5 darkhorses for the 2022 Ballon d'Or award

The Ballon d'Or is the most prestigious individual prize in football. Only the greatest players in the history of the sport have had the privilege of wrapping their hands around the Ballon d'Or trophy.

It is presented by French news magazine France Football to the best performing footballer in a single calendar year. Lionel Messi is the player with the most Ballon d'Or wins. He won the award for a record seventh time last year.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have enjoyed a duopoly over the Ballon d'Or

The eternal rivals have won 12 of the last 13 Ballon d'Or awards between them. Messi is closely followed by Cristiano Ronaldo, who has won five. Some of their generation's best players have missed out on the opportunity to win the award due to the duo's dominance.

Now that their generation is well into their 30s, it looks like it is time for the next batch of youngsters to take the world by storm.

Without further ado, let's take a look at five of the darkhorses for the 2022 Ballon d'Or award.

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#5 Pedri (Spain/Barcelona)

Pedri of FC Barcelona poses with the Golden Boy 2021 award

2021 has been a wonderful year for young Barcelona midfielder Pedri. The teenager established himself as one of the best midfielders in La Liga at the tender age of 18. He bossed proceedings in the middle of the park for the Catalans and was a rare bright spark in an otherwise underwhelming 2020-21 season.

Pedri, who turned 19 in November, then went onto become one of the stars of Euro 2020. He was named the Best Young Player of the Tournament. He has all the qualities that can help him become one of the best central midfielders in the world.

Pedri has already been likened to Barcelona legends like Xavi and Andres Iniesta. The youngster had quite a grueling 2021 where fixtures came thick and fast. Pedri has now recovered from a muscle injury and a bout with the coronavirus.

He could really take his game up a notch this year and hopefully turn in a handful of wonderful performances at the 2022 FIFA World Cup as well. He won the Golden Boy Award in 2021 and is the brightest young midfield prospect in the world right now.

#4 Neymar Jr. (Brazil/Paris Saint-Germain)

Manchester City v Paris Saint-Germain: Group A - UEFA Champions League

Neymar Jr. has endured a rocky start to the 2021-22 season. The Brazilian has not been at his best and is currently sidelined with an ankle injury. In 14 appearances across all competitions for Paris Saint-Germain, Neymar has scored just three goals and provided three assists.

Those numbers are quite low by his own lofty standards. But it looks like Neymar will return in time for the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League against Real Madrid. He usually springs to life for the big occasion. PSG are among the favorites to win the Champions League this term.

If he can inspire PSG to the title and secure the Ligue 1 title as well, Neymar Jr. could win his first Ballon d'Or by firing on all cylinders at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

#3 Dusan Vlahovic (Serbia/Fiorentina)

SSC Napoli v ACF Fiorentina - Coppa Italia

Serbia have pulled off a major upset by finishing atop their 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifying group and condemning Portugal to the playoffs. Crucial to their exploits is young striker Dusan Vlahovic, who scored four goals in eight appearances in the qualifiers.

Vlahovic was absolutely sensational for Fiorentina in 2021. He equalled Cristiano Ronaldo's record for most goals scored in Serie A in a single calendar year (33). The 21-year-old is currently being monitored by several European giants and is likely to leave Fiorentina in the summer.

Vlahovic has scored 19 goals and provided three assists in 23 appearances across all competitions for the Serie A outfit this term. He is a well-rounded striker already and is a menacing presence in the final third. If he can keep his goalscoring rate up, sky is the limit for Serb.

#2 Thomas Muller (Germany/Bayern Munich)

FC Bayern München v VfL Wolfsburg - Bundesliga

Thomas Muller is 32-years-old now but he seems to be going from strength to strength. The world's best second striker has proven to be a handful to deal with in the attacking realms alongside Robert Lewandowski for Bayern Munich.

Muller is one of the most intelligent footballers on the planet. He understands space and ways to manipulate it better than most forwards on the planet. The German international is constantly on the move, either running into space or opening it up for a teammate.

Muller is currently the assist king of Europe. He has scored eight goals and has already provided 18 assists in 27 appearances across all competitions for Bayern Munich this term. Bayern Munich have looked dominant in the Champions League and are one of the favorites to go on and win it.

If Muller can kick on in the same vein, he'll definitely be a top contender for the Ballon d'Or award in 2022.

#1 Vinicius Jr. (Brazil/Real Madrid)

FC Barcelona v Real Madrid CF - La Liga Santander

Who has been the most improved player in the 2021-22 season? The answer is easy. Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr.

In the 2020-21 season, Vinicius Jr. scored six goals and provided seven assists in 49 appearances across all competitions. In 27 appearances across all competitions for Real Madrid in the 2021-22 season so far, he has already scored 15 goals and provided nine assists.

The Brazilian international has simply been unstoppable this season. He is one of the best dribblers in the world and his finishing has improved massively this term. Karim Benzema and Vinicius are the deadliest attacking duo in the world of football right now.

For long there have been doubts as to whether or not Vinicius might be able to double down on his strengths and maximize his potential. His performances this season are a testament to the fact that he can.

He has been so good this season that he can't, for much longer, even be considered a darkhorse in the race for the Ballon d'Or award. Vinicius might just become the favorite pretty soon.