11 future Ballon d’Or winners who could challenge Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi or the title. Chelsea star and Arsenal target included…
After Lionel Messi tipped Barcelona teammate Neymar as a future Ballon d’Or winner, let’s take a look at a few other stars of world football who could be in line for the oh so prestigious award in the near future.
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11 possible future Ballon d’Or winners:
11) Julian Draxler – Schalke
A couple of years ago Draxler was one of the hottest properties in world football. The youngster as lighting up the Bundesliga despite his extraordinarily young age, and he came to the attention of English fans when he demolished Chelsea practically single handedly, and became a serious transfer target for Arsenal.
He has dropped off a little in the past year, but he still has all the class and ability to be one of the best in the world. His versatility all across the front just makes him even more threatening.
10) Raheem Sterling – Liverpool
Sterling has been lighting up the Premier League in the last couple of seasons, earning the 19-year-old a string of England call ups where he has been equally impressive.
Liverpool’s main man this season so far, the versatile young forward has even become a reported target for Real Madrid.
9) Adnan Januzaj – Manchester United
The young Belgian has been compared to Cristiano Ronaldo already, after shocking the Premier League upon his introduction to the United first team.
Currently not in the first team frame under Louis van Gaal, if Januzaj can continue his growth at the rate expected of him then he is sure to be a future great.
8) James Rodriguez – Real Madrid
Already tipped for big things when he made a rather controversial move to Monaco, the 23-year-old seems far more suited to the Galacticos and Real Madrid.
Arguably the star of the World Cup this summer, Rodriguez won the golden boot with six goals and even scored the goal of the tournament with an unbelievable volley against Uruguay.
He may be in the shadow of the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale at the Bernabeu, but he certainly has the potential to reach a similar level.
7) Manuel Neuer – Bayern Munich
The Ballon d’Or more often than not goes to the goalscorers, the flair players, the ones that very visibly win you games; meaning defenders and goalkeepers are often overlooked.
There can be little argument however, that Manuel Neuer is easily the best keeper in the world at the moment.
Head and shoulders above the rest, Neuer has it all. He’s commanding, confident, an excellent shot-stopper, and his sweeping is second to none.
If any goalkeeper is ever to win the Ballon d’Or surely it will be Manuel Neuer?
6) Mario Gotze – Bayern Munich
Neuer’s Bayern Munich teammate Mario Gotze is already one of the biggest names in Germany, his place in history assured when he scored the winning goal against Argentina this summer at the World Cup.
A superb playmaker, but also able to play as a false 9 alone up front. Gotze is already an excellent player at just 22-years-old, and could easily evolve into one of the best in the world.
5) Luis Suarez – Barcelona
One of the most in form strikers in the world before his ban at the World Cup, Suarez could easily topple Messi and Ronaldo if he can keep up the form he showed at Liverpool last season.
Since his high profile move to Barcelona in the summer he will be in the spotlight even more, and playing for one of the best teams in the world could help him become the best in the world.
4) Paul Pogba – Juventus
The young Frenchman is arguably already one of the best box-to-box midfielders in the world, and at just 21-years-old he has plenty of time to improve further.
Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira has claimed that Pogba is already better than he ever was, and that is high praise indeed from his compatriot.
3) Eden Hazard – Chelsea
The Belgian has already been widely considered the best young player in the world since his move to Chelsea. At 23-years-old he is also still improving and has a lengthy career ahead of him.
Having already been named in the 23-man shortlist last year it looks only a matter of time before he wins one of his own.
Fantastic with both feet, pace to burn, and a lethal finisher, Hazard is destined to be at the very least in contention for years to come.
2) Neymar – Barcelona
Neymar is already one of the best in the world, his international form and consistency being the highlight of his fledgling career.
The Brazilian is already a key player in the Barcelona first team despite his young age. And having already been tipped by Messi to challenge for the Ballon d’Or in the near future, it’s hard to argue with the Argentine when you watch the 22-year-old in action.
1) Gareth Bale – Real Madrid
Many on this list may have to wait for the careers’ Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to wind down before they have any hope of winning the prestigious award, but Gareth Bale already seems to be emerging as a contender.
After a stellar first season at the Bernabeu Bale looks to be picking up from where he left off, and is fast becoming a Ronaldo clone.
Truly a player that has absolutely everything, if Bale doesn’t win the Ballon d’Or at some point in his career it will be a travesty.