{"id":27813,"date":"2020-07-21T19:04:00","date_gmt":"2020-07-21T13:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/?p=27813"},"modified":"2020-07-21T19:04:00","modified_gmt":"2020-07-21T13:34:00","slug":"ballon-dor-top-5-players-who-could-have-won","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/ballon-dor-top-5-players-who-could-have-won\/","title":{"rendered":"Ballon d&#8217;Or 2020: Top 5 players who could have won the big prize"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>On Monday, France Football announced that they won\u2019t be giving away the Ballon d\u2019Or in 2020, owing to the fact that many leagues and competitions were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>For the first time since its inception in 1956, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goal.com\/en\/news\/messi-ronaldo-2020-ballon-dor-cancelled-coronavirus-pandemic\/m5mn92si0wg2130ya96i7sh08\" class=\"rank-math-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the prestigious award won\u2019t be given away<\/a>, a piece of news that comes as a big shock to many players who performed at their usual best, despite the fact that the season was ravaged by the two-month lockdown break.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Ballon d\u2019Or 2020 becomes the latest casualty in the long list of events that have been affected by the global calamity.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-twitter wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">BREAKING: For the first time since 1956, the Ballon d&#39;Or will not be awarded to any player this year due to the break in football in 2020 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/V5L1ty5Tqz\" target=\"_blank\">pic.twitter.com\/V5L1ty5Tqz<\/a><\/p>&mdash; B\/R Football (@brfootball) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/brfootball\/status\/1285182407151439872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">July 20, 2020<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>As per a statement from France Football editor Pascal Ferre, awarding the accolade after one of the most unusual seasons in recent history would be \u2018unfair\u2019.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>\u201cIt\u2019s such a strange year that we couldn\u2019t treat it as an ordinary one. It isn\u2019t a decision we took lightly, but we had to accept it couldn\u2019t be a normal or typical Ballon d\u2019Or winner, and what really worried us it that it wouldn\u2019t be fairly awarded.\u201d<\/p><cite>Pascal Ferre<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n<p>Understandably, it may be the right call to cancel the Ballon d\u2019Or, although many players will feel hard done by, given their lofty standard of performances throughout the course of the 2019-20 season.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>That being said, we decided to draw up a list of potential candidates who could have won the Ballon d\u2019Or if things had happened normally. Here are our top five picks who could possibly have landed the big prize, if not for the COVID-19 outbreak.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">#5 Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid\/Spain)<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<p>While <a class=\"rank-math-link\" href=\"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/real-madrids-34th-la-liga-triumph\/\">Los Blancos\u2019 league triumph<\/a> may have come as a collective effort, it\u2019s not rocket science to understand that Real Madrid are a completely different team without skipper <a href=\"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/tag\/sergio-ramos\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Sergio Ramos<\/a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>He may be infamous for his alleged \u2018dark arts\u2019 but there\u2019s no denying the fact that Ramos can walk into the playing XI of any team, and improve it vastly.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>On a personal level, the Spaniard enjoyed a stellar campaign, putting up a show at both ends of the pitch and would have definitely been of the contenders for the 2020 Ballon d\u2019Or.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-twitter wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Sergio Ramos has now scored 68 LaLiga goals, surpassing Ronald Koeman as the highest-scoring defender in the competition&#39;s history.<br><br>Ramos the record-breaker. \ud83d\udc4a <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ACyMXT1yRT\" target=\"_blank\">pic.twitter.com\/ACyMXT1yRT<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Squawka (@Squawka) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Squawka\/status\/1274817902718353415?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">June 21, 2020<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>Apart from his characteristically solid defensive displays, the 34-year-old chipped in with 13 goals across all competitions, with of those coming 11 of them in La Liga alone.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Real Madrid\u2019s penalty kick specialist has converted 22 spot-kicks in a row now, while also becoming the highest-scoring defender in <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/tag\/la-liga\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">La Liga<\/a><\/strong> history.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Despite the heroics of Karim Benzema in front of goal, Ramos gets our vote because of his exploits in attack as well as in defence.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">#4Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich\/Germany)<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<p>Having shattered the previous record of most assists provided in a single <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/tag\/bundesliga\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Bundesliga<\/a><\/strong> season (19), <a href=\"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/tag\/thomas-muller\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Thomas Muller<\/a>\u2019s tally of 21 lay-offs, 25 across all competitions, makes him a worthy entrant on this list of potential 2020 Ballon d\u2019Or winners.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>The German playmaker also scored 12 goals in total, eight in the league, playing a huge role in <a class=\"rank-math-link\" href=\"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/how-bayern-munich-won-8th-bundesliga-in-a-row\/\">Bayern Munich\u2019s record eighth consecutive Bundesliga<\/a> title.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"youtube-embed\" data-video_id=\"HPUxPS0Fzeg\"><iframe title=\"Thomas M\u00fcller - All Assists so far in 2019\/20 - New Record\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/HPUxPS0Fzeg?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1&#038;enablejsapi=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>Muller was the driving force, the creator-in-chief within the Bavarian juggernaut, and his exploits alongside Robert Lewandowski helped the German club to a league and a cup double, while they are favourites for the Champions League as well.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>The 30-year-old World Cup winner didn\u2019t enjoy the best of starts under former Bayern Munich head coach Niko Kovac, and at one point in time, it was being reported that Muller was considering leaving the German giants during the winter transfer window.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>However, it all changed after the appointment of Hansi Flick, who helped Muller and essentially everyone within the dressing room at the Allianz Arena to raise their game to a new level altogether.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">#3 Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus\/Portugal)<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<p>The man, the myth, the legend, <a href=\"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/category\/football\/football-players\/cristiano-ronaldo\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Cristiano Ronaldo<\/a> is ageing like fine wine, getting better with each passing day. The Portuguese forward has had a hand in half of the goals that Juventus have scored in<strong><a class=\"rank-math-link\" href=\"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/tag\/serie-a\/\"> Serie A<\/a><\/strong> so far.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Ronaldo has played 42 matches in total across all competitions this season, scoring a total of 34 goals &#8211; 30 of which have come in the league, while he also has set up seven goals for his teammates.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-instagram wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CC4Mta7JMIi\/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>The 35-year-old recently became the first player to score 50+ goals in La Liga, the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/tag\/premier-league\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Premier League<\/a><\/strong> and Serie A as well. <\/p>\n\n\n<p>Serie A&#8217;s joint-top goalscorer could have won his sixth Ballon d\u2019Or and levelled with Lionel Messi if the coveted prize was up for grabs, especially with Juventus being one of the favourites for the Champions League this season.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">#2 Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich\/Poland)<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/tag\/robert-lewandowski\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Robert Lewandowski<\/a> had a great chance of winning the Ballon d\u2019Or, having enjoyed a spectacular season so far.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>The Polish hitman played a huge role in <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/bayern-munich-10-most-expensive-signings\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Bayern Munich\u2019s<\/a><\/strong> domestic double, and judging by his own lofty standards, the 2019-20 season has been Lewandowski\u2019s best in a Bavarian shirt till date.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"youtube-embed\" data-video_id=\"rKHKqDf9qOU\"><iframe title=\"All Goals \u2022 Robert Lewandowski \u2022 Season 2019\/20\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/rKHKqDf9qOU?start=26&#038;feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>He\u2019s played 43 matches for Die Roten, amassing a tally of 51 goals across all competitions, as well as providing six assists.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Lewandowski\u2019s 34 strikers helped him win his fifth Torj\u00e4gerkanone &#8211; Bundesliga\u2019s award for most goals scored in a single season &#8211; with Lewandowski claiming the prize for the third season in a row now.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>The numbers are mind-boggling, and frankly, if Lewandowski helps Bayern Munich win the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/champions-league-analyzing-each-teams-chances\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Champions League<\/a><\/strong>, then few players will be able to stand within the same bracket as him.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">#1 Lionel Messi (Barcelona\/Argentina)<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<p>Earlier in the day, Barcelona\u2019s official twitter handle retweeted France Football\u2019s statement about the Ballon d\u2019Or 2020, along with a caption that we couldn\u2019t frankly disagree with. <\/p>\n\n\n<p>Read it for yourself:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-twitter wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">We understand. <br><br>Besides, everyone knows who the best is.<a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/u8f3i307NN\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/t.co\/u8f3i307NN<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/mqWt1hvspg\" target=\"_blank\">pic.twitter.com\/mqWt1hvspg<\/a><\/p>&mdash; FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FCBarcelona\/status\/1285195574300442624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">July 20, 2020<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>The sheer audacity of Barcelona would amuse or enrage anyone, although the Catalan giants did just state plain facts. Even by his own talismanic standards, <a href=\"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/category\/football\/football-players\/lionel-messi\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Lionel Messi<\/a> has had a stellar 2019-20 season, he\u2019s been on fire, and more so since the two-month hiatus.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>The Argentine maestro missed Barcelona\u2019s first few games of the season due to an injury, and still managed to score 25 goals in the league &#8211; 30 across all competitions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Moreover, he broke the record of most assists in a single La Liga campaign by setting up 21 goals for his teammates, just another day in the life of Lionel Messi.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Sadly for him, <a href=\"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/crisis-at-barcelona-in-recent-years\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Barca haven\u2019t been at the races this season,<\/a> but isn\u2019t that the point of this whole Ballon d\u2019Or thing? A player outperforming everyone else, breaking records for fun and carrying a team on his shoulders?<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Frankly speaking, Barcelona are just lucky that Messi is still performing at such a high level week in, week out, and we cannot imagine where the Blaugrana would be without him.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong>Honourable mentions:<\/strong> Kevin de Bruyne, Karim Benzema, Mohamed Salah, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Marc-Andre ter Stegen <\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Also Read: <a href=\"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/serie-a-fixtures-and-predictions-gameweek-35\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Serie A 2019-20: Fixtures and Predictions | Gameweek 35<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On Monday, France Football announced that they won\u2019t be giving away the Ballon d\u2019Or in 2020, owing to the fact that many leagues and competitions were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.&nbsp; For the first time since its inception in 1956, the prestigious award won\u2019t be given away, a piece of news that comes as [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":27816,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5452,28,5460,5441,16,5440,5454,5455,34,5527,5535,5524,841],"tags":[5768,4654,4707,887,4924,857,3524,4759,5415,5109],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27813"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27813"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27813\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/27816"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27813"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27813"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27813"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}