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#3 Gavi
Xavi and Andreas Iniesta were two of the greatest midfielders of this generation and missed out on the Ballon d'Or quite unfortunately. But surely, at just 17, they did not become the heartthrob of a Spanish midfield, strolling around like it's all fun and games. Sounds like Ballon d'Or material, right?
There are hardly any 17-year-olds in world football who could give Marco Veratti a run for his money in midfield and emerge as the better player on the day. Gavi did that in his very first appearance for Spain, against Italy in the Nations League. He has a fiery side to his game, a hungry and relentless workrate to get on the ball.
Without the tallest or most imposing frame, he is able to stay on his feet under pressure and challenge, and wriggles past opponents with his nimble-feet. He has driven both Barcelona and Spain's transitions from the back with great maturity and his decision making has been immaculate. He could surely have a Luka Modric-like season in the future to claim the Ballon d'Or.
The Spanish midfielder has been a regular for Barcelona this season, having made 14 appearances for the Catalans in all competitions. With Xavi taking charge of the Barcelona hotseat, he can truly transform Gavi and help him fulfill his potential.
Gavi's team-mate Pedri is an equally good contender for the Ballon d'Or, but the former might just edge the latter as time goes on.
#2 Jude Bellingham
It is difficult to imagine Jude Bellingham winning the Ballon d'Or at Borussia Dortmund. But what's not difficult to see is why the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United are lining up offers to price away the 18-year-old from the German club.
Bellingham is undoubtedly the most important member of the Dortmund squad behind Erling Haaland. The midfielder does everything on the pitch, be it holding the ball, driving it into the opposition box, dribbling past opponents, providing a killer pass or pressing high with intensity.
He is one of the favorites to win the Golden Boy award this year, having become the youngest player to feature in the history of the Euros. It takes a long time for players to evolve their game, but the English teenager has already stepped up compared to last season and is even scoring goals.
In 15 appearances in the Bundesliga and Champions League combined, he has scored three goals and provided six assists. He also became the youngest player to score in two consecutive Champions League games, snatching the record from Kylian Mbappe. So if Mbappe can be a future contender for the Ballon d'Or, why should Jude be ignored?
#1 Florian Wirtz
He is just too good for his age, like many on this list, but he seems just that one step ahead than many as well. An attacking midfielder by trait, Florian Wirtz is a clear standout in Bayer Leverkusen's side delivering impactful performances one after the other.
At just 18, Wirtz averages a goal contribution in every second game for Leverkusen. He is one of the favorites to take home the Golden Boy award on personal merit and that could be the basis of him taking home the Ballon d'Or in future as well.
With no clear weakness to exploit, Wirtz is as good with the ball at his feet as he is without it. He utilizes his great reserves of energy for incessant pressing and once he gets the ball, he is dangerous. The German teenager executes passes that he visualizes to great perfection and is able to carve out defenses without breaking a sweat.
Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Manchester City have all been keeping tabs on the young starlet. Understandably, playing for any of those sides in the future escalates his chances of winning the Ballon d'Or. Only five Germans have ever won the Ballon d'Or, and Writz seems like a generational talent who could indeed add to the list.
