Ten players are in with a chance of winning FIFA's official player of the year award for the 2017/18 season and it is a remarkably open field.
Raphael Varane, the sole defender on the shortlist, can conceivably match Fabio Cannavaro's Ballon d'Or feat after he won the World Cup and the likes of Harry Kane, Eden Hazard, Kylian Mbappe, Luka Modric and Antoine Griezmann will also feel confident after their displays in Russia.
But of course there is also the dominating threat of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to contend with, while the top two Premier League players of the past campaign, Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne, complete the runnings. Here, we analyse each candidate's merits.
Cristiano Ronaldo - Juventus & Portugal
For the third consecutive season, the winger was the top scorer in the Champions League as he hit 15 goals en route to Real Madrid's third consecutive crown. Following his typical hot streak after the turn of the year, Ronaldo hit a memorable hat-trick against Spain at the World Cup and he now heads to Juventus with continuing these impressive numbers on his mind.
Lionel Messi - Barcelona & Argentina
With 45 goals in 54 matches, Messi claimed a crucial role in Barcelona's domestic double that included a fifth LaLiga Pichichi award. Forever one of the most skilful men to play the game, the Argentine may be able to put woes on the Champions League and World Cup stage behind him to win.
Antoine Griezmann - Atletico Madrid & France
Recency bias cannot be ruled out in these awards and Griezmann really bloomed in the spring. Helping Atleti to the Europa League title served only as the prelude to a leading role in Russia, stepping up at decisive moments and taking home the Bronze Ball, off the back of four goals and three assists.
Luka Modric - Real Madrid & Croatia
2018 was perhaps the year Modric stepped out of his shell as an unsung hero and became fully appreciated as an integral orchestrator of the game for the European champions and the World Cup finalists. In addition, the midfielder's ability to step up was shown with a world class goal against Argentina as he led Croatia to a dismantling of the former greats.
Raphael Varane - Real Madrid & France
It is important not to forget that Varane is still only 25. This summer saw the defender claim his third straight Champions League winners' medal, partnering Sergio Ramos in defence, with another starting spot in France's triumphant run in Russia. They don't just hand out these honours to anyone, you know.
Kylian Mbappe - Paris Saint-Germain & France
Mbappe lived up to his starlet tag at PSG during the past campaign and hit 21 goals and won the domestic quadruple, but it was at the World Cup he stepped into next level territory. With four goals and a number of incredible moments of athleticism and skill, the 19-year-old won the Young Player of the Tournament gong.
Harry Kane - Tottenham Hotspur & England
Nobody scored more goals than Harry Kane in the last calendar year and the England captain took that form into 2018 with aplomb. Smashing 56 goals in 2017, the Spurs man was handed the armband in Russia and led the Three Lions to the semi-finals with the Golden Boot won, to boot.
Eden Hazard - Chelsea & Belgium
The first of two Belgians on The Best shortlist, Hazard pushed through a difficult campaign with Chelsea to nonetheless secure 17 goals and 13 assists. Heading to Russia, the winger was determined to do something special and captained his side to third, their best-ever run at a World Cup.
Mo Salah - Liverpool & Egypt
Firmly in the same category as Ronaldo and Messi, Salah's greatest exploits were largely achieved with his club. Named Premier League Player of the Year, the Egyptian was integral to Liverpool's Champions League runners-up finish while his 32-goal haul broke the divisional record.
Kevin De Bruyne - Manchester City & Belgium
With 21 assists last year, De Bruyne was the ultimate playmaker in the ultimate playmaker's team. Pep Guardiola's City broke the Premier League record for points, with 100, and the midfielder took his form to Russia, dismantling Brazil in the quarter-finals.
Zee07
180
No Problem How Many Contenders Are Coz BALLON`Dor Belongs To Only One Man And That Man Is Cristiano Ronaldo.
Brutalboy31
152
Top three contenders must be Cristiano Ronaldo Luka Modric and Raphael Varane. And probably Modric will win because he carried his team all alone to the finals of the World Cup and he was the main player to guide Real Madrid to third consecutive Champions League glory. So Modric deserves this time but you cannot keep CR7 out of bussiness.
redbcdklnz
123
wake up and smell the roses!!! When Cr7 does not score is because he as 2 or3 defenders on is ass but does open the defense for others to score [Spittongue][Spittongue][Spittongue]
Mustaphe045
119
Your Jersey Is #10 And Get 10 Ballon D'or
madcow
114
De Bruyne is soooo underrated man. He is dominating midfield for Man City and Belgium to help them reach their level. Without De Bruyne, both teams aren't that strong. De Bruyne is also a complete midfielder. He can play defensive and change to a number 6 whenever he has to, providing perfectly placed assists. Trust me when I say without De Bruyne, Belgium will lose to Brazil and that is pretty much the furthest they can go and Man City won't be champions.
justmevs
96
sorry Messi fans Messi is not a part of it this year award by margins you simply dont win world best by winning La liga and copa dey its all spanish awards not the even all Europe or world, as you can see some player won the world cup and league, from france national team even world cup n CL and also world cup and Europa from same team. while some win 3 CL in a row like modric and Ronaldo and CL and World MVP even golden but at the highest stages CL and Worldcup Ronaldo and Kane.
Autonomous
38
My 1 choice-Modric, 2nd choice-Ronaldo, 3rd choice-Varane.(Modric and varane both CL and WC) while Ronaldo is at his owm place. Tell me whom did you vote for?
i will Go for Ronaldo! because Ronaldo had a terrible start to the season.He showed up too late and his team lost the league title by a large margin. Individually, he amassed 44 goals in 44 games at the end of the season (1 goal/per game). In the league he played 27 games out of 38 and scored 26 times (0.96 goals/per game). In the UCL he performed very well, scoring in 11 consecutive games. and 15 goals in 13 games (1.15 goals/per game). That was excellent by any standard. Not bad for a guy thought to be phasing out quickly at the beginning of the season. He gave 8 assists this season in all competitions. Wins: Uefa Champions League As the UEFA club competitions weigh more than national titles and cups. Ronaldo have more chances to win.