BEST OF THE BEST

Many fans cannot see past Lionel Messi claiming an eighth Ballon d'Or win, but there are other contenders for when the victor is unveiled on October 16

- Dylan Appolis

LIONEL MESSI (PSG & ARGENTINA)

Although there are multiple candidates worthy of taking home this prestigious award, Messi is the front runner to claim his record eight Ballon d'Or after finally ending his long wait for his first World Cup title.

Aside from lifting the trophy in Qatar, he also walked away with the Golden Ball as the best player at the World Cup.

He looks a shoo-in to claim the prize following his form for club and country.

KYLIAN MBAPPÉ (PSG & FRANCE)

Kylian Mbappé will have his say and give PSG teammate Lionel Messi a run for his money for the individual accolade. The Frenchman finished sixth in the rankings last time around, but this year, he is another of the favourites to win.

Mbappé has been one of the standout performers this season after clinching the Golden Boot award, with eight goals in total and a hat-trick in the World Cup final.

He also recently became PSG's alltime leading scorer with 201 goals, all achieved by the age of 24.

ERLING HAALAND (MANCHESTER CITY & NORWAY) 

Despite not featuring at the World Cup after Norway failed to qualify, Haaland has been a revelation since joining Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund at the beginning of the season after activating his 60 million (£51.2 million) release clause.

Haaland will definitely be a strong contender for the Ballon d'Or if he can continue his impressive form for Pep Guardiola's side; he continues to lead the Premier League scoring charts, having gone past last season's top mark midway through the current campaign.

NEYMAR (PSG & BRAZIL)