in both of these, he will stand a good chance of winning his first Ballon d’Or.
Robert Lewandowski – 11/2
Many feel last seasons Champions League top goalscorer was robbed of this award last year. Lewandowksi has followed up last season with another brilliant one this year. He has already scored 42 times so far, with a lot of football left to play. The Polish forward is the best striker in the world and like Mbappe, has a good, if not better chance of winning the Champions League this season. With him not winning it last year, he could get a few more votes because of this. If his goalscoring form continues, he can’t be overlooked.
[av_video src=’https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoM3NA1rWI0′ mobile_image=” attachment=” attachment_size=” format=’16-9′ width=’16’ height=’9′ conditional_play=” id=” custom_class=” template_class=” av_uid=’av-1a0d4q3′ sc_version=’1.0′]
Bruno Fernandes – 10/1
The Man United midfielder is having another fantastic season with his club and is putting up some ridiculous numbers. He has 26 goals and assists this season, which for a midfielder is very good. United are still in the Europa League and stand a good chance of winning that. On top of this, he is also in a very good Portugal team, which could be dark horses for this summers European Championships. If Bruno wants to win this award though, he will need to start performing in the big games and he can go missing at crucial moments.
Erling Haaland – 12/1
At 12/1, the Dortmund striker could be a fantastic price. He is a goalscoring machine and is breaking Champions League records all the time. So far this season, he has 33 goals in 31 games, 10 of which have come in just six Champions League matches. Haaland is proving to be unstoppable with his pace, power and strength. He may struggle this year with playing for Dortmund as they won’t win the league and probably not the Champions League. But a big move away should bring him one, one day.
[av_video src=’https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RpqJjL9zoc’ mobile_image=” attachment=” attachment_size=” format=’16-9′ width=’16’ height=’9′ conditional_play=” id=” custom_class=” template_class=” av_uid=’av-ruxwaz’ sc_version=’1.0′]
