Messi, Ronaldo, Salah: Who will win the 2022 Ballon d'Or?

The 2022 Ballon d’Or will be a unique affair.

While it might seem as though it’s only been two seconds since Lionel Messi triumphed at the 2021 ceremony, the new rule changes mean that the latest edition could be judged sooner than ever.

As confirmed by the BBC, France Football announced earlier this month that the Ballon d’Or will now be based on performances across a season as opposed to the calendar year, as had been tradition.

According to Goal, the rule change was clarified with the following explanation: “The next edition will therefore take into account the entire 2021-22 season which will end with the Women’s Euro (July 6-31, 2022).

“The World Cup in Qatar (November 21-December 18, 2022) will, however, be included in the 2023 Ballon d’Or edition.”

In other words, while another round of the Ballon d’Or might seem a million miles away, the new rules mean that all the data on which the prize-giving will be based should be wrapped up in just a few months.

Sure, there are still major trophies to be handed out between now and France Football’s cut-off point for Ballon d’Or consideration, but we’re still essentially 80% of the way through the time period that will inform the winner.

As such, we thought that it only made sense to touch base with who the leading contenders are to lift the famous golden football with Mohamed Salah having already lost his grip on his position as favourite.

While the Liverpool star was leading the race on the back of the Africa Cup of Nations final, despite suffering defeat to Senegal, he’s now only second in the race to be crowned the world’s best male player.

But who gets the better of him? Well, be sure to find out by perusing the 24 most fancied players in Paddy Power’s current odds for