Ballon d'Or predictions

It is time. In less than a month, the grand Ballon d'Or ceremony will take place. The Golden Ball is the ultimate award all soccer players, young and old, aspire to receive. In the past, Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi have won five golden balls each as a part of their fierce rivalry, but this year might have a different plan in store. Here's a look at five candidates in no specific order that may have the honor of receiving the remarkable Golden Ball.

Eden Hazard:

Hazard is a truly elite player who is at the top of his game right now. He is a driving force as #10 in Chelsea as well as Belgium. He scored 3 goals and had 2 assists in the World Cup, and was one of the best players on the Belgian team who helped them reach the semi-finals only to fall at the hands of France who later went on to win the world cup. He also has 7 goals and 3 assists playing for Chelsea making him the first player to have a hand in ten goals in Europe's top five leagues this season, and he does so every 58th minute on average. Hazard is a huge candidate to watch out for.

Luka Modrić:

Modrić is one of, if not the best player in the world right now. He led Croatia to emerge as the runners-up in the World cup this summer and won The Best FIFA Men's Player award as well as the UEFA Men's player of the year award. Many are now asking whether he will do the same for the amazing golden ball. The 33 year old superstar also plays for Real Madrid as #10 and has done so for countless years contributing to the many wins Real Madrid have accumulated over the years. This makes him a major contender worthy of obtaining the Golden Ball.

Mohamed Salah:

Salah has certainly been a Dark Horse. His past performances have been outstanding which gives him a fair chance at winning the award. In the EPL 2017/18 season, he scored 32 goals in 36 appearances, all as a newcomer to Liverpool. He seems to be going down the same path this season as well. However, due to an injury, the 26 year old Egyptian international was unable to participate in the World Cup. Salah set many records during the 17/18 season and displayed remarkable skill in the Champions League. Some of them include Most Goals in a Premier League season, the most Premier League Player of the Month awards in a season and countless others. Critics around the world have had nothing but praise for Salah, which goes to show that he might just win the Golden Ball.

Lionel Messi:

Messi is a familiar face to the Golden Ball. In the past, Messi has won 5 golden balls but he refuses to stop at that. According to an apparent leak however Messi is not doing well halfway though the voting process to determine the awardee, as well as his performance during the world cup not being up to standards ta, he has led FC Barcelona to the top of La Liga. As top scorer with 9 goals and 5 assists, Messi is showing the world that number 6 is not out of reach.

Cristiano Ronaldo:

Cristiano Ronaldo has rivaled Messi with the same number of Golden balls as part of their rivalry. Also, similar to Messi, Ronaldo is not faring quite well midway through the voting process yet he won't stop showing the world his talent. His recent transfer to Juventus and the Serie A league have resulted in him becoming a factor that has resulted in Juventus being at the top of the standings and he is one the top scorers in the league with 8 goals and is second in Serie A for assists, in which he currently has 5. The golden ball is the best way for Ronaldo to surpass Messi and further inscribe his name in the history of soccer as a legend.

Honorable Mentions:

Kylian Mbappé

Romelu Lukaku

Raphaël Varane

Harry Kane