Ranking the 25 Most Likely 2014 Ballon d'Or Winners
The winner of the 2013 FIFA Ballon d'Or will be announced on Monday, with one of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo or Franck Ribery preparing to lift one of the most sought-after trophies in sport.
The trio all had outstanding years in 2013 and would surely be worthy recipients, but what about the 2014 award?
The 12 months that stretch before us will once again feature all of the great club-football spectacles that we've come to know and love, but it will, of course, be dominated by the World Cup in Brazil in the summer.
You'd suspect that whoever is holding aloft that golden ball this time next year will have to have shone on that world stage, but who is most likely to win it?
Here, we've ranked 25 contenders for the award, starting off with a couple of players who won't be in South America this summer:
**Please note that this isn't necessarily a list of the Top 25 players in the world but more a list of how likely they are to win the Ballon d'Or in this World Cup year.
25. Gareth Bale
1 of 25
Wales aren't at the World Cup, and so the planet's most expensive footballer won't be able to light up the grandest of football stages.
He's still settling into Real Madrid life well, though, and if Bale can continue to develop at the rate we've seen him do in the past couple of years, then there are sure to be plenty of special moments for him in 2014.
What he'll need to do to win it: Win the Champions League with Real, producing a standout performance in the final that will be enough to everyone to overlook his World Cup absence.
24. Robert Lewandowski
2 of 25
It's a big year for the Pole, but unfortunately for Lewandowski, it won't feature a World Cup after Poland failed to qualify.
The deadly forward will move from Borussia Dortmund to Bayern Munich in one of the most high-profile free transfers there's ever been in the summer, and whilst he won't have a high-price tag to live up to, he will have a stellar reputation to try to maintain. He shouldn't have much of a problem.
What he'll have to do to win it: Keep his focus at Dortmund despite the upcoming transfer, and score the goals that fire them towards another impressive Champions League run. Then, go to Bayern and hit the ground running.
23. Marco Reus
3 of 25
Dortmund's flying winger could be a key man for Germany at the World Cup, where European sides are going to have to rely on their strengths in the South American conditions.
Reus has been linked with a move away from the Westfalenstadion, as the team assembled by Jurgen Klopp begins to break up, and he'd certainly be an asset to any side.
What he'll need to do to win it: Continue to impress in the Champions League, shine at the World Cup and perhaps secure a move to one of Europe's big hitters.
22. Oscar
4 of 25
Chelsea's Brazilian has begun to show his qualities more regularly in the Premier League, and come the summer, he'll be a key man for the World Cup hosts.
Playing in the No. 10 role and linking up with Neymar will bring the best out of a player who has quickly become a crowd favourite at Stamford Bridge and one who appears to have the world at his talented feet.
What he'll need to do to win it: Inspire Chelsea to Premier League success and then outshine Neymar as Brazil clinch their sixth World Cup in the summer.
21. Arturo Vidal
5 of 25
The Chilean has become Juventus' main man thanks to a combination of hard work and no little talent, and he's risen to become one of the best midfielders operating in Europe today.
As a cornerstone of the expressive, expansive Chile team that will grace the World Cup, he'll certainly be a player to watch out for and, potentially, one of the stars of the tournament.
What he'll need to do to win it: Be recognised as the best player in Serie A and then inspire his country to at least the last four of the World Cup.
20. Sergio Busquets
6 of 25
The job that Busquets does for Barcelona and Spain isn't likely to win him many awards, but the manner in which he does it certainly should.
A technically excellent player, 2014 should bring more plaudits for a holding midfielder who has won plenty of people around and will be seeking to win a second World Cup winners' medal at the age of just 25.
What he'll need to do to win it: Hope that people look beyond goals and assists and appreciate his contribution to both Barcelona and Spain's success.
19. Mario Gotze
7 of 25
The attacking midfielder will turn 22 just before the World Cup, and whilst there, he could make the transition from "great young player" to just "great player."
Bayern Munich and Germany are lucky to have Gotze, who only looks like he's going higher and higher up these rankings in the years to come.
What he needs to do to win it: Make major contributions to Bayern's success, both at home and on the continent, and be recognised as one of the best attacking talents at the World Cup.
18. Radamel Falcao
8 of 25
One of the deadliest finishers in the world will have the perfect chance to show those qualities in Brazil in the summer, when his Colombia side could surprise a few people.
Blessed with ice in his veins when faced with an opportunity to score, Falcao could light up the tournament and has to be considered a very good shout for top goalscorer.
What he has to do to win it: Keep scoring for Monaco and then fire the goals which take Colombia far at the World Cup. The Golden Boot would be handy, too.
17. Dani Alves
9 of 25
Perhaps considered a little high on this list for some, Alves nonetheless has a hugely important year ahead of him as the World Cup comes to his home country.
Consistently excellent displays in the summer will ensure that he'll be one of the stars of the summer, and if he can combine this with another trophy-laden year at Barcelona, then it'll be a 2014 to remember.
What he'll need to do to win it: Be recognised as one of the leaders and inspirational figures of a Brazil side which wins the World Cup. A Carlos Alberto-style goal in the final would be nice, too.
16. Mesut Ozil
10 of 25
Arsenal's leading light has been showered with nothing but love and praise since he swapped the Bernabeu for the Emirates in the summer, and Ozil will be a crucial figure in his country's World Cup hopes, too.
With the Gunners riding high at the top of the Premier League, Ozil has a great chance to make this a golden debut campaign in England, whilst Brazil will hold promise for him, too.
What he needs to do to win it: Inspire Arsenal to the Premier League title and then impress at the World Cup as Germany reach the final.
15. Thomas Muller
11 of 25
The Golden Boot winner at the last World Cup, German international Thomas Muller is now four years older, wiser and probably better.
A consistent force at Bayern Munich, as well as with his national team, it is hard to believe that Muller is still just 24, and 2014 looks to be holding yet more promise for him.
What he'll need to do to win it: Score the goals that take Germany to World Cup glory, perhaps even hitting the winner in the final.
14. Sergio Aguero
12 of 25
Manchester City's shooting star has had bad luck with injuries recently, but when he's fit, there is little doubt that he's one of the best forwards in the Premier League.
He'll hope to star for Argentina in the summer, and if his linkup with good friend Lionel Messi goes to plan, then they'll be a strong contender for glory.
What he'll need to do to win it: Return to the City team, fire the goals that take them to Premier League glory and then do the same for Argentina in the summer.
13. Bastian Schweinsteiger
13 of 25
The metronomic heartbeat of the Bayern Munich and Germany teams is used to winning, and he'll be a key man as both outfits look to achieve their respective goals in 2014.
For Germany, that, of course, means winning the World Cup, and with a midfielder such as Schweinsteiger on their side, navigating through tournament football suddenly becomes a lot easier.
What he'll need to do to win it: Achieve yet more glory with Bayern and then dominate midfield areas across Brazil in the summer as the Germans clinch the World Cup.
12. Philipp Lahm
14 of 25
An everlasting symbol of both Bayern Munich and Germany, it is hard to believe that it's now eight years since Lahm opened the 2006 World Cup in style with a stunning goal against Costa Rica.
He's only gotten better since then, and this model of professionalism will captain the Germans in the summer, when he's got a good chance of lifting the most famous trophy in sport.
What he'll need to do to win it: Maintain his consistent excellence in both full-back positions and lead both Bayern and Germany to a hugely fruitful 2014.
11. Thiago Silva
15 of 25
A man who could become one of the symbols of the summer, Thiago Silva will be the Brazil captain at their own World Cup.
The central defender has already established himself as one of the best players on the planet in his position, and he could follow in the footsteps of Fabio Cannavaro, who won the Ballon d'Or after captaining Italy to World Cup glory in 2006.
What he'll need to do to win it: Be the defensive rock who inspires Brazil to World Cup glory, simple as that.
10. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
16 of 25
It is testament to the quality of Ibrahimovic that he's made it this high on the list despite having no World Cup to play in in the summer.
Sweden's failure to qualify has robbed us of the chance to see one of the best players in the world grace the greatest of stages, so instead he'll have to put all of his efforts into winning the Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain.
What he'll have to do to win it: Blast PSG to Champions League success, culminating in a stunning solo show which wins the final.
9. Arjen Robben
17 of 25
Bayern Munich's Champions League winner in 2013 will have the chance to repeat that trick this year, whilst he'll also be the leading light in the Dutch team as they seek World Cup glory.
Robben's lightning quick pace will come into play frequently as the Dutch seek to stretch the game in Brazil in the summer, when his counterattacking will give 2010's beaten finalists hope that they can go one better this time.
What he'll need to do to win it: Score the goals that win the Netherlands the World Cup, whilst another Champions League final winner wouldn't be bad, either.
8. Diego Costa
18 of 25
Spain's potential new recruit continues to score goals for fun in La Liga, where he is leading the scoring charts and dragging Atletico Madrid towards the top of the table.
Should he play for the land he now calls home in the summer, then he is sure to receive a rough reception from Brazilian fans, but Costa doesn't seem to let anything faze him and is likely to take everything in stride.
What he'll need to do to win it: Keep scoring, guide Atletico to an unexpected La Liga crown and then slip seamlessly into the Spanish team as if he's been there all his life.
7. Franck Ribery
19 of 25
One of the three contenders for this year's crown enjoyed a fine 2013 with Bayern Munich, but it might be more difficult for Ribery to receive nominations this year due to the sheer wealth of competition.
In addition, France don't inspire much confidence that they can go far in the World Cup, so when the latter stages come around, this gifted performer might be forced to sit on the outside looking in.
What he'll need to do to win it: Lift the Champions League again and be the inspiration behind a strong French showing in Brazil.
6. Andres Iniesta
20 of 25
The man whose winning goal clinched the 2010 World Cup for Spain will be back again in Brazil, and you wouldn't bet against him delivering for his nation for a second time.
A midfield dynamo with the ability to pass the ball through the eye of a needle, Iniesta has a second-, third- and fourth-place finish in the Ballon d'Or on his CV, so can he go one better?
What he needs to do to win it: Continue his excellent form, whilst another "Johannesburg moment" would be pretty handy, too.
5. Xavi
21 of 25
Will there be a sentimental choice?
At 33, there can't be many more major tournaments in the Barcelona pass-master's ageing legs, so a second World Cup success followed by the Ballon d'Or might be the perfect way for him to bow out of international football.
What he'll need to do to win it: The World Cup might be enough, but being at the heart of a La Liga and Champions League double with Barca wouldn't hurt, either.
4. Luis Suarez
22 of 25
A stunning ending to 2013 makes the Liverpool man a live candidate for this year's crown, and if he can keep his current form up, then he's in with a shout.
Suarez will lead Uruguay's attack in one of the World Cup's most talked about groups alongside Italy and England, and he can certainly make his mark on the tournament.
What he'll need to do to win it: Continue to score a vast amount of goals, fire Liverpool towards a high Premier League finish, guide Uruguay to at least the World Cup semi-finals and then impress in next season's Champions League, whether he's with the Reds or otherwise.
3. Neymar
23 of 25
Having established himself at Barcelona and with a World Cup in his homeland on the horizon, Neymar might never get a better chance to clinch this Golden Ball.
Four-and-a-half weeks in Brazil in the summer could produce a legend and a player recognised by everyone as one of the true greats.
What he'll need to do to win it: Simply be the talisman and inspiration behind Brazil clinching a sixth World Cup in front of their adoring home fans.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo
24 of 25
Obviously good enough to at least win one of these glittering prizes in his career, Ronaldo might ultimately be let down by his teammates in 2014.
Portugal don't strike you as potential World Cup winners, whilst Real Madrid are already lagging behind their rivals in La Liga.
What he needs to do to win it: Win the Champions League with Madrid, then dominate the World Cup and take Portugal far. Further than Argentina, perhaps.
1. Lionel Messi
25 of 25
The undisputed king of this award has to be considered as the favourite for it again, especially with a South American World Cup on the way.
Argentina are strong contenders for the crown in Brazil, and Messi could take this opportunity to establish his legend by lighting up the tournament.
What he needs to do to win it: In addition to racking up repeated scoring records at Barcelona, make this the "Messi World Cup," one that will live on through the ages.
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