The five players that Cristiano Ronaldo thinks have the best possibility of winning the Ballon d’Or during their careers have been identified.
Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have dominated the Ballon d’Or ceremony since 2008, with only two occasions where neither player has won the men’s accolade.
The only other players to win the prize during that period were Luka Modric in 2018 and Karim Benzema in 2022. None of the four names listed above have even been nominated for the title, therefore a brand-new winner will be announced in 2024.
The favourite to win is Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, although teammate Jude Bellingham and Manchester City’s Rodri, who won Euro 2024, could run him close.
Ronaldo, who plays for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, has selected the five current players he thinks have the highest potential of winning the Ballon d’Or at some point in their careers, even if he won’t be there at the event this year.
Speaking alongside Manchester United great Rio Ferdinand on his new YouTube channel, Ronaldo maintained to a mostly Real Madrid theme, mentioning Bellingham, Vinicius, and Kylian Mbappe as the top candidates.
He said: “Kylian Mbappe can win the Ballon d’Or for the next few years. Probably Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham [as well].”
When Ferdinand interjected with the name of Vinicius, Ronaldo added: “Also Lamine Yamal.
“I think this new generation, they have a lot of potential.
When the list was revealed earlier this month, Barcelona and Spain star Yamal broke the record set by Mbappe in 2017 by becoming the youngest Ballon d’Or nominee.
The Frenchman, meanwhile, is also on this year’s shortlist, but he might believe that after playing a complete season for Real Madrid, he has a better chance of winning the prize.
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Haaland, who had another successful season with Manchester City, is also nominated.
However, in contrast to Vinicius and Bellingham in 2023, the Norwegian did not win the Champions League, and it may work against him if he does not represent Norway in Euro 2024.
