Messi Predicts Future Ballon d’Or Contenders
Lionel Messi, the most decorated player in Ballon d’Or history with eight wins, has tipped several new stars to compete for the coveted award in the future.
Having secured his first award back in 2009 while playing for Barcelona, Messi’s legendary career now extends to his current stint with Inter Miami. He sees a fresh generation ready to claim the throne.
Messi’s Reign May Be Over, But New Stars Are Rising
Adding to his record-breaking eight title wins, Messi secured his most recent victory in 2023 after leading Argentina to World Cup glory.
As reported by SPORTbible, he faced fierce competition from Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and PSG’s Kylian Mbappé, who are no strangers to Ballon d’Or contention themself [link to list of Champions League winners who also won Ballon d’Or (optional)].
However, considering Messi’s current age (36) and likely transition into the twilight of his career, it’s safe to say his own Ballon d’Or challenges are behind him.
The Next Generation of Ballon d’Or Contenders
With his vast experience and understanding of what it takes to be crowned the Ballon d’Or winner, Messi has named four players he believes have the potential to claim the prestigious award in the future.
According to L’Equipe, the Barcelona legend sees both Haaland and Mbappé as frontrunners for the title.
Messi’s picks extend beyond these established stars. He also highlighted Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. and Barcelona’s rising talent, Lamine Yamal, as potential future contenders.
