Ballon d'Or: Down to 23

The Ballon d'Or has been whittled down to the final 23 and to be honest it is obvious who will be right at the top. Well, the top two anyway. However, looking throughout the remaining 21 it is genuinely difficult to separate them. I have put how I would order them and a short explanation as to why. 

While the Ballon d'Or is supposed to be based on a calendar year, I think that performances in world cups and seasons previous actually has an impact and have considered them in my selection. 

23. Gareth Bale

Not the best season for Gareth Bale, in fact he could consider himself lucky to be included. His stats were okay for Real Madrid despite injury but below what is expected. He would have been far higher last year. His performances for Wales keep him in contention. 

22. Arturo Vidal

A bit of a marmite player. He is playing well for Bayern and played a huge part in Juventus' season. A top player but while he is known for his work rate, he lacks a level of quality that I think players, that I have placed above him, possess. 

21. Javier Mascherano

Always hard for defenders to make it into these lists. A great world cup and a great season for Barcelona, the Argentinian lacks flare but makes up for it with determination and success. 

20. Karim Benzema

Would like to place Benzema higher but he plays second fiddle to many players at Real Madrid and while he is a top striker it has to be said he will always be considered just a shade below.

19. Yaya Toure

Not the best season again and has recently he has been complaining he is underrated. Too an extent I think he is right. He is definitely in the top 20 best players in the world. When he is on top form he is as good as anyone. Would have been higher last year. 

18. Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Continually he proves he is a top player but as he continues to age, you question whether he really challenges the elite. 

17. Andres Iniesta

Similar to Ibrahimovic, still a class above but slowly moving out from the very top.

16. Toni Kroos

World cup winner and current heartbeat of Real Madrid. Would be higher if Real Madrid won everything but there is no doubting his quality.

15. Kevin De Bruyne

Could be higher to be honest. An amazing season for De Bruyne, fantastic at the world cup, huge season at Wolfsburg and one of the most expensive players in the world. He is now really looking the part. Maybe hasn't done it for long enough to constitute a top, top place. Expect him to be far higher next year.

14. Paul Pogba

The hottest property in Europe, a tall strong player who is technically gifted is hard to find. He really does have the potential to move up these rankings in the future. 

13. Ivan Rakitic

Underrated with in the Barcelona team. He can pick a 50 yard pass like it's a 10 yard pass and has scored vital goals for Barcelona. A real work horse too, he makes the players around him look better. 

12. Arjen Robben

Still a top, top player Robben. Hampered by injuries as age plays more of a factor but there is no denying his quality when he is on form. The injuries haven't done enough to move him too far way from the top just yet.

11. Alexis Sanchez

Arsenal's best player. Won the Copa America with Chile. He is insatiable and can't do much more to penetrate the top 10.

10. Eden Hazard

His last season for Chelsea can't be overlooked. His form now could effect where he ends up but, as I have mentioned in previous articles, his chance creation is second to none and Messi is arguably the only player who can rival him for his close touch dribbling ability. 

9. Thomas Mueller

The consistent German. There is definitely a case to suggest Mueller is the best player in the world. Solid, reliable and dependable, he arguably doesn't have the talent of some others and yet still manages to out perform them. He will likely be the World Cup top scorer one day and win more trophies than most.

8. Sergio Aguero

26 goals last season. 6 already this season. If he wasn't injured so often Aguero could have been a player to really push Ronaldo and Messi for the title.

7. Neymar

Many believe that he will be the next best player in the world. I think he is undoubtedly one of the best in the world but needs to cut out his play acting and up the amount of assists he provides.

6. James Rodriguez

A rogue choice that I know many will disagree with. I do, however, feel that James is massively underrated and am aware he is unlikely to finish so high up with his latest injury. He scores goals that only he can score. His volleying is like nothing anyone has ever seen, and some of his passes defy belief. I think this guy is one of the best already, people just haven't realised it yet.

5. Robert Lewandowski

The man in form right now. If he continues this for the next 3 months he could well win it. Ronaldo and Messi levels of scoring going on. 

4. Manuel Neuer

He hasn't done too much this year, however, a world cup winner and still considered the best goalkeeper in the world. He is the Messi and Ronaldo of the goalkeeping world.

3. Luis Suarez

A revelation at Barcelona, he has delivered for them and then some. He completed the treble and proved that he really is as good as he looked for Liverpool. In my opinion probably the cleverest player in the list. You get the sense that everything he does is pre-meditated and that he sees the picture unfold, from a strikers point of view, just a little earlier than everyone else. 

2. Cristiano Ronaldo

He will challenge Messi for this. He is the current holder and is breaking records left right and centre. If he can really buckle down and score some serious goals while Messi is injured, he may be able to work his way back into contention. While Suarez anticipates better, no one has the determination Ronaldo does to get involved in an attack.

1. Lionel Messi

It has to go to Lionel Messi though. Despite the injury, he won the treble this year and reminded everyone what he is capable of. He does need the team around him, however, with the best players in the world around him, he is still the number 1 and has very much proved that over the last year.

Notable Omissions

David Silva

I think he has done enough this year to be included. Injuries are a problem but his talent is unquestionable. 

Gerard Pique

Surprised to see Masherano over Pique. An example of the World cup playing a factor in my opinion. 

David De Gea

Can't do much more to be involved except play for a winning team. Will it be for United or Madrid in the future? Who knows?

Andrea Pirlo

Probably omitted because of the second half of the year but the veteran was great for Juventus last season and deserves a mention. 

Xabi Alonso

I am personally not Alonso's biggest fan. I like him but there are people out there who really believe he is top notch. This mention is more for them. 

Any others that you think I have missed. Let me know in the comments below.

This is my list and it was extremely difficult to pick and I by no means consider myself right, it's a matter of opinion. What do you think?