Lionel Messi, the Inter Miami forward, has recently disclosed his predictions for the next generation of players who could contend for the prestigious Ballon d’Or award. For over a decade and a half, both Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have maintained their dominance in the footballing world.
However, Messi’s historic eighth Ballon d’Or win is likely to be his last, paving the way for a new era of talent.
During an interview with L’Equipe, Messi identified four players who he believes will be strong contenders for the award in the coming years. Among them are Haaland, Mbappe, and Vinicius Junior.
Messi stated, “The competition for the Ballon d’Or will be fierce in the upcoming years. There are several young players, like Haaland, Mbappe, and Vinicius Junior, who have the potential to fight for the accolade.”
Notably, Messi also highlighted Lamine Yamal from Barcelona as a young player who has already made significant strides in his career and could become a formidable competitor for the Ballon d’Or.
The revelation by Messi has generated excitement among football enthusiasts, eager to witness the emergence of a new generation of exceptional talents.