Liverpool v Real Madrid UCL final will be the Ballon d'Or decider between Benzema, Salah and Mane

But beyond the big ears trophy up for grabs and the bragging rights that come along with it, there is something else that could be decided on the night…the Ballon d’Or.

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema and Liverpool duo Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane are in the running for football’s most prestigious individual award.

Sadio Mane, Karim Benzema and Mohamed Salah are all Ballon d'Or contenders Pulse Nigeria

Here is how a good or bad performance on the biggest stage with the world watching on could impact their chances of winning the award.

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Benzema v Salah v Mane

As it stands Karim Benzema is a clear favourite to win the 2022 Ballon d’Or simply based on his performances this year, especially in the second half of the season.

Karim Benzema has been in fine form for Real Madrid. AFP

The 34-year old is enjoying the best season of his career so far with 44 goals and 15 assists in 45 games across all competitions.

That includes 15 goals in 11 games in this current Champions League campaign, 10 of which were scored in the knockout rounds to drag Real Madrid to the final.

Salah on the other hand has scored 31 goals and has 16 assists in 50 games across all competitions so far and recently won the Premier League Golden Boot award.

Salah holding up the Premier League golden boot award after the 3-1 win over Wolves Imago

Despite all of Salah’s heroics, many still consider his teammate, Sadio Mane as the best Liverpool player this season, despite only recording 23 goals and five assists also in 50 games.

But Mane is giving the edge because in addition to his contribution to Liverpool’s incredible season so far, he also helped Senegal win the Africa Cup of Nations.

Sadio Mane with the AFCON trophy Pulse Ghana

UCL is the ultimate Ballon d’Or decider

Last season’s Champions League campaign is a good example of how a good run of games in this tournament can help Ballon d’Or chances.

Chelsea won the 2020/21 edition and their players almost instantly started getting Ballon d’Or shouts which resulted in nominations for multiple players in the team.

Ngolo Kante and Jorginho who were never in contention until the latter stages of the Champions League ended up in the top five.

Chelsea midfield duo Jorginho and N'golo Kante both finish in the top 5 Ballon d'Or voting Imago

Such is the power of a good Champions League campaign and it could help strengthen the cases of any of the three aforementioned players if they play a memorable final.

For Benzema who is already the favourite, a masterclass tonight would all but seal the Ballon d’Or while Salah or Mane could also overtake him in projections if either of them plays well and the Frenchman doesn’t.