It's quite possible that we'll be witnessing a really tense battle between Leo Messi, N'Golo Kante and perhaps Harry Kane for the cherished Ballon d'Or prize in December 2021.
If Argentine team wins Copa America, will that put Messi ahead of Kante and Mbappe, who are already out of Euro 2020?
Given the number of changes the Ballon d'Or format has seen over the years, let us remind you about how exactly the winner is selected.
1. France Football's editorial team create a 30-man shortlist based on the player's performances throughout the calendar year.
2. A jury of sports journalists from around the globe is asked to cast their votes, selecting the 5 best players in descending order.
3 main criteria taken into account by the jury :
- Individual and team performances
- Fair play and talent
- Overall evaluation of the player's career
3. Number one choices from each of the journalists are given 6 points. For the subsequent picks, 4, 3, 2 and 1 point is given.
4. The points are calculated and the best 30 players are ranked. In the event of a tie, the player with the most top-pick votes is declared the winner.
5. The award is awarded to the winning footballer at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris during the month of December.
