Ballon d’Or

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      Ibrahimovic snubs Ballon d’Or and says he wouldn’t swap his 12 Swedish player of the year awards for prestigious gong

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      ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC has dismissed his lack of Ballon d’Or crowns – preferring the ‘continuity’ he has shown with several Swedish honours.
      The Guldbollen is Sweden’s footballer of the year prize and AC Milan striker Ibrahimovic ended a short dry spell to reclaim the gong in 2020.

      Zlatan Ibrahimovic has never finished on the Ballon d’Or podiumCredit: Reuters

      It was the striker’s 12th victory in the award, a record by some margin, having lost out in the last two years to Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof.
      And he insisted that the honour is more important to him than a single Ballon d’Or would ever be.
      Ibrahimovic told SportWeek, via Goal: “I wouldn’t swap my 12 Guldbollen for one from France Football because, for me, they mean continuity.
      “I have seen many who have won the World Cup, European Championship, Champions League, even the Ballon d’Or, had a wonderful year, fantastic.

      “Then later they disappeared, but I’ve been in the game for 25 years. 
      “Always at the top. It’s a big difference.”

      I am Santa Claus. I am the one who brings gifts to all my 27 children. Two are in Sweden and the other 25 are at Milanello.
      Zlatan Ibrahimovic

      The 39-year-old is enjoying his latest renaissance with Serie A leaders Milan.
      Were the Ballon d’Or on this year, he would have a decent chance of a nomination thanks to his ten goals in six league games this campaign.

      In fact, Ibrahimovic has been on the longlist 11 times with a best finish of fourth in the 2013 awards.
      Milan sit one point above rivals Inter going into the New Year, following a last-gasp win over Lazio last time out.
      The veteran striker, currently out with a calf injury, remarked that he is bringing gifts to the ‘children’ he guides in the San Siro dressing room.
      Ibrahimovic said: “I never ask for anything for myself [at Christmas]. 

      Ibrahimovic took home fourth-place in the 2013 Ballon d’Or votingCredit: Getty – Contributor

      “I am Santa Claus. I am the one who brings gifts to all my 27 children. Two are in Sweden and the other 25 are at Milanello.
      “This year, huge congratulations for what we have done and what we’re doing. 
      “We’ve lost very few games. I don’t know if that’s thanks to me, but I did do something, I brought something in.”

      Watch Mino Raiola hang up on Simon Jordan in furious row over Ibrahimovic’s FIFA 21 image rights live on talkSPORT More

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      Eto’o blasts ‘disrespectful’ France Football for listing him in 10 top best right-wingers ever with Messi and Beckham

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      SAMUEL ETO’O has hit out at ‘disrespectful’ France Football for naming him in their top ten right-wingers of all time.
      The legendary Cameroonian striker played the majority of his iconic career up-front and he is not happy being labelled a right-winger alongside David Beckham and Lionel Messi.

      Samuel Eto’o was fuming over his inclusion as a right winger in France Football’s nominees for greatest footballers of all time

      France Football run the historic Ballon d’Or award but bizarrely cancelled it this year because of coronavirus.
      And in its place they are attempting to collate the best XI players of all time.
      The formation is a 3-4-3 with a pool of iconic final nominees for the panel of 170 international journalists to choose from.

      But having whittled each position down to a list of ten, France Football’s editorial staff have come in for some flack from ex-Barcelona, Chelsea and Inter Milan star Eto’o.
      Having seen himself included as a right-winger, Eto’o tweeted: “Thank you but I played one or two seasons on the right yet I have 25 years of career as a centre-forward.
      “The lack of respect @FranceFootball.
      “WHATEVER!”

      Eto’o was joined on the list by nine other iconic superstars of the ages.

      Beckham and Messi lined up next to Manchester United legend George Best, Liverpool hero Kevin Keegan and Brazilian icons from the 50s, 60s and 70s Garrincha and Jairzinho.
      Stanley Matthews completed the list of historic names with his career that spanned from 1932-1965.
      Before more modern stars from the early 90s and beyond were included.
      Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Holland magician Arjen Robben and Portuguese poster boy Luis Figo completed the list.
      Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski was in line to scoop this year’s Ballon d’Or after leading his team to an incredible Bundesliga and Champions League double.

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      FIFA 21 guesses next 15 players to follow Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as Ballon d’Or winners

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      FIFA 21 has been used to guess the next 15 Ballon d’Or winners.
      Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have won 11 of the last 12 and a YouTuber has figured out who might win the next 15 using FIFA 21’s career mode.

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      FIFA 21 has been used to guess the next 15 Ballon d’Or winners Credit: EA Sports

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      Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have won 11 of the last 12 awardsCredit: AFP or licensors

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      Messi has bagged a record six Ballons d’OrCredit: AFP or licensors

      The 2020 award was cancelled for the first time in 64 years by France Football because of coronavirus.
      Robert Lewandowski was hot favourite to bag the award after a Champions League and Bundesliga-winning season.
      Messi is the current holder of the award having won a historic sixth in 2019.

      And YouTuber BCHDGaming has simulated the next 15 seasons on FIFA 21’s career mode to see who might be the winners of the future.
      2020 – CRISTIANO RONALDO
      Nominees: Lewandowski, Mo Salah, Sadio Mane.

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      Ronaldo – 2020Credit: EA Sports FIFA
      2021 – LIONEL MESSI

      Nominees: Neymar, Mbappe, Raheem Sterling.

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      Messi – 2021Credit: EA Sports FIFA

      2022 – KYLIAN MBAPPE
      Nominees: Messi, Jadon Sancho, Sterling.

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      Mbappe – 2022Credit: EA Sports FIFA
      2023 – KYLIAN MBAPPE
      Nominees:Sterling, Vinicius Jr, Paulo Dybala.

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      Mbappe – 2023Credit: EA Sports FIFA
      2024 – RAHEEM STERLING
      Nominees: Inaki Williams, Joao Felix, Mbappe.

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      Sterling – 2024Credit: EA Sports FIFA
      2025 – JOAO FELIX
      Nominees: Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, Matheus Cunha.

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      Felix – 2025Credit: EA Sports FIFA

      2026 – KYLIAN MBAPPE
      Nominees: Francisco Trincao, Ansu Fati, Felix.

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      Mbappe – 2026Credit: EA Sports FIFA
      2027 – VINICIUS JR
      Nominees: Luis Javier Suarez, Adam Hlozek, Mbappe.

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      Vinicius Jr – 2027Credit: EA Sports FIFA
      2028 – VINICIUS JR
      Nominees: Mbappe, Felix, Hlozek.

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      Vinicius Jr – 2028Credit: EA Sports FIFA
      2029 – AMARA NGOM (Sadio Mane regen)
      Nominees: Mbappe, Lautaro Martinez, Jonathan David.

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      Ngom – 2029Credit: EA Sports FIFA
      2030 – BOA MORTE (Cristiano Ronaldo regen)
      Nominees: Fati, Trincao, Mbappe.

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      Boa Morte – 2030Credit: EA Sports FIFA
      2031 – JUAN GOMEZ (Lionel Messi regen)
      Nominees: Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, Boa Morte.

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      Gomez – 2031Credit: EA Sports FIFA
      2032 – ALEXANDER ISAK
      Nominees: Erling Haaland, Sancho, Mbappe.

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      Isak – 2032Credit: EA Sports FIFA
      2033 – KYLIAN MBAPPE
      Nominees: Vinicius Jr, Leonel Lodico (Sergio Aguero regen), Juan Gomez.

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      Mbappe – 2033Credit: EA Sports FIFA

      Manchester clubs have the worst net spend in the past decade by some distance
      2034 – ANSU FATI
      Nominees: Konrad Dabrowski (Lewandowski regen), Haaland, Sancho.

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      Fati – 2034Credit: EA Sports FIFA
      FIFA 21 is released today.

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      Lionel Messi ‘tempted’ by shock Arsenal transfer to link-up with Wenger and Fabregas, reveals ex-agent of Barcelona icon

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      LIONEL MESSI came close to joining Arsenal alongside Cesc Fabregas 17 years ago, according to the Barcelona icon’s former agent.
      Fabiano Soldini revealed Arsene Wenger had identified the Nou Camp skipper as a potential signing during his academy days. 

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      Lionel Messi is believed to have been an Arsenal target during his time at Barcelona’s La Masia

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      Cesc Fabregas went on to win an FA Cup with Wenger’s Arsenal in 2005 before becoming the club’s skipper

      And alongside Fabregas and Gerard Pique, Messi 33, was one of three possible Wenger targets during his stint in Barca’s famed La Masia. 
      And while the former Emirates boss, 70, succeeded in bringing Fabregas to North London, the Argentina playmaker chose to stay at the Nou Camp while Pique, 33, went to Manchester United. 
      Soldini told Marca: “[Messi] was tempted to go to Arsenal, but he didn’t go. 
      “I remember the day that Cesc asked to leave [Barcelona]. 
      “Messi was also asked to go, but he didn’t want to leave.” 
      Whilst Fabregas, 33, went on to become Arsenal captain under Wenger, Messi evolved into one of the world’s greatest ever players accumulating a glittering array of silverware.   

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      The six-time Ballon d’Or winner won eight LaLiga titles with Barcelona and four Champions League trophies within an eight-year period. 

      Wenger’s Arsenal side lost six Champions League clashes to Barcelona including the 2006 final of the competition.

      We were interested in him, but he was untouchable at the time
      Arsene Wenger

      And the Frenchman admitted Messi was an “untouchable” target at the time of the Gunners’ interest. 
      The former Emirates chief told BeIN Sports: “We were in discussions with [Messi] when we bought Fabregas, because Messi played [with him].
      “You can realise sometimes what fantastic youth teams you had before when you’re a club like Barcelona.

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      Barcelona skipper Messi has won eight LaLiga titles with the club Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      “In the same team, Messi, [Gerard] Pique and Fabregas.
      “Pique and Fabregas came to England [with Manchester United and Arsenal respectively], Messi stayed in Spain.
      “We were interested in him, but he was untouchable at the time.”

      Watch Lionel Messi score stunner with his RIGHT foot in Barcelona friendly after Man City’s failed transfer swoop More

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      Forget Messi and Ronaldo… Lewandowski insists he deserves Ballon d’Or after firing Bayern Munich to Champions League

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      BAYERN MUNCH striker Robert Lewandowski is in no doubt he deserves the prestigious Ballon d’Or this season.
      The Polish star enjoyed a stunning campaign on a personal level, scoring 59 goals in just 53 games in all competitions for club and country.

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      Robert Lewandowski is adamant he would have won the Ballon d’OrCredit: Reuters
      He won three trophies with Bayern, culminating with the Champions League piece after beating Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in the final.
      But the 32-year-old did suffer one blow this season – when media organisation France Football scrapped the prestigious Ballon d’Or presentation.
      The decision was taken after coronavirus impacted football all across Europe.
      Lewandowski was hot favourite to pip perennial winners Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to the award.

      Now, speaking to Polish news-site Sportowe Fakty, Lewandowski was sure who would win.
      “Myself”, he answered, when asked the question.
      “We won everything we could with Bayern. In every competition: Bundesliga, German Cup and Champions League, I was the top scorer.”
      Then hinting that Messi and Ronaldo might be some people’s selections, he added: “I understand that the pressure of other parties on another player may be greater.”

      In comparison Messi netted 31 goals in 44 games for Barcelona and Argentina, before slapping in a shock transfer request with the Spanish giants.
      Over in Italy, Ronaldo scored 48 goals in 52 games for Juventus and Portugal.
      It would have been the first time Lewandowski would have collected the award.
      It is the first time there has been no winner since the prize was inaugurated in 1956.
      Messi won for a record sixth time in 2019 although his duopoly with five-time winner Ronaldo, with 11 of the last 12 victories between them, could have been broken this time round.

      Gnabry and Lewandowski send dominant Bayern Munich to Champions League final against PSG More

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      Inter Milan have ‘everything it takes’ to seal stunning Lionel Messi transfer from Barcelona, says ex-president Moratti

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      INTER MILAN have “everything it takes” to seal the shock signing of Lionel Messi according to the club’s former President.
      The Argentina playmaker has been a long-term target for the Italian giants with their former president an admirer of the La Liga icon. 

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      Lionel Messi has been a long-term target for Inter Milan and former club president Massimo Moratti believes they can seal a shock transfer
      Massimo Moratti reckons Suning Holdings, Inter’s current owners, have “everything it takes” in their power to prise Messi away from the Nou Camp. 
      Gossip concerning the 33-year-old’s future has refused to die down following his scathing assessment of Barca’s league performances this term. 
      The former LaLiga champions lost their crown to bitter rivals Real Madrid with Zinedine Zidane’s team capturing their first title in three years. 
      And if Messi was unhappy with Barcelona’s domestic performances then what he must have made of their 8-2 Champions League exit to Bayern Munich is anyone’s guess.

      Inter, under Moratti’s stewardship, had tried and failed to capture the Barca skipper’s signature on a handful of occasions. 
      But the 75-year-old reckons the Nerazzuri’s wealthy Chinese owners are in a perfect position to seal a deal for six-time Ballon d’Or winner. 
      Moratti told Quotidiano Sportivo: “I am just a simple fan of Inter now, so I don’t have any inside information. 
      “Having said that, I do know this: Suning have everything it takes to bring Messi to Milan, in terms of both resources and competence.”

      One Inter signing Moratti admits he was wrong to underestimate was the £76.5million signing of former Manchester United forward Romelu Lukaku. 

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      Messi, who scored 25 goals in 33 La Liga appearances this term, has slammed some of Barcelona’s performances this season
      The Belgian international, whose United performances came in criticism from pundits in the past, has been in fine form for the Serie A giants in his debut season. 
      Lukaku, 27, has netted 31 goals across all competitions this term. 
      On the Belgium player’s performances Moratti added:  “I got it wrong on Lukaku. 
      “In all honesty, I thought he was just physically strong and feared we would regret losing Icardi. Instead, Romelu is a champion, always helps his team-mates and has good vision.
      “Antonio Conte was right to demand his signing and then did so well to improve him.” 

      On Monday Inter, who are rumoured to have agreed terms with Chelsea outcast Emerson, are due to face Shaktar Donesk in the semi-finals of the Europa League. 
      And the Italian club will be aiming to capture a trophy they have won on three occasions. 
      Moratti added: “Winning the Europa League won’t be easy, as there are four very competitive sides left, but I do hope Inter can be the next Italian club to lift a European trophy.”

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      Inter Milan have money and resources to seal shock Lionel Messi transfer from Barcelona, reveals ex-president Moratti

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      INTER MILAN have “everything it takes” to seal a shock swoop for Lionel Messi according to the club’s former President. The Argentina playmaker has been a long-term target for the Italian giants with their former chief an admirer of the La Liga icon.  Massimo Moratti reckons Suning Holdings, Inter’s current owners, have “everything it takes” […] More

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      Lionel Messi would have won Ballon d’Or this season with Cristiano Ronaldo missing out on the top three, say the stats

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      LIONEL MESSI has been robbed of his seventh Ballon d’Or, according to the stats.
      The world-famous award ceremony was cancelled for the first time in its 64-year history after coronavirus swallowed a huge chunk of the 2019-20 season.

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      The top ten players in Europe’s Big Five leagues in 2019-20
      And that’s bad news for Messi who was on course to pull further away from Cristiano Ronaldo with accolade No7.
      According to match ratings from WhoScored, Messi was the top-performing player in all of Europe’s Big Five leagues by some margin.
      Ronaldo, meanwhile, didn’t even crack the top three.
      Check out the top ten would-be contenders for the 2020 Ballon d’Or…

      1. LIONEL MESSI – 8.71

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      Lionel Messi was on course for his seventh Ballon d’Or say the statsCredit: EPA
      THE Argentine wizard lead’s LaLiga in goals scored and assists this season.
      On top of that, he broke Xavi’s single-season assist record and became the first player in league history to score 20 goals and lay on 20 assists in one campaign.
      So there’s little wonder Messi was the runaway leader in the race for the Ballon d’Or this season…
      2. KYLIAN MBAPPE – 8.14

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      Kylian Mbappe was in thr unning for the Ballon d’Or before it was cancelledCredit: AP:Associated Press
      IN a shortened Ligue 1 season, Mbappe was once again the standout star.

      The 2018 World Cup winner had a hand in 25 goals in just 20 league games this term.
      A big-money move to Real Madrid was on the cards before coronavirus hit football clubs hard, financially.
      3. ROBERT LEWANDOWKSI – 8.13

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      Robert Lewandowski was amongst the favourites to win the 2020 Ballon d’OrCredit: EPA
      THE bookies’ favourite for the award as recently as last week, Lewandowski had a season to remember.
      He won yet another Bundesliga title while scoring 34 times in just 31 matches.
      Lewandowski has never won the Ballon d’Or and, unfortunately for him, may never have a better chance.
      4. CRISTIANO RONALDO – 7.91

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      Cristiano Ronaldo ranks only fourth in the best ratings listCredit: Alamy Live News
      HAVING won it five times already, Ronaldo was itching to make it No6 to draw level with Messi once again.
      But according to the ratings, he’s good only for fourth, despite scoring 30 times in 30 Serie A games en route to helping Juventus win the title.
      This season, Ronaldo also became the first player to score 30 goals in a single season in THREE of the Big Five leagues – after also doing so at Man Utd (Premier League) and Real Madrid (LaLiga).
      5. KEVIN DE BRUYNE – 7.88

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      De Bruyne completes the top five best players in Europe this seasonCredit: Tom Jenkins
      DESPITE Manchester City’s failure to put up a fight in the Premier League, De Bruyne has been exceptional as ever.
      The Belgian ace is on track to break the Premier League assists record, just one away from Thierry Henry’s tally of 20.
      De Bruyne still has a job to do though, with the second-leg of his side’s Champions League last-16 clash with real Madrid on the horizon.

      6. ANGEL DI MARIA – 7.75

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      Angel Di Maria continues to play at a high level for PSGCredit: AFP or licensors
      WITH 14 assists this term, the former Manchester United flop is proving he’s still got what it takes to play at an elite level.
      With an average rating of 7.75 per game it wouldn’t have been out of place for the PSG star to have been in the conversation for the Ballon d’Or.

      7. DIMITRI PAYET – 7.73

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      Dimitri Payet has enjoyed a fine season at MarseilleCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Now aged 33, Payet is still lighting up European football with a string of scintillating performances.
      The French former West Ham ace scored nine times and added four assists in just 22 Ligue 1 games this season.
      8. JOSIP ILICIC – 7.65

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      Ilicic has been in electric form for high-flying AtalantaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      WITH 15 goals and eight assists in just 26 games, the No10 has been on fire this season.
      Ilicic has been a huge factor in Atalanta’s meteoric rise in the past few years – with the Italians still in the running for the Champions League.
      9. JADON SANCHO – 7.64

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      Jadon Sancho is one of Europe’s most sought-after starsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      WITH 17 goals and 16 assists in the Bundesliga this season, there’s little wonder why so many clubs are chasing the England satr.
      With an average match rating of 7.64 this season, he’ll surely be in the running for the Ballon d’Or one day.
      10. TIMO WERNER – 7.6

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      Timo Werner joins Chelsea on the back of a superb season in the BundesligaCredit: EPA
      THE German is on his way to Chelsea this summer – nad it’s easy to see why the Blues wanted him.
      Werner scored 28 goals and added eight assists in 34 matches in 2019-20, earning the tenth-highest average rating.

      TOP 20 PLAYERS IN EUROPE: 11-20

      11. Alejandro Gomez (Atalanta) – 7.58
      12. Luis Alberto (Lazio) – 7.56
      13. Adama Traore (Wolves) – 7.53
      14. Duvan Zapata (Atalanta) – 7.52
      15. Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich) – 7.52
      16. Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund) – 7.5
      17. Ricardo Pereira (Leicester) – 7.5
      18. Riyad Mahrez (Man City) – 7.5
      19. Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich) – 7.49
      20. Paulo Dybala (Juventus) – 7.48

      Ballon d’Or 2020 AXED for first time in 64 years due to coronavirus in blow to favourite Robert Lewandowski More