The continental title would have gone a long way towards boosting Salah's credentials in the race for the 2022 Ballon d'Or. Lionel Messi struggled to get off to a good start at Paris Saint-Germain.
But once he's back, there is no doubt that Haaland will stack up incredible numbers as he has been nearly unstoppable in the final third this term. In his last ten appearances for PSG in all competitions, he has 10 goal involvements, scoring three and assisting seven. Almost everyone agrees that the Polish international was robbed of the award in 2020 because it was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. But Lewandowski has kept his head down and has continued to score goals at a stunning rate. Vinicius Jr. is one of the most improved players in the world this season. PSG have reaped the benefits of having him lead their attack once again this term. Los Blancos have a six-point lead at the top, and Benzemas extravagant contributions have propelled and kept them there. Benzema scored one goal and assisted on two others as Real Madrid defeated Deportivo Alaves just a few days after losing to PSG. Mikel Arteta hinted that Arsenal's focus in the final stages of the summer transfer window will be on offloading players rather than adding quality. Over the last decade and more, the duo has held a sort of duopoly over the award. In 33 appearances across all competitions for PSG so far this season, Mbappe has scored 22 goals and provided 16 assists. He was relatively quiet in the Champions League against PSG, but that wasnt entirely his fault because he was starved for service in that game.
He continues to wreak havoc in the final third with his trickery and incredible burst of pace. Ronaldo's form has dipped in recent weeks but going by history, he should be able to bounce back before the end of the season. Erling Haaland has been prolific in front of goal for Borussia Dortmund once again this season. The 34-year-old is certain to win trophies this term with PSG and that should hugely boost his credentials in the race for the most prestigious individual prize in football. Benzema finished fourth in last years award behind Lionel Messi, Lewandowski and Jorginho, but has staked a strong claim for this years prize. The 29-year-old has entered the final 18 months of his current deal with Liverpool and is waiting for his contract situation to be sorted out. Sebastian Haller has been excellent for Ajax since joining them from West Ham United in January 2021. But despite these fundamental changes, the usual suspects are set to battle it out once again to receive what is arguably the most respected individual award in world football. Despite missing 11 league games due to various injuries, Messi currently has the most assists in Ligue 1. He has played some of the best football of his career this term and has scored some wonderful goals as well. Benzema has scored 25 goals and provided 11 assists in 30 appearances across all competitions for Real Madrid so far this season. In 34 appearances across all competitions for Los Blancos so far this season, Vinicius Jr. has scored 16 goals and provided 10 assists. Messi was able to assert himself in the Champions League but it took him a while to settle down in Ligue 1. Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus shone once more in the Gunners' 3-1 victory over Orlando City at the Exploria Stadium. The winner of the Ballon dOr is determined by a combination of votes cast by journalists, national team captains, and coaches.
Benzema finished fourth in the 2021 Ballon d'Or race and looks determined to do even better this time around. Ballon d'Or 2022 top 5 Ranking - March 2022 favorites, Antony could be heading to Manchester United after what Ajax have just done, Red Devils fans will be pleased, What Gabriel Jesus did with former Chelsea star after Arsenal 3-1 victory over Orlando City, Report: 'World class' star has now been offered to Manchester City after Arsenal make bid to sign him, Marseille fans step up to end Cristiano Ronaldo transfer saga following Piers Morgan 'surprising place' bombshell, Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong breaks silence with Man Utd keen to close transfer deal, Mikel Arteta reveals Arsenals next transfer plan after securing Oleksandr Zinchenko, Tuchel admits he expects headline-taking striker to be Chelsea player this summer in his latest bombshell, Key day: Fabrizio Romano delivers an update for Chelsea fans about Jules Kounde after information he got overnight, Report: World class star has now been offered to Manchester City after Arsenal make bid to sign him, Difficult for me: David Moyes reluctantly admits that Liverpool have a phenomenal player in their ranks, Tottenham receive a boost in their efforts to complete the signing of a center-back after Juventus make a transfer decision, Arsenal shirt number options for Oleksandr Zinchenko revealed, but there is a snag, Man City vs Liverpool FC Premier League title showdown next month may not occur, UEFA Champions League quarter-final draw: UCL draw date Liverpool, Chelsea, Man Utd, Man City. The Brazilian winger has doubled down on his strengths this term. It is nearly impossible to shake him off the ball as he loves flitting past defenders with his dancing feet. In 22 appearances across all competitions this term, Messi has scored seven goals and provided nine assists. He is one of the darkhorses in the race for this year's Ballon d'Or. Messi, on the other hand, appears to be regaining his form since the turn of the year. Many eyebrows were raised when he was denied a first golden globe in last years event, despite winning FIFAs Best Player award in each of the last two years. His 28 goals in 37 appearances across all competitions this season have proven to be crucial, as he seeks to become the first African winner of the award since George Weah in 1995. They are well on their way to regain the Ligue 1 title as well. Vinicius Jr. has combined with Karim Benzema to great effect in the ongoing season. What if Man Utd don't actually need De Jong? Lionel Messi has not been at his best in the 2021-22 season. Egypt were defeated in the Africa Cup of Nations Final by Senegal, while the same opponents denied the Pharaohs a place at this years World Cup with Salah missing a crucial spot-kick in the playoff penalty shootout. A large section of football fans are of the opinion that Lewandowski should have won the 2021 Ballon d'Or over Messi. He has been extremely prolific in front of goal once again this term. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You have entered an incorrect email address! The 21-year-old is currently the most sought-after striker in the world and several European giants are interested in securing his services this summer. With the usual suspects Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo failing to hit the heights of their prime years, it is likely that we'll have a new winner this year.
Bayern Munich have looked utterly dominant at times this season. This season, he has 26 goals and 11 assists in 31 appearances for Real Madrid across all competitions. Bayern Munich are tipped to win the Bundesliga and are one of the favorites to go on to win the Champions League as well. His importance to Mauricio Pochettinos side cannot be underestimated with 17 goals and 13 assists across 27 appearances in all competitions, but may be hampered by PSGs continued underachievement in Europe. The Argentinian international failed to hit the ground running at PSG after joining them from Barcelona last summer. In addition to the above, a much more streamlined voting system is set to be introduced that allows only representatives from the top 100 countries in the FIFA mens rankings qualified to vote. Mbappe will be one of France's chief weapons in attack at the 2022 FIFA World Cup and it looks like this will be the year of the crown prince of football. Mbappe is on course to collect a fifth Ligue 1 title winners medal, but that represents the only prospect of silverware for the 23-year-old this season. Not all centre-forwards have the luxury of playing alongside a player of Muller's ability and tactical acumen. In Europes top five leagues, he is the most prolific goalscorer. The Egyptian international finished seventh in the 2021 Ballon d'Or race despite not winning any trophies. But despite a successful season at club level so far, Salah has suffered two major disappointments at international level. He then scored the games only goal as Real Madrid defeated Rayo Vallecano. It would have been perfectly excusable for Karim Benzema to have started fading this season. It is arguably the most eye-catching in a. A second Champions League triumph would also add to his cause, and his 12 goals across eight appearances in the competition have been crucial in Bayerns pursuit of a seventh European Cup. PSG exited the Champions League at the last-16 stage to Real Madrid, lost in the French Super Cup to Lille and were beaten by Nice in the French Coupe de France. Ajax have also won all six of their Champions League group stage matches. The overall winner for the prestigious honour will now be determined after journalists from LEquipe and France Football have their say, alongside the selections from Ballon dOr ambassador Didier Drogba. The 2022 Ballon dor will be presented in October, with the prestigious award now being given to the best player over a season rather than a calendar year. In 33 appearances for Bayern Munich in all competitions, the 33-year-old has scored 39 goals and provided three assists. He was the only Liga player to be ranked in the top 10 places in 2021, and holds the leagues best hope of glory once again. Only the best players in the games history have been able to take home the prestigious trophy. But he will have to remarkably up his game if he is to outperform his own teammate Kylian Mbappe and pip him to the Ballon d'Or this time around. - The Warm-Up, Barca to follow up Lewandowski signing with Kounde bid - Paper Round, Eurosport, a Discovery Company 2022 All rights reserved, 'Political award' - Ibrahimovic says Ballon d'Or snub due to Mr Perfect criteria, Ballon dOr overhauled in major shake up to award. Xavi - Messi Ballon d'Or win is 'football justice', BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - MARCH 12: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Liverpool at American Express Community Stadium on March 12, 2022 in Brighton, United King. Many supporters believe that Lewandowski should have won the Ballon dOr in 2021. So it wouldn't be wise to write him off in the race for the 2022 Ballon d'Or just yet.