The FIFA Ballon d’Or might not be a common entity anymore but the independent award is still one of the most coveted honours to receive for any professional footballer. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are the two names who have been dominating the top spot for the last 9 years.
It has been impossible for anyone else to even have a look in. Fans of the sport have resigned to accept that these two winning awards is a going to be a regular thing. It might have been special the first couple of times their names were up in lights but since then it is considered the norm.
There will come a time when someone breaks their domination but the question on everyone’s lips is who? Here are 5 possible rivalries that could define the future of the award.
#1 Neymar vs Antoine Griezmann
FC Barcelona’s Neymar has been on the Ballon d’Or shortlist before but has only managed finishing 3rd in the list. The Brazilian is widely tipped as Lionel Messi’s heir as the club’s talisman once the Argentine retires.
There were several doubts about his ability to cope with the intensity of European football when he first came to the club. But the 24-year-old has since gone on to prove his doubters wrong and win every major trophy there is to win in a short period of time.
Neymar did not have the greatest 2016 but has shown he is capable of filling into Messi's’ boots when the little playmaker is unavailable. The Brazilian’s class and match winning ability really came to the fore during the early stages of the 2015/16 season when Messi was out of action for two months.
The ease with which he annihilated the Real Madrid defence was particularly impressive.
Antoine Griezmann’s spectacular rise has been well documented over the past two months. The graceful Frenchman is a unique breed of player and his performances for both Atletico Madrid and the French national team in the past year have earned him rave reviews.
Another who knows how it feels to miss out on winning the award finished third in the standings this time. Griezmann would automatically improve any team in the world because of his versatility and his knack for finding the back of the net.
Atletico Madrid did not possess a world class striker in their arsenal and when Griezmann arrived from Real Sociedad not many thought he would manage to fill that void so well. Originally a left sided player, Simeone moved him into a more central position and it has worked wonders for the club.
He narrowly missed out on winning the UEFA Champions League last season but knowing how determined he is, the only way he can go now is up.
#2. Paul Pogba vs Renato Sanches
There is a slightly larger age gap between Pogba and Sanches but given how the latter has already managed to break into the Bayern Munich first team the Portuguese seems to have matured into a top class footballer.
Forwards might usually rule the roost when it comes to top awards but there have been several occasions in the past when midfielders have won the award as well. The likes of Pavel Nedved and Ricardo Kaka have been prime examples of this very fact.
Pogba and Sanches are both players who peaked at an early age and their talent is widely known across the footballing fraternity. The Frenchman already has four Serie A titles to his name alongside his first ever inclusion in the FIFPro World XI.
Sanches was named the best young player at the Euros which was the icing on the cake that was lifting the trophy itself. Both have made slightly slow starts to the new season but as the months wear on their influence on United and Bayern respectively are ever increasing.
It won’t be much of surprise if the two players go on to dominate World Football in the future.
#3. Ousmane Dembele vs Gabriel Jesus
Ousmane Dembele was being tracked by Europe’s elite but he decided Borussia Dortmund would be his next destination. He snubbed the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona, oh and I forgot to mention he is only 19.
You know a player is special when two of the biggest clubs in the world are willing to pay over the top for a teenager. Dembele only made his professional debut in November of 2015 and managed to register 12 goals in just half a season.
Making the move the Dortmund so early in his career is a very brave decision but it is one that has reaped rewards for both parties. Dembele is already the club’s most important player and has immensely contributed to their attacking roster.
Gabriel Jesus might not have yet played a single minute for Manchester City, but watch 20 minutes of his footage for the Brazil national team and you will be convinced he is destined for greatness.
The Brazilian only made his international debut for Brazil in September of last year and scored twice during a 3-0 win over Ecuador in a World Cup qualifier. Gifted with searing pace and great vision he is definitely one for the future.
In 5 years time, we might see these two highly talented wingers battling for the ultimate personal accolade in football
#4. Phillipe Coutinho vs Eden Hazard
This season we have seen the emergence of Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho. The Brazilian has really taken his game to the next level becoming the Red's most creative force. His performances have propelled Liverpool to second in the table.
Coutinho was also named the best Brazilian player in Europe ahead of Barcelona's Neymar which proves how quickly he has improved in such a short space of time. There is no surprise that Barcelona are now showing immense interest in the player.
Eden Hazard had a poor 2015 but he seems to be back to doing what he does best, terrorising defences across the Premier League. He and Diego Costa have been instrumental to Chelsea’s incredible season so far.
He was named the PFA player of the year for 2014/15 season when the Blues cruised to the title and he could be well on his way to yet another PFA award this season if Chelsea end up winning the league.
Hazard and Coutinho are two of the best playmakers in world football and could probably do battle in Spain in the near future. Hazard has never kept it a secret that he wants to play for Real Madrid one day and with Neymar being one of Coutinho’s best friends the two players could go head to head in La Liga and the Ballon d’Or as well.
#5. Paulo Dybala vs Harry Kane
Arguably the two best young strikers in the world right now Dybala and Kane still have a long way to go in their development but both have already achieved a lot in their short careers so far.
Kane burst onto the Premier League scene in 2014 after Spurs were finding it difficult to play an in-form striker. Kane stepped up from the shadows and surprised everyone with his skill and eye for goal.
Despite his impressive performances, many felt he needed to prove himself once again in 2015/16. He went one better by winning the golden boot and also leading Tottenham’s title charge last season as they eventually lost to eventual champions Leicester City.
Kane has once again picked up the pace this year despite suffering an injury which kept him out of action for two months.
Paulo Dybala has been called the player most similar to Lionel Messi but compatriot Gonzalo Higuain. The 23-year-old helped Juventus win their 5th consecutive Scudetto and formed an impressive partnership with Alvaro Morata.
Although he hasn’t yet fired on all cylinders this season he is still touted for big things in the future.With both Barcelona and Real Madrid very keen on bringing him to Spain it won’t be long before he becomes a superstar there as well.
