After the list of 30 nominees was revealed, Lionel Messi is the overwhelming favorite to win the Ballon d'Or for the record-extending seventh time.
The former Barcelona and current PSG player helped Argentina win the 2021 Copa America while scoring 44 goals in 60 games during the season, including 38 in 47 at club level, and winning his first major international trophy.
In 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, and 2019, Messi has won the award six times. In contrast, Cristiano Ronaldo, his closest competitor in the award's history, has picked up the trophy five times in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017.
With five goals in his first major finals, Golden Boot at Euro 2020 (36 in 44 appearances for Juventus), he became Portugal's all-time record international striker before a thrilling win against Republic of Ireland, Manchester United forward Juan Mata is also on the shortlist. He has a slim chance of winning it a sixth time.
Robert Lewandowski, the 2020-21 European Golden Shoe winner who scored 41 Bundesliga goals for Bayern Munich as they won the German league title last season, is Messi's closest betting rival. The 33-year-old was widely predicted to win the individual prize until the event's organizers canceled it.
Chelsea's Jorginho is next, having played a major role in the club's Champions League triumph last season before helping Italy succeed at Euro 2020 in the summer.
Teammate N'Golo Kante, of Chelsea, is a shot after being selected UEFA's Player of the Match in both semi-final legs against Real Madrid and the final versus Manchester City, who are represented by five players, among them Kevin de Bruyne, who is a shot.
All five Chelsea players, including captain Cesar Azpilicueta, and five Manchester City players are nominated, including the Premier League champions.
While Harry Kane, Phil Foden, Mason Mount, and Raheem Sterling are all running for the Premier League Player of the Year award, the Tottenham forward is a long shot at winning.
United's Bruno Fernandes is the other nominee, and Mohamed Salah of Liverpool is also on the list.
Nicolo Barella, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, and Gianluigi Donnarumma are also on the list, as are Borussia Dortmund's Erling Haaland and Euro 2020 champions Nicolo Barella and Leonardo Bonucci.
In addition to Messi and Ronaldo, Luka Modric is the only player to have won the award since 2008 after his triumph in 2018.
The women's competition has 20 nominees, including Manchester City's Ellen White and Chelsea's Fran Kirby.
On November 29, Paris will host the Ballon d'Or ceremony, which was postponed owing to the coronavirus outbreak last year.
