Who will succeed Leo Messi on November 29, crowned Ballon d’Or in 2019 (the award was not awarded in 2020, editor’s note) ? Perhaps Messi himself, since the Argentine, already a six-time winner of the trophy, is part of the list of 30 winners this year again. Crowned with his first collective title with Argentina at the Copa America last summer, the neo-Parisian will be accompanied by three of his club teammates, Kylian Mbappé, Neymar and Gianluigi Donnarumma as well as by his compatriot and selection partner Lautaro Martinez, the goleador of Inter Milan.
Three French in the running
The French international of PSG will be in competition with two other players of the Blues: Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kanté. Author of an exceptional year with Real Madrid (30 goals and 6 assists in all competitions) crowned with a La Liga title and a resounding return to the Blues, the scorer of the Merengues applies for a place in the top 10 This is also the case for the Chelsea midfielder who could even reach the top 5. Regularly cited, Kanté lifted the Champions League with the Blues after being voted best player in the semi-finals and then the final.
Cristiano still there, the surprise Kjaer
Among the 30 finalists for the thirteenth time in his career and crowned five times (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017), Cristiano Ronaldo will seek a sixth coronation. But the Portuguese, who only won the Italian Cup last season, seems to be starting from much further this time around. Author of a beautiful Euro 2020 (1/2 finalist with Denmark), Danish captain Simon Kjaer is still a surprise in the list. Did his leadership and the image he conveyed to the whole world during the competition marked by Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest count? This is a possibility that should not be ruled out.
The 30 nominated
Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Phil Foden ( Manchester City), Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund), Jorginho (Chelsea), N’Golo Kanté (Chelsea), Simon Kjaer (AC Milan), Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich), Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea), Riyad Marhez (Manchester City), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan), Kylian Mbappé (PSG), Leo Messi (PSG), Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Gerard Moreno (Villareal), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Neymar (PSG), Pedri (Barcelone), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Luis Suarez (Atlético Madrid).
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