Lionel Messi’s Insights on Future Ballon d’Or Contenders: A Ranking of the Four Players

Lionel Messi has shared his thoughts on potential future Ballon d’Or contenders, highlighting that young talents like Haaland, Mbappe, Vinicius, and the budding Lamine Yamal could all compete for the prestigious award. Let’s delve into a ranking of these four players based on their likelihood to secure the Ballon d’Or in the near future.

1. Kylian Mbappe: Kylian Mbappe seems poised for Ballon d’Or success, with a Champions League victory appearing to be the only missing piece in his impressive resume. He is arguably one of the most complete attackers and a strong contender for the award, particularly in the absence of Messi. Last season, Mbappe’s achievements included a World Cup final hat-trick and over 40 goals for PSG. His skill set positions him as a frontrunner for future honors.
2. Erling Haaland: Erling Haaland, renowned for his lethal finishing ability, could ascend to the Ballon d’Or podium if he replicates his stellar performances from the previous season. The Norwegian striker has set the football world ablaze, but his success is also a testament to the collective efforts of his team, as seen in Manchester City’s contributions. Whether Haaland can maintain his form remains a critical question.
3. Vinicius Jr.: Vinicius Jr. has emerged as one of La Liga’s top wingers over the past three seasons, delivering over 40 goal contributions for Real Madrid in the previous campaign. While he may stand a chance at the Ballon d’Or, it hinges on consistent peak performance throughout the season and Real Madrid’s triumph in major competitions. The competition, however, is fierce, including a teammate in Jude Bellingham.
4. Lamine Yamal: Lamine Yamal finds himself at the bottom of this list due to his age, as he is still only 16. At this stage, his aim should be set on the Ballon d’Or Kopa Trophy, an award for young talents, similar to what Gavi and Pedri have targeted. However, the future appears incredibly bright for Yamal, and if he maintains a consistent trajectory, there may be no stopping this prodigious talent. As Messi was 22 when he secured his first Ballon d’Or, Yamal has ample time to script his own chapter in history.