The Ballon d'Or is still a long ways off from being decided, but when all is on the line, it is decisive months like this past April that determine the eventual winner.
Cristiano Ronaldo's five goals against Bayern Munich and hat-trick against Atletico, Lionel Messi's Clasico heroics, and Gianluigi Buffon's incredible saves against Monaco mean the trio are the favourites at this stage for next year's edition.
If Real Madrid repeat as Champions League winners, the award is as good as Ronaldo's.
Should the Portuguese star win it, the Confederations Cup wouldn't be as important a consideration, especially as Lionel Messi will be watching from the sidelines.
Nonetheless, if Juventus lift the European title, Gianluigi Buffon and Lionel Messi emerge as a more serious candidate as a result.
The last time a keeper won the award? Lev Yashin in 1963.
It is almost a given that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will share the podium, so the thrid spot is up for grabs between Buffon, Neymar, Luis Suarez, Gareth Bale, Eden Hazard, N'Golo Kante and the likes.
Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe are in the top 10 favourites in terms of current betting odds, although if either of their team produce an inprobable comeback, those would increase substantially and they'd surely be in the top five by the end of it all.