Ballon d’Or 2022 Power Rankings: Benzema, Salah or Mane – will the Champions League final decide the winner?

Last time: 20th

In 2021-22: 36 goals, nine assists.

Haaland likely has just one more match in a Dortmund shirt to come before he leaves Signal Iduna Park so expect him to try and go out with a bang this coming weekend.

Last time: 19th

In 2021-22: 34 goals, 10 assists.

Though he did not add to his own goal or assist tallies against Liverpool, Kane played his part in Tottenham’s crucial goal at Anfield on Saturday, as the England captain again showcased his creative capabilities.

Last time: NEW ENTRY

In 2021-22: 25 goals, nine assists.

Son is back in the top 20 after forcing himself into the Premier League Golden Boot race in recent weeks, and if his goals fire Tottenham back into the Champions League, then he has a real shot at making the shortlist.

Last time: 14th

In 2021-22: 29 goals, 12 assists.

Mahrez looked set to be Man City’s hero at Santiago Bernabeu when he curled a shot past Thibaut Courtois with 17 minutes left on the clock, only for Real Madrid to launch their incredible comeback in the final moments.

Last time: 13th

In 2021-22: 34 goals, 20 assists.

There will be no European final for Nkunku to catch the eye of Ballon d’Or voters in after Leipzig came up short in their Europa League semi-final against Rangers.

The France winger did, however, add four more goals to his season’s tally over the past seven days, and could still end the campaign with a DFB-Pokal winner’s medal.

Last time: 15th

In 2021-22: Four goals, one assist, 31 clean sheets. Won Carabao Cup.

Van Dijk has now reached the Champions League final on three occasions in the past five years, which when put in the context of him missing almost a full year with a serious knee injury just speaks to the impact he has on this Liverpool team.

Last time: NEW ENTRY

In 2021-22: 20 clean sheets. Won La Liga & Supercopa de Espana.

While he may not garner the same attention as his team-mates at the other end of the pitch, Courtois has been key to Madrid reaching the Champions League final, as well as their dominance in La Liga.

In the European knockout stages alone he has saved a penalty from Lionel Messi in the last 16, pulled off a string of stunning stops in both legs against Chelsea, and got just enough toe on Jack Grealish’s shot to edge it around the post just before Los Blancos launched their incredible comeback against Man City.

Last time: 18th

In 2021-22: 23 goals, nine assists. Won Carabao Cup.

Diaz’s January move to Liverpool was already a major success before this past week, but yet again the Colombia international took his performance level to greater heights still.

His Man-of-the-Match-winning display off the bench in Villarreal was truly game-changing, while it was he who forced the Reds’ equaliser against Tottenham.

Last time: 12th

In 2021-22: Two goals, four assists. Won Carabao Cup.

Thiago had one of his worst halves of the season in the opening 45 minutes against Villarreal, but he – like his Liverpool team-mates – recovered after the break as he returned to pulling the strings in the Reds’ midfield.

Last time: 11th

In 2021-22: 13 goals, nine assists.

Man City’s outstanding performer against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, Bernardo’s display deserved a place in the Champions League final.

Instead, it seems likely that he will at least have another Premier League winner’s medal to console himself with.

Last time: 10th

In 2021-22: Two goals, 22 assists, 23 clean sheets. Won Carabao Cup.

Alexander-Arnold was back on the assist trail against Villarreal as his cross set up Luis Diaz for what proved to be the goal that broke the Yellow Submarine’s resistance in Spain.

Last time: 9th

In 2021-22: 14 goals, 15 assists.

Foden cut a forlorn figure in Madrid after playing the full 120 minutes of Man City’s agonising Champions League semi-final defeat, but he was in better spirits on Sunday as he came off the bench and both scored and helped set up late goals for Pep Guardiola’s side in their win over Newcastle.

Last time: 6th

In 2021-22: 16 goals, 17 assists.

De Bruyne was criticised for his performance in Madrid that saw him substituted with 20 minutes of normal time still to play, though he bounced back with a dominant midfield showing against Newcastle as City close in on another Premier League title.

Last time: 7th

In 2021-22: Six goals, 11 assists. Won La Liga & Supercopa de Espana.

Modric was among the star names who were withdrawn during the closing stages of Madrid’s dramatic Champions League semi-final win, as Carlo Ancelotti trusted his young guns to turn the tie around.

That should not, though, dampen expectations around Modric heading into the final considering the level of his performances over the course of the campaign.

Last time: 8th

In 2021-22: 18 goals, 18 assists. Won La Liga & Supercopa de Espana.

Though it was his fellow Brazilian winger, Rodrygo, that took the headlines as Madrid beat Man City in the Champions League, Vinicius was again a thorn in the side of the Premier League champions’ defence.

His influence only grew as time wore on at Santiago Bernabeu, and his battle with Trent Alexander-Arnold promises to be crucial as to the outcome of the final in Paris.

Last time: 4th

In 2021-22: 44 goals, 29 assists. Won Ligue 1 & UEFA Nations League.

Mbappe continues to add to his outrageous goal involvement numbers as PSG’s season winds down in France – the question now is whether he will be leaving his homeland this summer.

Last time: 3rd

In 2021-22: 55 goals, 11 assists. Won Bundesliga & DFL-Supercup.

After being on track for much of the campaign, a slow finish to the season for Lewandowski means he is set to miss out on breaking his own record for the most goals in a single Bundesliga season, with the focus around the Poland star now on whether he will sign a new contract at the Allianz Arena.

Last time: 5th

In 2021-22: 27 goals, five assists. Won Africa Cup of Nations & Carabao Cup.

The campaign backing Mane to contend for the Ballon d’Or in 2022 is gathering momentum, with the Senegal star netting the winning goal on the night against Villarreal as Liverpool progressed to the Champions League final.

France Football have been keen to remove the emphasis on trophies won to their voters, but if Mane backs up his Africa Cup of Nations success with three or four club trophies, can he be denied the ultimate individual honour?

Last time: 2nd

In 2021-22: 32 goals, 19 assists. Won Carabao Cup.

The newly crowned FWA Footballer of the Year is not producing the same match-winning displays that he was in the first half of the season, but as the Ballon d’Or moves to being a season-long prize, it must be hoped that those displays by the Egyptian are remembered, particularly if other Liverpool players step up in their upcoming cup finals.

Last time: 1st

In 2021-22: 46 goals, 14 assists. Won La Liga, UEFA Nations League & Supercopa de Espana.

Even if the headlines went to some of his team-mates, it was still Benzema that scored the winning goal for Real Madrid in their Champions League semi-final victory over Man City.

The France striker also provided an assist for Rodrygo on the night, and it now seems nailed on that he will claim football’s ultimate individual honour, even if Los Blancos do come up short in Paris.