Ballon d'Or 2021 Power Rankings: Why Salah's form won't be enough to win this year's prize

Last time: 20th

In 2021: 23 goals, seven assists. Won Copa America & Serie A.

After his fast start to the season, Lautaro's goals have dried up in the past couple of games, not that he had much chance of climbing up the ranking this late in the process anyway.

Last time: 17th

In 2021: 15 goals, 17 assists. Won Coupe de France & Trophee des Champions.

Lionel Messi's arrival at PSG was meant to reignite his old friend Neymar, but so far this season it hasn't happened for the Brazil superstar.

He has scored just a solitary goal in eight games, and even that came from the penalty spot.

Last time: 16th

In 2021: 33 goals, six assists.

Whether it is tiredness from a long 2020-21 season or the disappointment of joining Manchester City, something still seems to be off with Kane at Tottenham.

He looks lethargic in attack, and was even to blame for West Ham's winning goal on Sunday as he failed to cut out the corner that led to Michail Antonio's strike.

Last time: 14th

In 2021: Six goals, 13 assists. Won Euro 2020 & Serie A.

As one of the more under-the-radar nominees, Barella was unlikely to feature among the true contenders even before his goal and assist numbers began to dry up in recent weeks.

Last time: 19th

In 2021: 16 goals, 12 assists. Won Premier League & Carabao Cup.

Being in form at the point votes are being cast is never a bad thing in the Ballon d'Or race, meaning Foden may well get a bit of a bump in the final standings thanks to his outstanding performances over the past month.

That those displays have come while playing in three different positions for club and country further proves just how special of a talent the Man City man is.

Last time: 15th

In 2021: 12 goals, eight assists. Won Champions League & UEFA Super Cup.

Mount's hat-trick against Norwich was a timely reminder of the Chelsea midfielder's ability after a quiet start to the season for the England international.

For those wondering, Mount's role in Chelsea winning the Champions League, coupled with his playing time at Euro 2020, just gives him the edge on Foden for their respective returns in 2021.

Last time: 12th

In 2021: Two assists, 10 clean sheets. Won Euro 2020, Coppa Italia & Supercoppa Italiana.

With Chiellini not even a regular starter for Juventus anymore, expect this to the final time he makes a Ballon d'Or shortlist.

There is, though, no doubt that his performances at Euro 2020 were worthy of recognition this year.

Last time: 13th

In 2021: One goal, two assists, 26 clean sheets. Won Premier League & Carabao Cup.

Dias continues to quietly impress at the back for Manchester City, with his performances confirming that Virgil van Dijk has a fight on his hands to retain his crown as the Premier Legaue's top centre-back.

Last time: 18th

In 2021: 32 goals, nine assists.

A few weeks ago, it looked a long-shot for Salah to even make the top 20 of the final Ballon d'Or rankings, but his form since the start of the season has been that sensational that he could yet earn himself a top-10 finish.

Undoubtedly the best player in the world in terms of his current performances, the Egypt international is making himself an early favourite to claim football's ultimate individual prize in 2022.

As much as there an increasing clamour for him to win in 2021, though, it just is not going to happen. Inconsistencies and no trophies to speak off means Salah will have to wait at least 12 months for a shot at claiming the award.

Last time: 11th

In 2021: 20 clean sheets. Won Euro 2020.

Donnarumma's wait to become PSG's undisputed No.1 continues after a week in which he twice watched Keylor Navas play between the sticks from the bench, but Euro 2020's Player of the Tournament should still find himself fighting for a top-10 finish in the Ballon d'Or race.

Last time: 10th

In 2021: 13 goals, 15 assists. Won Premier League & Carabao Cup.

It feels like De Bruyne is still moving through the gears during these early months of the campaign, but that has not stopped him from providing both goals and assists in the colours of Man City and Belgium in 2021-22.

Last time: 9th

In 2021: 42 goals, five assists. Won Coppa Italia & Supercoppa Italiana.

Late winners in the Champions League notwithstanding, it seems that Ronaldo's return to Manchester United gets more and more controversial by the game.

There is no doubt that he has enjoyed another stellar year in front of goal, but could this be the final time we see CR7 among the Ballon d'Or contenders?

Last time: 8th

In 2021: 43 goals, 13 assists. Won DFB-Pokal.

Haaland faces being out of action for at least a month and potentially until 2022 after suffering a hip flexor injury, but if we have seen the last of him in 2021, then he can look back on his year with immense pride.

Last time: 7th

In 2021: 30 goals, eight assists. Won Serie A.

Lukaku's underwhelming start to life at Chelsea has not been helped by the injury he suffered against Malmo, and his fantastic 2021 is now in danger of petering out.

Last time: 6th

In 2021: 37 goals, 17 assists. Won UEFA Nations League, Coupe de France & Trophee des Champions.

Unlike Neymar, Mbappe seems to be thriving alongside Lionel Messi at PSG, with the France forward's early-season form putting him on pace for his best campaign in terms of direct goal involvements.

Whether this will be his final year at Parc des Princes, however, remains unknown.

Last time: 5th

In 2021: 37 goals, 14 assists. Won UEFA Nations League.

Though Benzema did not prove to be decisive in Real Madrid's Clasico victory on Sunday, he continues to pose a threat to pretty much every defence he comes up against.

Last time: 4th

In 2021: One goal, one assist. Won Champions League & UEFA Super Cup.

Kante is another whose 2021-22 season feels like it is yet to get properly going due to fitness issues, but expect him to be making match-defining performances for Chelsea sooner rather than later.

Last time: 3rd

In 2021: Eight goals, three assists. Won Euro 2020, Champions League & UEFA Super Cup.

He remains a divisive figure when it comes to the Ballon d'Or race, but it now seems inevitable that the Italy international will find himself on the podium come the end of November.

Last time: 2nd

In 2021: 59 goals, nine assists. Won Bundesliga, Club World Cup & DFL-Supercup.

Lewandowski's goal tally for the year continues to rise, and there is certainly an argument to be made that the Poland international has been the most consistent high-performer over the course of 2021.

There are only a few weeks to wait to see whether the Ballon d'Or voters agree...

Last time: 1st

In 2021: 40 goals, 14 assists. Won Copa America & Copa del Rey.

While Messi's wait for a first Ligue 1 goal goes on, he has proven to be the difference on two occasions in the Champions League already, and given that was ultimately why he was bought, an argument could still be made that the Argentine has made a solid start to life in the French capital.