Messi and Ronaldo both have five Ballons d'Or apiece, so who could win the award this year to break up their decade-long dominance?

The Ballon d'Or 2018 award will mark precisely 10 years since Cristiano Ronaldo first scooped up the award in 2008, leading to an entire decade of him and Messi solely dominating the trophy as both winners and runners-up.

Both superstars now have five (five!) Ballons d'Or apiece, and what with both of them underperforming at the World Cup with their respective nations, it may be time for a new era where a new player finally usurps them to the biggest individual honour in football.


Messi and Ronaldo crashing out early in Russia has led to other stars to establish themselves as Ballon d'Or contenders. But who are the favourites to win the trophy, and who are the underdogs to claim the prize? Goal has all the information.

Favourites to win the 2018 Ballon d'Or

In the wake of the 2018 World Cup that was bursting at the seams with favourites crashing out early and individual talents taking centre-stage, it may pave the way for an opportunity for a new player to break up the Ronaldo-Messi duopoly, especially since neither player reached the levels that were expected of them in Russia.

For a World Cup that was hyped up as a tournament for the two forwards to shine in, both their respective nations were disappointingly eliminated in the last 16 stage.


Messi missed the opportunity to finally lift an international honour with Argentina in his potentially last and best chance to win the World Cup while Ronaldo also failed to capitalise on Portugal's Euro 2016 success. Both are still perennially in the running to win the Ballon d'Or, though their chances may have dipped what with their early exits from the World Cup despite performing well at club level.

Stars may have been aligned and peace in football may have been achieved as Ronaldo and Messi both have five a piece – a perfect whole number – and it may be time for a new player to win the coveted award. This summer's World Cup may be the turning point and what ultimately edges a player out from Ronaldo and Messi.

After incredible performances in Russia 2018, the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Luka Modric and Antoine Griezmann are among the emerging talents in Russia and favourites to win the Ballon d'Or.

Croatia captain Modric won the World Cup Golden Ball award – the prize awarded to the tournament's best-performing player – after guiding his side to the final in Moscow and establishing himself as one of the best midfielders in the world (if not the best).

The Real Madrid midfielder scored in Croatia's opening two matches against Nigeria and Argentina as well as making one assist to earn the MVP award despite losing 4-2 in the final, though he's not the favourite for the Ballon d'Or.

His outstanding performance in Russia as well as his instrumental role in winning the Champions League with Real Madrid for the third time in a row has made him a favourite for the Ballon d'Or this year, even ahead of Messi.

Mbappe is another star who has in contention to win the Ballon d'Or after playing a pivotal role in France's World Cup success off the backs of an excellent season at Paris Saint-Germain



The 19-year-old superstar – who wasn't even alive when Les Bleus lifted their first World Cup in 1998 – won the Young Player Award in Russia after scoring four goals (including one in the final). His strike vs Croatia made him just the second teenager in history to have scored in a World Cup final after Pele in 1958.

Ronaldo still remains a frontrunner to win the award despite Portugal's early World Cup exit at the hands of Uruguay, but his move to Juventus has signalled his intent to still establish himself as the 'GOAT' (greatest of all-time) ahead of Messi – eager to win yet another major European title after conquering England and Spain with Manchester United and Real Madrid respectively.



Griezmann is another player who is a favourite to win the Ballon d'Or no doubt buoyed by his nation's World Cup win as well as having scooped up the Man of the Match award in the final game of the tournament.

The Atletico Madrid forward finished third in the race for the Ballon d'Or in 2016 and could contend for a better finish this year. The France international scored four goals and provided two assists in Russia and was one of his country's best-performing players, marking two years from when he won the Golden Boot in the 2016 Euros.

Ballon d'Or 2018 outsiders

Oddly enough, Brazil and Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar is not a favourite to win the Ballon d'Or this year, or even high-ranking as an outsider to lift the award after an abysmal World Cup where he failed to live up to expectations.

Russia 2018 was the chance for Neymar to announce himself as a contender to outshine both Ronaldo and Messi. But Brazil's underwhelming showing and his own infamous on-pitch antics – he proved to be one of the most unpopular figures to have emerged from the World Cup after his numerous playacting displays in front of the referee – has destroyed his reputation and chances of winning the Ballon d'Or after finishing third in both 2015 and 2017.


Tottenham and England striker Kane has emerged as a contender for the Ballon d'Or after the likes of Messi and Mbappe after he won the Golden Boot in Russia after scoring six goals in the tournament. He is unlikely to win the award, however, considering that three of his World Cup goals were scored through penalties, two netted from a corner and his only goal from play a tap-in he was not aware of it.

Adding to the fact that he has failed to win silverware for Spurs and finished in fourth place with England at the World Cup, he is still relatively high as a favourite to win the Golden Boot – despite finishing second as the Premier League top-scorer to Liverpool's Salah. Additionally, Michael Owen in 2001 was the last English player to have won the award.


Salah is another name who is an outside favourite to win the award, though his chances could have been higher had he managed to win the Champions League with Liverpool. The 25-year-old broke several records in his debut season at Anfield and also outscored both Fernando Torres and Luis Suarez at Liverpool, scoring 32 goals.

Egypt's inability to win a game in Russia may also have affected his chances, though he was injured for most of the tournament and will regret not being able to have made as big an impact as he wanted.

He did win the Premier League Golden Boot award with Liverpool, and came second in the European Golden Shoe award with 32 goals (Messi scooped the award with 34 goals).

Salah also managed to edge out Manchester City star De Bruyne to the Football Writers and Players' Player of the Year Awards, despite the Belgian international having a sensational season under Pep Guardiola and winning the title.

The Belgium international is another outside favourite to win the Ballon d'Or as he was an instrumental factor in Belgium's third-place World Cup finish.

Previous Ballon d'Or winners


Ronaldo and Messi have dominated the last 10 years as both winners and runners-up for the award. The last player to have won the Ballon d'Or after winning the World Cup was Fabio Cannavaro in 2006 following Italy's success in Germany, while Kaka was the last non-Ronaldo/Messi footballer to have scooped up the trophy.

Neymar has finished in third place twice, most recently in 2017, while Antoine Griezmann finished third in 2016.


Lalasticlala
Mynd44

CR7

Cristiano Ronaldo of course!

As at now, Messi is slightly leading, followed by Modric before Ronaldo but the first 3 months of this New season will play a larger role in determining the Winner

SALAH, MODRIC,MBAPPE ....MY NOMINATION

oshe11:
As at now, Messi is slightly leading, followed by Modric before Ronaldo but the first 3 months of this New season will play a larger role in determining the Winner

leading based on what?
LA liga top scorer or la liga champion

OPTIMUSPRIME08:
leading based on what? LA liga top scorer or la liga champion

He is leading.......
U can take that to the bank

oshe11:

He is leading.......

U can take that to the bank

yeah leading on ur forehead

oshe11:

He is leading.......

U can take that to the bank

He is leading without you having any explanation? Do they win awards based on sentiments?

yemmight:


He is leading without you having any explanation? Do they win awards based on sentiments?

lol


Who is being Sentimental?


I'm FACTUAL bro

oshe11:
As at now, Messi is slightly leading, followed by Modric before Ronaldo but the first 3 months of this New season will play a larger role in determining the Winner

First time I am reading an objective comment from a Messi Fan, as a Cr7 fan I agree Messi is slightly leading the pack ahead of 2018 Balon d or:

Messi led Barcelona unbeaten to Laliga title last season and emerged both as laliga top scorer and top assist.

Cr7 led Real to a third consecutive UCL title with wonderful bicycle kick against buffon and emerged as UCL top scorer.

personally I will rate their performances for country last season and at the world cup as equal.

Cr7 baba is a goal

Whats the criteria for this balon dor?why is it that gk,df,and mf dont win it?