The Ballon d'Or is the most prestigious individual prize in football. It is awarded by French news magazine France Football to the best performing footballer in a calendar year.
The Ballon d'Or winner is determined on the basis of a combination of votes from national team captains, coaches, and media representatives. Lionel Messi has won the award a record seven times in his career. He is closely followed by Cristiano Ronaldo with five wins.
During their peak, there were plenty of other world-class footballers who ended up falling just short of winning the Ballon d'Or. But with the two stalwarts reaching the final phase of their respective careers, it is time for the baton to be passed onto the next generation.
Without further ado, let's take a look at three players who will win the Ballon d'Or award in the future and three who won't.
3 Players who will win the Ballon d'Or in the future
#3 Karim Benzema (France/Real Madrid)
Karim Benzema is currently viewed as the early favorite to win the 2022 Ballon d'Or. The Frenchman has been in blistering form for both club and country and is on a mission to show everyone why he is one of the greatest strikers of the modern era.
Benzema has managed to score a hat-trick each in the Round of 16 and the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League. He also scored the winning goal in the second leg of Real Madrid's quarter-final tie against Chelsea. Benzema has come up clutch regularly for Los Blancos this term.
He has scored 38 goals and provided 13 assists in 38 appearances across all competitions this season. Benzema is very likely to win the Ballon d'Or at the end of the year.
#2 Erling Haaland (Norway/Borussia Dortmund)
Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland is one of the best number 9s in the game right now. At the age of 21, he has already become the most sought-after striker in the world. Several European giants are set to line up to attempt to sign him this summer.
Haaland is widely viewed as a successor to the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo thanks to the sheer dominance he asserts on the football pitch. He is a prolific goalscorer who has scored an astonishingly wide variety of goals.
It is only a matter of time before Haaland joins a big club and starts winning trophies. He also has almost his entire career ahead of him and is tipped to win multiple Ballon d'Ors in the future.
#1 Kylian Mbappe (France/Paris Saint-Germain)
Kylian Mbappe has gone from strength to strength this season and has been a standout performer for Paris Saint-Germain this term. He is one of the most complete forwards we've seen in recent times and is a nightmare to go up against for opponents.
The Frenchman's blistering pace and exquisite technique make him as elusive and uncontainable a presence as any in the attacking realms. The 23-year-old has scored 31 goals and provided 22 assists in 39 appearances across all competitions for PSG so far this season.
Mbappe is tipped to at least make it to the Ballon d'Or podium this year and is another player who is expected to win the award multiple times in the future.
3 players who won't win the Ballon d'Or in the future
#3 Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium/Manchester City)
Kevin De Bruyne is one of the finest midfielders of his generation. The Belgian international boasts incredible vision and passing range and is capable of pulling off the extraordinary on a regular basis.
Even though the 30-year-old has played some great football this season, he does not stand out as much as he used to. City are a team blessed with world-class players all across the pitch. As such, the scope for De Bruyne to outshine his teammates and be their most important player has reduced in recent times.
He has scored 14 goals and provided eight assists in 36 appearances across all competitions for Manchester City so far this season. His numbers, while impressive, are not Ballon d'Or level. Having crossed over to his 30s, it is difficult to see things drastically improving from here.
#2 Neymar Jr. (Brazil/Paris Saint-Germain)
During the 2010s, Neymar Jr. was arguably the best footballer in the world after Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. He finished third for the Ballon d'Or in 2015 but it is starting to look a lot like that's as high as he is going to finish in his career.
Neymar continues to be one of the best forwards in the game. However, niggling injury issues and a slight dip in overall form has affected his chances. Neymar has also turned 30 and will find it hard to outperform the likes of Mbappe, Haaland etc. in the upcoming seasons.
#1 Robert Lewandowski (Poland/Bayern Munich)
This one will sting. Robert Lewandowski should have won the Ballon d'Or in 2020 after being Bayern Munich's best player in their continental treble winning season. However, the award was canceled that year in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He was one of the favorites to win the 2021 Ballon d'Or as well but eventually lost out to Lionel Messi. Lewandowski has been in spectacular form once again this season, scoring 47 goals and providing three assists in 41 appearances across all competitions.
However, Bayern Munich have been knocked out of the Champions League quarter-finals by Villarreal. That won't bode well for Lewandowski in the race for the Ballon d'Or. He is also well into his 30s and is unlikely to be able to keep performing at such a high level for a very long time.
Sheringbhutan
0
Calm down, Benze will be ahead when he'll break his fast by eating man city in the semiiiss.
That’s a big dream Am sure they can’t overcome city Former EPL champion, former UCL finalist, current EPL leader, playing FA cup semifinal after 6 mins. Am sure real can’t beat city Nwy dream big
Jedacdosy
0
Benzema and Lewandoski has 12+ UCL goals Real Madrid might win UCL or may lost against City Lewandoski might do well in UNL and as led Poland to WC and as obvious winning European Golden Shoe again De Bruyne’s City might win UCL Salah’s Liverpool are guaranteed playing Final and might win But at the end, they would give Ballon d’or to Messi for exploring new teams in ligue 1 after becoming top assister in Uber league and under Mbappe’s shadow
Is he living in your skull its been over 6 months bro get over it 😂
rotcenou
1
Never say never. When Benzema was 31, no one thought he could be a Ballon d'Or favourite one day.
still bac is going to overcome Madrid
vueikmpstu
1
Benzema ohhh
Justihno
1
All Football Editors are Mediocre. Just imagine this Childish Compilation. No one knows Tomorrow, who would have known that by now Neymar wouldn't have won the Balloon d'Or. Who would have thought that Modric would win the Balloon d'Or? Why Strike De Bruyne out of Balloon d'Or list, it's Stupid and Childish. Are All Football Editors Children?
GangulyAlok
1
If u are saying age as the perimeter for lewa then i hope u know benzema is 34 yrs old! Yes he is in superb form! But lewa may come to barca for the next season and with xavi you never know may b a treble is on the table😎🤟
Rotdeknpry
1
Benzema and Lewandoski has 12+ UCL goals Real Madrid might win UCL or may lost against City Lewandoski might do well in UNL and as led Poland to WC and as obvious winning European Golden Shoe again De Bruyne’s City might win UCL Salah’s Liverpool are guaranteed playing Final and might win But at the end, they would give Ballon d’or to Messi for exploring new teams in ligue 1 after becoming top assister in Uber league and under Mbappe’s shadow
when messi had highest goal and winning laliga in 2018 then no one says he is robbed.Now they say highest goal scorer should win.
Peoacenz
1
Salah is the real contender if they win the UCL
Afin7
0
lewa deserves a ballon dor, kdb ,will get one and were is foden bruh he after halaand on list to get ballon dor
You for put all your city players now even add yourself join.... Yamayama you 🥴
Sajuin
1
just wait and see
Qiutjagz
0
Mane, deserve it
79 years old man 😂
FootballFanDbl7
0
MESSI RONALDO BIGGEST BOTTLERS EVER
True...
iamaqibkhan
0
Cos Lewy lost the champions league yesterday doesn’t mean he won’t win it and just cos Benzema wins yesterday doesnot mean he ll win it. Both of them ll be included in “ whp doesnot win and who ll win “ cos both are equally capable. In term of goal scoring Lewy is ahead of Benzema but Benzema is ahead of Lewy. Same same
Calm down, Benze will be ahead when he'll break his fast by eating man city in the semiiiss.
fekbstyz
0
No he wasn’t. He have stayed if he wanted to be in the shadow of Messi but he did not
Their age diff is 4-5 years one day messi wouldve left and ney would still be there . So ney his chances would be there if he stayed with Barca especially with this Young Talanted Barca 🔥🔥🔥
Blabbermouth
0
Not true , was suarez in the shadow of Messi ???? NO ❌❌ suarez even won a Golden boot. So neymar Choose to be in the Shadaw of Messi.... i think he was just thinking about the money rather than his career 😉
No he wasn’t. He have stayed if he wanted to be in the shadow of Messi but he did not
Blabbermouth
0
Not true , was suarez in the shadow of Messi ???? NO ❌❌ suarez even won a Golden boot. So neymar Choose to be in the Shadaw of Messi.... i think he was just thinking about the money rather than his career 😉
What are you even saying ? Even when he won the golden boot he was in the shadow of Messi . It’s not just about goals . Messi also did everything that year to help Suarez win that golden boot . Suarez was always in the shadow of Messi. There has never been a year where Suarez was better than Messi .
Gunners4ever❤
0
Mane is not performing that better than sala . Only a little but salah is still a contender in the ballon d’or
And not by too much either.
Gunners4ever❤
0
Mane is not performing that better than sala . Only a little but salah is still a contender in the ballon d’or
I agree, but I also think it's more than just a little.
fekbstyz
0
Nope . He was always in the shadow of Messi . He still would not have won any even if he stayed
Not true , was suarez in the shadow of Messi ???? NO ❌❌ suarez even won a Golden boot. So neymar Choose to be in the Shadaw of Messi.... i think he was just thinking about the money rather than his career 😉
Blabbermouth
1
These days yeah Mané is outperforming Salah.
Mane is not performing that better than sala . Only a little but salah is still a contender in the ballon d’or
Blabbermouth
0
It’s funny how Neyy left to win BDO, but now doesn’t even has a Chance. With Barca i think his chances would be bigger 🔥
Nope . He was always in the shadow of Messi . He still would not have won any even if he stayed
Blabbermouth
0
To be honest ,I think Big Benz should win it,,also why the da heck is Neymar doing on the list?,Like him but there's no Ballon do'r for him
Can you read ?
Blabbermouth
0
Don’t count Neymar out just yet
Might be especially when mbappe is about to dominate the whole world
depmoprz
1
Benzema and Lewandoski has 12+ UCL goals Real Madrid might win UCL or may lost against City Lewandoski might do well in UNL and as led Poland to WC and as obvious winning European Golden Shoe again De Bruyne’s City might win UCL Salah’s Liverpool are guaranteed playing Final and might win But at the end, they would give Ballon d’or to Messi for exploring new teams in ligue 1 after becoming top assister in Uber league and under Mbappe’s shadow
cry more....
AbdulIlo
0
I think there are also other potentials that are being kept out of the list such as Muhammad Salah
it's dumb fans that don't recognize players like MS he is top of the premier league goals
Gunners4ever❤
0
Don't get me wrong. He was brought in as a striker and wasn't living up to expectations. That's what I mean. Aside that he has been great
That's more like it👍
_jerryboy
1
Not good enough lol😂😂 Just because he scored less goals doesn't mean he was good enough. He was still great even though he had worrying goal droughts at times.
Don't get me wrong. He was brought in as a striker and wasn't living up to expectations. That's what I mean. Aside that he has been great
Dobbcdisuz
0
they no slap u before abi
😂😂😂help me ask am
Gunners4ever❤
0
That's not what I'm saying. What i mean is people say Ronaldo is the reason why Benzema wasn't recognized and has always been doing the dirty work. Yes he has been doing the dirty works, but Benzema at that time was just not good enough as a forward like he is now. And Ronaldo isn't to be blame for his mediocre performances then.
Not good enough lol😂😂 Just because he scored less goals doesn't mean he was good enough. He was still great even though he had worrying goal droughts at times.
Zohadelz
0
that's what happens when you prioritise money
Yeah for sure my man, Kaka, Hazard and Bale chose money, and they dramatically decreased their perfomance! Money ruins everything
neymarabhi10
3
MESSI RONALDO BIGGEST BOTTLERS EVER
AbdulIlo
4
I think there are also other potentials that are being kept out of the list such as Muhammad Salah
Kyngkushkodi
4
Don’t count Neymar out just yet
sehjbains
6
Benzema and Lewandoski has 12+ UCL goals Real Madrid might win UCL or may lost against City Lewandoski might do well in UNL and as led Poland to WC and as obvious winning European Golden Shoe again De Bruyne’s City might win UCL Salah’s Liverpool are guaranteed playing Final and might win But at the end, they would give Ballon d’or to Messi for exploring new teams in ligue 1 after becoming top assister in Uber league and under Mbappe’s shadow
_jerryboy
1
Benzema was poor when Ronaldo was around? That's pure bollocks.
That's not what I'm saying. What i mean is people say Ronaldo is the reason why Benzema wasn't recognized and has always been doing the dirty work. Yes he has been doing the dirty works, but Benzema at that time was just not good enough as a forward like he is now. And Ronaldo isn't to be blame for his mediocre performances then.
Insight
1
Never say never. When Benzema was 31, no one thought he could be a Ballon d'Or favourite one day.
Fair comment
cobdeimuyz
2
city yoradi luboyini
Punkrsuy
1
Benzema
Wimbceinz
0
MANE for AFCON, EPL, UCL and world cup semis
stop allucinating
opedamy21
1
Mane, deserve it
they no slap u before abi
Sheringbhutan
4
Cos Lewy lost the champions league yesterday doesn’t mean he won’t win it and just cos Benzema wins yesterday doesnot mean he ll win it. Both of them ll be included in “ whp doesnot win and who ll win “ cos both are equally capable. In term of goal scoring Lewy is ahead of Benzema but Benzema is ahead of Lewy. Same same
Yusadkmnty
2
Mane, deserve it
Fodeirstu
0
Benzema
iam_sacrosanct
0
"De bruyne's numbers are not good enough to win ballon d'Or" so they say but Modric won it with far lesser numbers. I am not saying Modric didn't deserve it but I am questioning the consistency here... do numbers really count or team performance or just pure individual brilliance
It’s the combination of both teamwork and individuals performance. Take a look at Modric his team won UCL with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and other outstanding players. and took second in the FIFA World Cup 2018 and he won the Golden ball for himself, so that makes him deserve it but Kelvin De Bruyne's case is just so different. Even though the Citizens win the UCL this season there is no chance for the Belgium International team of winning a trophy before the Ballon d'Or award.
Gunners4ever❤
1
To be honest ,I think Big Benz should win it,,also why the da heck is Neymar doing on the list?,Like him but there's no Ballon do'r for him
You don't know how to read.
Gunners4ever❤
2
Never say never. When Benzema was 31, no one thought he could be a Ballon d'Or favourite one day.
Gunners4ever❤
0
Yes this is football, you are mostly remembered for what you are doing now not what you have done. We are also forgetting how Benzama used to miss siters as a striker. Because of that he had to do the dirty work and make others get the product like Ronaldo. You can't tell me CR7 blocked his shine. He was just poor🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️. But I'm happy he has become who he is now. Big Benz🤝🏾🤝🏾.
[image]
Benzema was poor when Ronaldo was around? That's pure bollocks.
Gunners4ever❤
1
Outstanding???? Benzema and Salah can break his UCL record and he didn’t even enter the semi final which is a shame
Salah? He is on 8 UCL goals this season with a maximum of 4 games left to play. You think he will score 9 goals in 4 games against Villarreal and Real Madrid/Manchester City?