Ballon d'Or: 20 Candidates to Be Crowned World's Best for 2016
So that's that, then. Lionel Messi was the best footballer in the world in 2015 and now he's got his fifth Ballon d'Or to prove it.
In truth, we'd known for a while that Barcelona's Argentinian ace was going to take home the title from the Zurich ceremony, but that didn't make his crowning any less glorious. He remains the master of all that he surveys, but for how much longer?
With so many talented stars in world football today—and with the Euro 2016 finals sure to have an impact—who will be holding that famous trophy a year from now?
It's likely to be one of these 20 men.
Lionel Messi
1 of 20
We'll start with the King himself then, shall we?
Messi's five Ballons d'Or are two more than anyone else has ever won, and right now, you wouldn't bet against him making it a collection of six this time next year.
Helped out by his fellow forwards in a manner that even he hasn't experienced before, the Argentinian's game has improved even more as he's started to create more opportunities rather than just ruthlessly score them, even though he often does that too.
Cristiano Ronaldo
2 of 20
We've done one, so here's the other.
Like Messi, it would be a shock not to see Cristiano Ronaldo on the podium in a year's time, even though doubts remain about his club future.
The Portuguese will turn 31 next month, and despite getting his wish and seeing Rafael Benitez leave the club, he might feel this is his last chance to earn one more mega-money transfer that his talents would clearly command, as reported in the Telegraph.
Robert Lewandowski
3 of 20
As lethal a finisher as you could wish to find anywhere in the world, Poland's Robert Lewandowski has been putting defences to the sword for some time now.
With another Bundesliga title for Bayern Munich seemingly on the way as well as Euro 2016 to play for, the forward is one of the leading contenders from Europe to take the prize next year.
It's debatable if there is a better finisher in one-on-one situations in world football, and if Bayern are to go far in the Champions League in 2016, then it is extremely likely that Lewandowski would have been a driving force behind them.
Paul Pogba
4 of 20
With the European Championships being held in France, the hosts are going to need a poster boy. Step forward Paul Pogba.
The Juventus powerhouse possesses everything that you would want a modern-day midfielder to have, including a great shot, a terrific engine and wonderful passing ability.
Doubts might remain over whether or not he'll still be playing in Serie A come the start of the 2016/17 season, but after helping Juve correct their horrendous early-season form, then he could well be securing another Italian title in May.
Thomas Muller
5 of 20
As they so often tend to do, Germany could easily put together a run and go deep into Euro 2016. If they are to do that, then the world champions are going to have Thomas Muller scoring their goals.
A player whose movement and athleticism gets him fantastic results, Muller isn't the most skilful and isn't going to wow you with a trick, but he is going to consistently produce at both club and international level.
With Bayern Munich determined to taste Champions League glory in Pep Guardiola's final season with the club, Muller is going to be crucial for them—he remains a player worth extreme admiration.
Sergio Aguero
6 of 20
Surely the very best forward in the Premier League, Manchester City's Sergio Aguero combines pace, power, athleticism and a ruthless eye for goal to make him one of the standout performers in any of the major European leagues.
Frustratingly injury-prone, there remains a belief that he will eventually establish himself right at the very summit of the world game as one of the great strikers of the modern era, with Pep Guardiola's likely arrival at City in 2016 perhaps proving the catalyst for that.
As always, it'll be fun watching him try.
Eden Hazard
7 of 20
He had an horrendous second half of 2015, but it shouldn't be forgotten that Eden Hazard was by far and away the best player in the Premier League in 2014/15, spearheading Chelsea's assault on the league title with great success.
The Belgian will hope to get back to being the player we all know he can be in the latter half of the current campaign, chiefly so he can play his way back into form in time for the Euro 2016 finals, where he'll be the chief talent in a star-studded Belgium squad.
Hazard is capable of great things. He just needs to remember how to achieve them.
Antoine Griezmann
8 of 20
An outside choice surely, but the form that Antoine Griezmann is currently demonstrating for La Liga table-toppers Atletico Madrid makes him at least the equal of any player in Europe right now.
The French forward also has Euro 2016 to look forward to, and with Karim Benzema's suspension hanging over the France squad, Griezmann could take his place as the premier goal-getter in a side who will be under pressure from the home crowd to go far.
Whether or not Griezmann stays at Atletico this summer or moves on to one of the more "traditional" big names remains to be seen, too, but it is just a joy to watch him play right now.
Alexis Sanchez
9 of 20
It's not just the Euros taking place this year, but the Copa America, too. And the man who delivered last year's title for Chile will be under pressure to deliver for his country again in what is the centennial competition and the first to be held outside of South America.
Alexis Sanchez will be a key figure in the United States, and he could be heading there having helped Arsenal to a first Premier League title in 12 years if things go to plan for Arsene Wenger's side.
Quick, dynamic and able to change the course of a game in the blink of an eye, Sanchez is a terrific player and one both Arsenal and Chile fans idolise.
Andres Iniesta
10 of 20
Now the experienced, wiser, older head in both the Barcelona and Spain midfields following the departure of the maestro Xavi, Andres Iniesta is still able to read a game like few others and continues to play it at his own pace.
If Barca are to run away with the Primera Division title and if Spain are to recover from their disastrous World Cup to have a good Euro 2016, then you know Iniesta will be at the heart of it, dictating play, getting it, giving it, and generally enjoying himself.
As we do watching him.
Manuel Neuer
11 of 20
Goalkeepers generally get overlooked for awards such as the Ballon d'Or, but Manuel Neuer managed to become only the third stopper to finish in the top three since Lev Yashin won it in 1963 when he finished behind Ronaldo and Messi in 2014.
With Germany ready to embark on another tilt at a tournament title and Bayern Munich obviously going strong in their attempts to win both the Bundesliga and the Champions League, Neuer remains as reliable a last line of defence as you are going to find anywhere, with his ability to read games from the back and pull off stunning saves marking him out as a remarkable talent.
If a keeper is to figure in the Ballon d'Or running again, it is likely to be him.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
12 of 20
Could 2016 be the last chance for Zlatan Ibrahimovic to earn the respect that he surely feels he deserves?
It could certainly be the Swede's last season at Paris Saint-German, where his contract runs out in the summer; and with his side having pretty much sewn up the Ligue 1 title already, he'll be eyeing up a real tilt at Champions League glory, with a two-legged tie against Chelsea to come in the last 16.
A good Euro 2016 tournament with Sweden could then further his case, and can you imagine the party if he won it?
Kevin De Bruyne
13 of 20
The move back to the Premier League with Manchester City has allowed Kevin De Bruyne to show English audiences just how much he has improved from his time as a youngster with Chelsea.
With a title challenge and Euro 2016 to come, we could be about to see the best year of the midfielder's career.
The most expensive player currently plying his trade in England (in terms of a single transfer fee), De Bruyne is one of those players who is just annoyingly good at everything.
He could yet prove to be the driving force behind tilts at trophies for both club and country in 2016, something which would ensure a pretty lofty placing in the Ballon d'Or vote.
James Rodriguez
14 of 20
One of the Real Madrid players who wouldn't have been too disappointed to see the back of former manager Rafael Benitez is James Rodriguez, who will now be targeting a strong 2016 including an impressive Copa America.
The Colombian ace came alive in his nation's shirt at the World Cup in 2014, winning the Golden Boot and earning his move to Real, and so another impressive year for club and country could see him come into Ballon d'Or contention.
Mesut Ozil
15 of 20
If he carries on this form, then there is every chance that Mesut Ozil could end the current Premier League season as the best player of it. And if those displays then translate to Euro 2016, he'd have every right to come into Ballon d'Or contention.
The Germany international has found a greater consistency in 2015/16 and can no longer be accused of going missing in matches.
He is always available when Arsenal go on the attack and is the creative hub of Arsene Wenger's side.
Oh, and did we mention the assists?
Luka Modric
16 of 20
Thought highly enough of by his peers to be voted into the FIFA Team of the Year for 2015 at the Ballon d'Or ceremony in Zurich this week, Croatia's Luka Modric might not generate enough headlines to make a sustained run at the main prize but there is no doubting his quality.
A good Euro 2016 with a Croatia side who possess the tools to go a long way in France could solidify Modric's class in the eyes of many.
He is already established as a key member of Real Madrid's squad and looks to have an important role to play under new boss Zinedine Zidane.
Karim Benzema
17 of 20
Imagine, for a moment, that Karim Benzema is ultimately cleared of the blackmail scandal which is currently engulfing French football and is returned to his national side before the Euro 2016 finals. Then would he have a chance to win the Ballon d'Or?
Leading the line for the host nation off the back of second half of a campaign playing under the stewardship of French idol Zinedine Zidane would give him a decent shot at it.
After finishing in the top 10 of the forwards category for the 2015 Team of the Year, he'll be in good spirits.
Gareth Bale
18 of 20
If Gareth Bale was supposed to be unhappy about the dismissal of Rafael Benitez at the Santiago Bernabeu, then he had an interesting way of showing it.
The Welshman struck a hat-trick in Zinedine Zidane's first game in charge to take his current form to 10 goals in his last seven games.
With 2016 also the year in which he'll be able to display his talents in a major international tournament for the first time, a shot at the Ballon d'Or is certainly possible.
Wales will hope to get out of their group in France, and anything is possible with Bale on their side.
Luis Suarez
19 of 20
If there was room for a fourth spot on the Ballon d'Or podium for 2015, then Luis Suarez would undoubtedly have been the man up on stage.
The Uruguayan remains—perhaps harshly—underrated because of the other attacking talents in world football, but his remarkable recent form of 26 goals in 28 appearances this season suggests a man who is at the top of the world game.
The Barcelona forward has seen his performances improve even further since he moved to the Camp Nou in 2014, so much so that the sky could be the limit this year.
Neymar
20 of 20
We'll end with another of the more likely recipients, although whether Barcelona's Neymar can outshine his teammate Messi in 2016 remains to be seen.
Perhaps a lot will depend on how the Copa America goes for both men, with Neymar looking to improve on recent major tournament disappointment such as his injury in the 2014 World Cup and red card in last year's Copa America.
His 15 La Liga goals this season have showcased a remarkable talent, though, and a player who could be set to dominate the Ballon d'Or voting when Messi and Ronaldo finally start showing signs of wear and tear.
