Sport
Who will win the Ballon d’Or in the future?
In July, France Football decided that there will be no Ballon d’Or winner this year. Instead of the individual prize, there would only be a ‘best XI of the 2019-20 season’. It was particularly bad news for Robert Lewandowski who was hoping to follos former winners Cristiano Ronaldo (5) and Lionel Messi (6) into the history books. With all three players now in their 30s and approaching the end of their careers, which players will be the future of the Ballon d’Or ceremony?
8 possible Ballon d’Or winners in the future
Kylian Mbappé – 21
Though the youngster was the only outsider to win the Ballon d’Or in 2020, the odds that Mbappé will win the Ballon d’Or in the future are quite high. Only 21 years old, Mbappé is currently the most valuable player in the world and one of the most searched after players in the world. According to Transfermarkt, the striker is worth £162.00m currently, almost 50 million more than second in line, Raheem Sterling.
Matthijs de Ligt – 21
Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt was named as the winner of the 2019 Kopa Trophy at the 2019 Ballon d’Or ceremony. The Kopa Trophy is an award organized by France Football presented to the best performing player under the age of 21. De Ligt is only the second football player to win the new trophy, inheriting it from France and Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe the previous year. The Dutch international is one of the best young defenders in Europe and definitely a contender to win the Ballon d’Or one day.
Frenkie de Jong – 23
The Dutch youngster was acquired by Barcelona for £76.50m in 2019 and is considered the future playmaker at the Blaugrana. The former Ajax player is often compared to Franz Beckenbauer with a ‘touch of Johan Cruyff’ and many believe he has the profile needed by Barcelona to move towards a new generation of trophy winners. Will he be the first Dutchman to win the Ballon d’Or since Marco van Basten won it in 1992?
Jadon Sancho – 20
The young right-winger has excelled in Germany ever since his transfer from Manchester City to Dortmund. Though the English international was linked with a move to Man United over the summer, the 20-year-old decided to sign a new contract with BVB. Sancho is, however, expected to take on a new challenge in the near future, likely returning to the Premier League. Jadon Sancho AKA the Mighty Mouse is one of the most coveted young players in football and a potential future Ballon d’Or winner.
Erling Braut Haaland – 20
It seems inevitable that the Norwegian striker will one day win the Ballon d’Or. Erling Haaland moved from RB Salzburg to Dortmund in January 2019 and became the first-ever teenager to score 40 or more goals in a single season, something not even Messi or Ronaldo have managed to do. Based on the promise he is showing right now, he will likely win the Ballon d’Or in his career. Together with PSG’s Mbappé, Erling Braut Haaland is regarded as one of the best young football players in the world.
Rodrygo – 19
Following a £36.00m transfer from Santos in summer 2019, Rodrygo has struggled to impress but is gradually starting to show his talent. Rodrygo is an incredible footballing talent and has a real chance of winning the Ballon d’Or if he can keep on growing at Real Madrid as the future looks bright for the young Brazilian. Undoubtedly, the Real Madrid player has the potential to be a future Ballon d’Or winner in a couple of years.
Vinicius Junior – 20
Just as Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior came to Real Madrid directly from Brazil, though one year earlier than his fellow countryman. Only 20 years old, the Brazilian is considered the future of Real Madrid’s attack. The one-time Brazil international has the potential to become one of the best players in the world and win the Ballon d’Or in the coming decade.
Jeremy Doku – 18
Jérémy Doku turned out to be one of the revelations at RSC Anderlecht at the start of this season and was acquired by Stade Rennes a few days after the young dribbler turned 18. The Belgian player of Ghanaian descent is known for his dribbles, explosiveness and flexibility in attack and, he is often compared with Liverpool player Sadio Mané. The winger already scored his first goal for the Belgian national team and seems to have the potential to become the ideal replacement for Eden Hazard in the future.
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