I think we all know the answer to this one. He has basically been scoring a goal per game.

He will be 39 years old- to give some context 2 years older than James Milner.

Portugal looks poised to have a good Euro so think Ronaldo will have a good one as well but don’t we should expect too much.

If we are using 2023 standards, Griezman because he won the World Cup.

In reality, Madrid deserved it. We have to stop using goals or assists as the metric otherwise only forwards will ever be able to win the award. Modric won the EUFA player of the Year which actually uses coaches votes so a bit less bias.

Internationally- he won the Golden ball of the World Cup and took his team to the finals.

At club level- Won the minor trophies of Supercopa, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Championship. Of course won the third consecutive Champions League Trophy.

The issue comes from so many people justifying Messi winning Balon D’Or in the past by exactly these achievements you mentioned.

He scored 90 goals in a season.

Messi won a treble

Messi won the Copa America

Messi won the World Cup

It feels like every achievement he has needs to be celebrated by a Balon D’Or. we already have him the international trophy one. This one is bad but if you want to argue they always go to World Cup winners look at 2010 which in my opinion was worse.

Xavi won the World Cup, treble and was captain yet still beat by Messi.

Journalist are going to vote for who they want to vote but should really come up with a scoring system otherwise it’s all subjective.

Depends on how you see these rules but think they are in place to make sure clubs don’t spend too much money and ruin their clubs.

Look at Barcelona.