Ballon d’Or 2021: Messi or someone new?

The most prestigious individual award in world football will be announced on November 30 at 1:30 am Bangladesh standard time. The ceremony will be held at the Chatelet Theatre in Paris on Tuesday.

This time 30 players have been shortlisted for the 2021 Ballon d’Or. Along with 29 others, 2019 winner Lionel Messi is on the list.

Soon the winner will be announced. So, who holds the most power in this year's race?

1. Lionel Messi: Ballon d'Or number seven is now within touching distance for this Argentinian legend. He scored 41 goals and 17 assists to his name.

The 34-year-old almost single-handedly dragged Barcelona and won Copa del Rey. He claimed his first major international trophy as Argentina won Copa America this year. He was named Player of the Tournament and won the Golden Boot as well.

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner’s goal record might not match that of Lewandowski's, but his performance in Barcelona and Argentina kit was furious.

And that is why Messi just has the edge in one of the closest fights for years.

2. Robert Lewandowski: Without any doubt, Robert Lewandowski would have won the Ballon d'Or in 2020. Unfortunately, it was canceled due to a coronavirus outbreak. 

The Bayern Munich star found the net 64 times and made 10 assists as well. Messi is not near him according to his goal-scoring record. But he failed to perform well wearing his national shirt in Euro 2020.

But It would not be a surprise to see him on stage collecting the award on November 30.

3. N'Golo Kante: The French man was named the Man of the Match in the Champions League final, as well as both legs of the semi-final win over Real Madrid.

Injuries have disrupted the Chelsea star over the course of the past few years, but when he is on the pitch, he does something unbelievable.

He won the UEFA Super Cup, Champions League and scored two goals with an assist. 

4. Jorginho: Somehow Jorginho heads into the Ballon d'Or ceremony as one of the favorites as he won the UEFA Super Cup and Champions League with Chelsea. He lifted an international trophy as Italy won the Euro 2020.

The Chelsea star did play well both club and country. He scored nine times and assisted three times.