July 2021: Updated Ballon d’Or power rankings: As Kante’s new position reveals after France defeat
The Chelsea midfielder would’ve had the strongest case if his France team were still in the running for the Euro 2020 title. However, Les Bleus crashed out of the competition at the last-16 stage. Kante’s stock is still high thanks to his contribution to Chelsea’s win in the Champions League.
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi moves up to first place in our ranking. The Argentine produced an impressive individual outing in the Copa America quarterfinals, scoring a stunning free-kick goal and assisting twice against Ecuador.
The top 3 is completed by Harry Kane who was the Premier League’s top goalscorer and assist maker last season and now has a great chance of winning the Euro 2020.
Robert Lewandowski, who broke the mighty Gerd Muller record in the Bundesliga, remains in the top 5 which is completed by Cristiano Ronaldo.
Full list of contenders
1. Lionel Messi
Stats for 2021
33 goals
13 assists
Copa del Rey won
Competitions left
Copa America (advanced to the semifinals)
2. N’Golo Kante
Stats for 2021
30 apps
1 assist
Champions League won
Competitions left
UEFA Super Cup
UEFA Nations League
3. Harry Kane
Stats for 2021
22 goals
5 assists
Premier League Golden Boot won
Competitions left
Euro 2020
4. Robert Lewandowski
Stats for 2021
31 goals
3 assists
European Golden Boot won
Bundesliga won
Club World Cup won
Competitions left
German Super Cup
5. Cristiano Ronaldo
Stats for 2021
27 goals
4 assists
Italian Cup won
Other top-10 candidates right now
6. Romelu Lukaku – 21 goals, 7 assists.
7. Kylian Mbappe – 29 goals, 5 assists.
8. Kevin De Bruyne – 10 goals, 9 assists.
9. Karim Benzema – 21 goals, 5 assists.
10. Luis Suarez – 13 goals, 2 assists.