Winning the Ballon d’Or award is undoubtedly and inarguably the pinnacle of any individual footballer’s career; recognition as the very best player on the planet, as voted by the most respected voices in football.
In 2021 it is likely that we will have a new winner as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s unprecedented stranglehold on the prize continues to slip – just as there was in 2018 when Luka Modric took the honor, deservedly.
But with the post-Ronaldo and Messi era drawing nearer, who will be the future winners or the Ballon d’Or?
Most definitely, there are a host of names at the peaks of their careers who will be vying to claim the prize in the not-too-distant future, but it is not clear who will emerge as the world’s very best player over the next decade.
Here are 10 players, in no particular order that could rise to the most coveted individual prize in football.
1. Jude Bellingham
An England midfielder who has been rated highly and compared to Enland legends, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard.
At international level Bellingham is the midfield’s great home, and alongside another name on this list he will be dominating the middle of the park for England for a long time.
While Lampard and Gerrard never received the individual honour – although Lampard came so close, Bellingham has an outside chance if he can hit the heights at club level.
2. Federico Chiesa
Federico Chiesa. | PHOTO: Chris Ricco/GettyImages |
One of the more senior names on this list, Federico Chiesa has everything to succeed in football.
The prolific Juventus and Italy winger already has a Euro 2020 crown to his name, and the level of consistency he displays means he will doubtless challenge for the individual honours.
Pace, wonderful footwork and devastating finishing ability – Chiesa is set for the top.
3. Ansu Fati
Barcelona winger Ansu Fati. | PHOTO: Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/GettyImages |
There is no doubting his talent, but the biggest threat to Ansu Fati’s success is his own body, with injuries already nagging him.
If the Spain international can stay fit and avoid the niggling knee issues that have plagued the early years of his career, the sky is the limit.
He will hope he can emulate the previous incumbent of Barcelona’s famed no.10 shirt, Lionel Messi.
4. Phil Foden
Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden. | PHOTO: Getty Images |
Foden is Bellingham’s midfield partner-in-crime-to-be for England. The kind of technical midfield player who we rarely see reach the top of the game on English shores, Phil Foden has gotwhat it takes.
Already a star player in a Man City side that will always challenge for honours, and a soon to be a guaranteed starter in a promising Three Lions squad, it is a matter of wait and see where he will reach.
5. Mason Greenwood
Manchester United star Mason Greenwood. | PHOTO: Alex Pantling/GettyImages |
At his young age, Greenwood is already a prolific goal scorer.
Although Mason Greenwood’s international career has been closely managed so far, the young striker already has a load of goals to his name at club level
Once he’s part of the England setup and if Manchester United can restore themselves to the upper helm of European football, he stands a decent chance.
6. Kai Havertz
Chelsea forward Kai Havertz. | PHOTO: Chloe Knott – Danehouse/GettyImages |
Kai Havertz’s potential is there for all to see, but he has work to do to fulfil it.
That’s not to say he won’t have the patience of his club, though, where he is already etched into the history books as the winning goalscorer in the Champions League final in 2021.
It feels as though he is simmering away, showing his ability in flashes at Chelsea. Once he finds some consistency he can be unstoppable.
7. Eduardo Camavinga
France and Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga. | PHOTO: Quality Sport Images/GettyImages |
Any player is destined for greatness when they are playing for Real Madrid aged 19.
Although he starred somewhat at Rennes, Camavinga has secured his dream move to the Spanish capital.
The fact he will be playing for a ridiculously talented France side means he will always be in with a shout of international silverware too.
8. Vinicius Jr
Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr. | PHOTO: Quality Sport Images/GettyImages |
After a few frustrating years Vinicius appears to have been unlocked by Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid, where he’s starting to put up some very impressive numbers. The Brazilian has the ideal platform to launch himself into the footballing stratosphere.
Whether his club can challenge for honours in the short-term remains to be seen, but Vinicius is already set for the top.
9. Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe. | PHOTO: Goal.com |
Kylian Mbappé will win the Ballon d’Or sooner rather than later, maybe even sooner than anyone on this list, whether he has to leave Paris Saint-Germain or not.
What’s clear is that he is already among the very best players on the planet aged just 22, and playing for the world’s top clubs and one of – if not the – best international side on the planet, his chances are very, very strong.
10. Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland. | PHOTO: INA FASSBENDER/GettyImages |
Just like Mbappe, Haaland is inevitable, and will surely retire with a few Ballon d’Or titles. Haaland is a goalscoring machine and unstoppable force, and alongside Mbappe, he could well dominate this award for years to come.
The Norwegian’s success with personal accolades may well hinge on where he decides to move to once his time at Borussia Dortmund comes to an end, especially given Norway will likely be underdogs on the international scene. He must choose wisely.
With that said, it is only a matter of time as to who on this list will be the first Ballon d’Or winner in the post Messi and Ronaldo era in football.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login