The Champions League semi-final line-up being settled means the runners and riders for the 2022 Ballon d’Or are already jockeying for position.
The battle for world football’s most coveted individual prize will be leant an extra layer of intrigue by a World Cup late in the calendar year.
But recent history shows that Champions League success can often hold the key to finishing on top of the podium, with the winners from 2014-2018 all being a reigning champion of Europe
Here are four favorite football players who could win the award in 2022.
1. Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne is surely the big competitor for the 2022 FIFA Ballon D'Or award . The Belgian international has scored 14 goals and provided 8 assists in all competitions. The Manchester City guard scored against Atlético de Madrid and Liverpool in three days this week alone. In the event of a European and Premier League title, the captain of the Citizens would have all the cards in hand. We are talking about a player with more than 91% of successful passes this season... We are waiting for the duel with Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the Champions.
2. Sadio Mane
Sadio Mané could win all the competitions in which he is engaged. African Cup of Nations and League Cup, it's done. Remains the Premier League and the Champions League as well as an FA Cup final. All this while being an indisputable holder. This season he has scored 16 goals and 3 assists with Liverpool. At AFCON, the Senegalese international was voted best player. Moreover, the Reds star also qualified his country for the World Cup. A less daunting season in terms of stats but much more in terms of trophies.
3. Robert Lewandowski
Robert Lewandowski has yet another hell of a season. 47 goals and 4 caviars in just 41 games played... Infernal statistics, especially in the Champions League where he is the top scorer. With only one crown in the Bundesliga, the Polish international will find it difficult to compete. His team did not leave a superb face by being eliminated by the surprise Villarreal. But the Polish striker can still shock the whole world by claiming the football most valuable individual trophy.
4. Thibaut Courtois
Why not a goalkeeper as a future Ballon D'Or? Thibaut Courtois has had another full season. Round trip against PSG like Chelsea, his parades counted in the balance. No errors to note in this Champions League campaign. The Belgian international has accumulated 18 clean sheets in 44 games this season. Less than one goal conceded on average, unfailing consistency. Still, Real Madrid have rocked a lot in 2022.
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