Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese football legend with five Ballon d’Or awards, has shared his insights on the next generation of football stars who he believes are poised to win the prestigious trophy in the future. In a recent discussion on his YouTube channel, Ronaldo highlighted several young players who he thinks will dominate world football and potentially win the Ballon d’Or. Among these rising stars are Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, and Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal.
Ronaldo’s Endorsement of Kylian Mbappé
Cristiano Ronaldo has given a strong endorsement to Kylian Mbappé, predicting that the French forward will achieve significant success at Real Madrid and could be a future Ballon d’Or winner. In his YouTube conversation with former Manchester United teammate Rio Ferdinand, Ronaldo praised Mbappé’s talent and potential.
Ronaldo stated, “I believe Mbappé will succeed at Real Madrid.” “The team has a strong organizational structure, a fantastic coach, and a seasoned president in Florentino Pérez. Given his skill, Mbappé has a great chance to win the Ballon d’Or in the future.”
Ronaldo’s comments come as Mbappé adapts to his new environment at Madrid. Although the team has had a mixed start to the season with two wins and two draws, Mbappé showed signs of his prowess by scoring twice against Real Betis before the international break. Despite trailing Barcelona by four points in La Liga, Ronaldo is confident that Mbappé’s presence will strengthen Madrid’s squad.
Rising Stars: Haaland, Bellingham, and Yamal
In addition to Mbappé, Ronaldo also named Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, and Lamine Yamal as potential future Ballon d’Or winners. Haaland and Bellingham have already established themselves as exceptional talents, with Haaland known for his prolific goal-scoring and Bellingham for his impressive midfield performances.
What makes Ronaldo’s endorsement particularly noteworthy is his inclusion of Lamine Yamal, the young Barcelona talent. At just 17 years old, Yamal has already made history by becoming the youngest ever Ballon d’Or nominee. Ronaldo’s recognition of Yamal’s potential highlights the high regard in which the young player is held, and it serves as a significant confidence booster for the Barcelona wonderkid.
The Changing Landscape of Ballon d’Or Contenders
Ronaldo’s remarks come at a time when the football landscape is undergoing a significant shift. Neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo are on the 2024 Ballon d’Or nominee list, marking the first time in more than 20 years that this has happened. This marks a notable departure from the previous years, where both legends were regular fixtures on the list.
Lionel Messi, with a record eight Ballon d’Or titles, last won the award in 2023. From 2004 to 2022, Cristiano Ronaldo, the five-time winner of the award, was a regular on the list. The absence of both players from this year’s nominations signifies a new era in football, with emerging talents like Mbappé, Haaland, Bellingham, and Yamal now taking center stage.
Cristiano Ronaldo: “Mbappé, Haaland, Bellingham can all win a Ballon D’Or! Lamine Yamal, as well” 🫶🏻♥️
pic.twitter.com/IIpOh9H0bH
— Sara 🦋 (@SaraFCBi) September 10, 20242024 Ballon d’Or Nominees List
The 2024 Ballon d’Or nominees list features a diverse range of players who have impressed with their performances over the past year. The full list includes:
- Jude Bellingham
- Ruben Dias
- Phil Foden
- Federico Valverde
- Emiliano Martinez
- Nico Williams
- Erling Haaland
- Toni Kroos
- Granit Xhaka
- Artem Dovbik
- Dani Olmo
- Vinicius Jr
- Martin Odegaard
- Mats Hummels
- Florian Wirtz
- Harry Kane
- Rodri
- Declan Rice
- Vitinha
- Cole Palmer
- Lamine Yamal
- Dani Carvajal
- Bukayo Saka
- Hakan Calhanoglu
- William Saliba
- Kylian Mbappe
- Lautaro Martinez
- Ademola Lookman
- Antonio Rudiger
- Alejandro Grimaldo
The winner of the 2024 Ballon d’Or will be announced on October 28, and it will be interesting to see which of these emerging stars will claim the coveted title.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s insights into the future of football highlight the exciting potential of the current generation of players. With stars like Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, and Lamine Yamal emerging as strong contenders, the next few years promise to be thrilling for football fans worldwide. As the game evolves and new talents rise to prominence, the Ballon d’Or remains a symbol of excellence and achievement in the sport.
For those following the latest in football, keeping an eye on these young stars and their performances will be essential as they strive to carve their names into the history of the sport.
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