The countdown to the end is on! With a 30-player men’s and 20-player women’s shortlist to get through, we have been slowly releasing our predictions over the past several weeks. However, it is finally time to disclose our anticipated winners ahead of the Ballon d’Or event on October 17. And sure, we believe Karim Benzema can begin drafting his winning speech.
The last week of our Ballon d’Or predictions before the ceremony on Monday is the last obstacle.
In truth, leaving players like Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland out of the top five was difficult last week. Now, we must determine which players we believe will place third and which will simply miss out.
There are no rewards for figuring out who we think will win the men’s competition, but there is also the minor question of where we believe Mohamed Salah might finish and whether he will surpass former teammate Sadio Mane.
Despite the perception that this year’s voting will be quite tight, as stated at the beginning, Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe remain, and we have therefore managed to arrive at our rankings.
The Ballon d’Or Feminin appears to have a clear front-runner as well, but it’s unknown whether Euro 2022 may have influenced some voting.
With the links below, you may view our past predictions, but scroll down to discover where we are placing our final names. Additionally, keep an eye on Eurosport on Monday because that’s when the real winners will be announced.
5. VINICIUS JR (REAL MADRID)
2021-22 highlights – La Liga and Champions League winner, Champions League Team of the Season.
Is Vinicius Jr. the world’s fifth-best player? Possibly not, but based on his performance in the previous season, he could at the very least finish in the top five.
The Brazilian could be a popular choice when voters assess significant moments from the 2021–22 season because he capably aided Karim Benzema for Real Madrid during a season that ended with a Champions League victory.
4. MOHAMED SALAH (LIVERPOOL) 2021–22 achievements: PFA and FWA Player of the Year, Premier League Golden Boot, FA Cup and EFL Cup winner, PFA Team of the Year.
Over the summer, Salah reached the second spot in our power rankings, but as time has gone on, we’ve grown more concerned that his close calls will cost him. So close to winning the Afcon, making it to the World Cup, and having Liverpool qualify for the Premier League and Champions League.
The podium may just elude him despite the fact that he finished the season with a domestic cup double and the Premier League’s Golden Boot thanks to the 100 votes from the top 100 Fifa-ranked countries in the world.
Highlights of KYLIAN MBAPPE (PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN) 2021–22: Ligue 1 champion, top scorer and player of the year, and Champions League Team of the Year
Mbappe’s PSG teammates Lionel Messi and Neymar were left off of the 30-man shortlist, something they are already making up for this season, but we are supporting the Frenchman to constantly gain support and place just outside of the top three.
The vote is going to be very tight from second to tenth place, but Mbappe was the dominant force in Ligue 1 winning the title, being named player of the season, and leading the league in goals scored and assists despite PSG’s failures in the Champions League once again.
2. SADIO MANE (BAYERN MUNICH) 2021–22 highlights: Afcon champion, World Cup play-off victor, winner of the FA Cup and EFL Cup, winning penalty in Afcon final.
Mbappe’s PSG teammates Lionel Messi and Neymar were left off of the 30-man shortlist, something they are already making up for this season, but we are supporting the Frenchman to constantly gain support and place just outside of the top three.
The vote is going to be very tight from second to tenth place, but Mbappe was the dominant force in Ligue 1 winning the title, being named player of the season, and leading the league in goals scored and assists despite PSG’s failures in the Champions League once again.
2. SADIO MANE (BAYERN MUNICH) 2021–22 highlights: Afcon champion, World Cup play-off victor, winner of the FA Cup and EFL Cup, winning penalty in Afcon final.
Salah would undoubtedly be here if it were the other way around, but as it stands, Mane was the hero for Senegal versus Egypt in the Afcon final and World Cup play-off, providing him those headline moments that voters adore.
Fifa’s top 100 nations have a sizable African representation, but Mane is a player with widespread appeal and might come in second with the majority of ballots. He may be the top choice for some, but in reality, the Ballon d’Or winner-elect listed below is far superior to him.
1. 2021–22 highlights for KARIM BENZEMA (REAL MADRID): La Liga and Champions League champion, Champions League Team of the Season
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