Ashley Cole hopes the day will come when a defender wins the Ballon d'Or again but admits it is hard to envisage in the era of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Former England left-back Cole would have liked to see a fellow defender win the coveted trophy - awarded to the world's top player - for the first time since Fabio Cannavaro in 2006.
However, he believes Barcelona's Messi and Juventus forward Ronaldo remain clearly the best players in world football.
"It's tough," Cole told Omnisport. "You want different positions maybe being credited with how good they've played in that season, but to be honest I don't think you can look outside of Messi and Ronaldo.
"What Messi does week in, week out is not normal. Again, the same with Ronaldo. It wasn't a surprise that Messi won it but one day, yeah, we probably would like a defender to win it."
One left-back who has impressed Cole in the Premier League this season is Ben Chilwell, who has been in fine form for high-flying Leicester City.
"I think, for me, him and [Liverpool's Andy] Robertson are the best two left-backs in the Premier League at the minute," Cole said, speaking on behalf of Nissan.
Chilwell looks set to become the regular starter for England heading into Euro 2020.
"He's playing in a good Leicester team, suiting his game at the minute where he can attack and he's got protection behind him," Cole said.
"Whether he starts for England? That's probably a question for Gareth [Southgate]. I'd like to see him start because I think when he has played for England he's played very well.
"He looks accomplished there. I'd like to see him start but that's down to the manager."
Aryankhera3154ak
524
if anyone comes but world and each and every person who doesn't watches football has two names on his lips Messi and Ronaldo. Fights are done that who is the best which is clarified as messi won one more ballon d'or but in my opinion i love both the living legends. My drawing for them
Hacker65
491
No-one deserves to win Ballon d'Or when Messi and Ronaldo are still alive and present as a football player. If anyone does, then this is a very big misunderstanding. No-one can reach their level. When they'll retire then maybe a day will come when a defender wins it. But for now, the Ballon d'Or is for the Kings of Football World
Rohcdiopsy
477
You nailed it bro artist, kudos! Us living in the era of Ronaldo and Messi should just enjoy watching them week in week out, there will come a time when the majority of the generation will hear of their prowess and watch old videos just like we hear stories of Pele, Sir Bobby Charlton etc.
Abu→bd
358
Don't debate for them, Just enjoy the " ERA OF GREATNESS " Bcoz the end is near....
Rad27
349
Our solar system has only one Sun but the footballing world has two...'MESSI' & 'RONALDO'
Paulusndara
215
Are people still trying to compare this two to anyone. Both created history nobody can break. I believe an opinion is something said and can be changed. A fact, is something that is true and can never be changed. Both can be said about this footballers