Ballon d'Or 2021 Power Rankings: Neymar Plummets As Champions League Finalists Climb

 

The awarding of the prize was cancelled in 2020 and the world's best players are again making their cases to claim the coveted individual honour

After being cancelled in 2020,  the Ballon d'Or is back, with the great and good of the football world again eyeing the biggest individual honour the game has to offer.

Although the prize will not be handed out until December, performances over the coming weeks will go a long way to deciding who will and won't be in contention to succeed 2019 winner Lionel Messi.

With the season heating up heading into its final month before a couple of major summer tournaments, the world's best players are beginning to come to the fore.

So, by using their performances so far, as well as predictions of what is likely still to come in 2021, who holds the most power in this year's race?

#18 Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain)

In 2021: Seven goals, five assists. Won Trophee des Champions.

Neymar may have a new four-year contract in his back pocket, but he will not have a Champions League winners' medal to go with it after being turned over by Manchester City in the semi-finals.

To make matters worse, a draw with Rennes on Sunday leaves them three points behind Lille in the Ligue 1 title race with just two games left to play.

Not even an impressive Copa America will be enough for the Brazil star to get back among the Ballon d'Or front-runners now.