Karim Benzema must have done enough in the 2021-22 season to finally win the Ballon d'Or. The French striker was nearly unstoppable last season and was in blistering form.
In the 2021-22 season, he scored 44 goals and assisted 15 times in 46 appearances for Real Madrid across all competitions.
In the Round of 16 and quarter-finals of the Champions League, the 34-year-old scored hat-tricks against PSG and Chelsea, respectively.
Benzema then added a brace and the game-winning goal against Manchester City in the semi-finals. He was Real Madrid's standout performer in both their La Liga and Champions League victories, and he is currently the odds-on favorite to win the Ballon d'Or.
Vinicius Junior (Brazil/Real Madrid)
Vinicius Jr., easily the surprise package of the 2021-22 season, couldn't have come at a better time for Real Madrid. The club was becoming overly reliant on Karim Benzema and desperately needed someone to share the burden.
The tricky Brazilian winger vastly improved his finishing and link-up play and came up big for Los Blancos on numerous occasions. Vinicius also scored the game-winning goal for Real Madrid against Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League final.
The 21-year-old was also a standout performer for Real Madrid during their La Liga triumph. In 52 appearances for Real Madrid across all competitions this season, he scored 22 goals and provided 20 assists.
Sadio Mane (Senegal/Bayern Munich) third
Sadio Mane has had a fantastic 2022 season so far. He led Senegal to victory at the 2021 AFCON and was named 'Player of the Tournament.'
He also improved his chances of winning the Ballon d'Or by assisting Senegal in securing a spot in the 2022 FIFA World Cup at the expense of Egypt.
Mane also moved into a center-forward role for Liverpool in the second half of the season and was very effective in his new role. He was a key member of Jurgen Klopp's side that won both the FA Cup and the League Cup.
In 51 appearances across all competitions for Liverpool last season, he scored 23 goals and provided five assists.
4. Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich/Poland)
For several seasons, Robert Lewandowski has been Europe's most prolific striker. Last year, the 33-year-old was a leading contender for the Ballon d'Or award.
However, the same lack of silverware that prevented him from winning the Ballon d'Or last year is likely to stymie his chances this time.
In the 2021-22 season, Lewandowski scored 50 goals and provided seven assists in 46 appearances for Bayern Munich across all competitions. He also played an important role in Poland's World Cup qualification.
This season, he also won the European Golden Shoe for the second time in a row.
Lewandowski, on the other hand, has only the Bundesliga title to his name.
5. Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain/France)
Trophies are very important in the Ballon d'Or race. Despite playing for Paris Saint-Germain, one of Europe's most star-studded teams, Kylian Mbappe did not bring home a lot of silverware.
PSG won the Ligue 1 title, but their elimination from the Champions League in the Round of 16 will have hurt his chances of winning the Ballon d'Or. Mbappe, on the other hand, performed admirably, scoring in both legs of their Round of 16 match against Real Madrid.
In the 2021-22 season, the 23-year-old also put up incredible numbers. In 46 appearances for PSG across all competitions, he scored 39 goals and provided 26 assists.
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