Who are the favorites to win the Ballon d'Or?
One more year, the soccer dresses up in the great night of 'France Football', the French magazine that has the honor of awarding the sport's largest individual award. The delivery of Golden Ball it is followed year after year with expectation from all parts of the globe, especially by the nominees, how could it be otherwise. This Monday is celebrated from 8:00 p.m..
After a 2020 desert as a result of the pandemic, this 2021 has been a year no large individual sparkles, and with a very distributed ranking of titles by teams, so the experts have not had it as easy as on previous occasions. But, even so, there are names that stand out among the list of 30 nominees hoping to win the precious golden trophy.
From LaLiga Santander five players have options from four different teams. Karim Benzema and Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Pedri (FC Barcelona), Luis Suarez (Atlético de Madrid) and Gerard Moreno (Villarreal). They should be added to always favorite Leo Messi, that although now militates in the ranks of the PSG, the previous season he was still wearing the Blaugrana shirt. There is also another spanish in the list of 30 best footballers of 2021: César Azpilicueta, captain of the Chelsea and champion of the Champions with the British group.
The favorites
The pools go back to point to Leo Messi, current champion, as the great favorite to win the Ballon d'Or. The Argentine won last year the America Cup, his first major title with the Argentine national team, and he was also named best player of the tournament. At the club level, the Copa del Rey.
The Argentine would thus expand his distance in front of the historical record of the 'France Football' trophy. At the moment has won it six times (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2019), one more than Cristiano Ronaldo (who raised it five times). Behind them appear, with three each, three historical: Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten.
But Messi is not the only one who leaves with serious options to raise the trophy. In the last days the Poland and Germany has grown the optimism around the figure of Robert Lewandowski. The forward of the Bayern Munich he was left without the title in 2020 when he was practically the only candidate for it since 'France Football' decided to leave it deserted due to the exceptional circumstances caused by the coronavirus. That's just the first reason analysts believe in the goalscorer's chances: They owe him one. In addition, in 2021 he achieved the Golden Boot (he scored 41 goals in 29 games in the Bundesliga), he won the German league and the Super Cup.
On Madrid they also believe in Karim Benzema's options despite the fact that the French forward's letter of introduction does not carry any title beyond the Nations league that France conquered last October due to Real Madrid's blank year. Despite this, nobody doubts the good moment that the white star experienced in front of the goal the previous season: it is the player who has participated in the most goals adding so many and assists, an aspect in which he has the best average in the major leagues.
Best Young Player
The one that can have a Spanish accent is the title of best young player of last season. Pedri has all the options to win the Raymond Kopa award. His exceptional contribution to the Blaugrana team also earned him a place in the team holder of Luis Enrique on the Eurocup (and was included in the ideal eleven of the tournament) and also became the emblem of the Olympic team in the Tokyo Olympics, where Spain brought home the silver medal. At the moment they have already awarded him the Golden Boy award given by the magazine 'TuttoSport'.
Where to see the gala?
The gala, which will be attended by the best footballers of the moment, can be followed from 8:00 p.m. through the MEGA channel.
