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For the past decade, (with the exception of 2018) FC Barcelona captain Lionel Messi and Juventus striker Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated the Ballon d'Or landscape, winning five awards each since 2008.
However, as the incredible duo age towards the wrong side of 35, their outstanding skill levels and fitness will definitely dwindle. As a result, their spot at the top of the world football scene will eventually be taken up by younger stars. As such, the Ballon d'Or will also switch hands to the younger stars of tomorrow.
Here is a list of five footballers under the age of 20, who might be able to replace the otherworldly duo of today, and potentially win the prestigious Ballon d'Or in the future.
#5 - Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)
Considering that European giants Real Madrid purchased him for €45 million when he was just 18 years old, it comes as no surprise that Vinicius Junior is one of the most promising forwards in the world today.
Despite his slender build, Vinicius Junior is one of the quickest yet physical players on the field. Possessing explosive acceleration, excellent dribbling skills, and unmatchable flair on the ball, the Brazilian is regarded as the future of Real Madrid's attack and has been treated as such. Through the course of last season, he played 31 games as a mere teenager, which is a club record.
In his 31 appearances, he scored 3 goals and assisted 12 times, a stellar record for such a young player. As he gains experience and becomes a more mature player, expect these stats to improve exponentially. Thus, he certainly has the raw potential to become one of the best players in the world and maybe even win the Ballon d'Or.
#4 - Riqui Puig (FC Barcelona)
There aren't many footballers more talented than Riqui Puig. A creative midfielder with lightning pace, great dribbling, and unmatched vision, Puig has been touted as "the pearl of La Masia". As such, the Spanish international is expected to be destined for greatness at FC Barcelona.
As an 18 year old, Puig played a critical role in the Blaugrana's UEFA Youth League win in 2018, scoring three and assisting three goals in the competition. He made his first-team debut in the 2018/19 season in the Copa Del Rey against Cultural Leonesa, assisting a goal in Barcelona's 4-1 win.
While he may not immediately play regularly for the first team, expect big things from Puig, as he is sure to become an integral member of Barcelona's midfield in the future. Hence, a Ballon d'Or of his own could also be a possibility.
#3 - Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid)
Joao Felix was recently in the news, having completed his £113 million move from Benfica to Atletico Madrid. Having been in the limelight for a long time, Felix rose through the ranks of the Portuguese national team, representing them at the under-16, under-19, under-20, under-21, and the senior levels.
Capable of playing as a striker, center forward, and even a winger, Felix made his debut for Benfica in the start of the 2018/19 season and made an unprecedented impact, scoring 15 goals and assisting 7 in 26 league appearances at the club - some incredible stats for a teenager.
With his lanky frame, Felix has incredible technique, stunning dribbling skills, and lots of creativity in his arsenal. If he manages to continue his stunning progress, Joao Felix is sure to become one of the deadliest attackers in La Liga, and a potential Ballon d'Or candidate in the years to come.
#2 - Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund)
Jadon Sancho moved to Borussia Dortmund at the start of the 2017/18 season, and since then, he has been virtually unstoppable on the field. Sancho was an integral member of Lucien Favre's team, scoring twelve goals and assisting fourteen goals in the Bundesliga last season for Dortmund. He has even made six appearances for the England senior team, making his debut at just 18.
As a result of his impressive league performances, the England international won a place in Bundesliga's "Team of the Season" as a mere teenager.
As a result of his impressive performances, Sancho has caught the eye of many big clubs, such as Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Manchester United. Whether or not he moves to another club anytime soon, the Englishman has an incredibly bright future - he certainly has the potential to become a world-class forward, and perhaps even win the Ballon d'Or.
#1 - Matthijs de Ligt (Ajax)
As a 19 year old, Matthijs de Ligt already has insurmountable hype to his name, and rightfully so. He has already become one of the best center-backs in the world and has established himself as a regular for both club and country. Additionally, he also captains his club side, Ajax.
Tall and muscular, de Ligt is a force to be reckoned with on the pitch. Despite having a huge frame, the Ajax captain somehow manages to have exquisite tackling skills and wonderful technique on the ball. He is also incredibly quick and has the ability to chase down most forwards he comes up against.
He is also a natural leader; he is already the captain of Ajax as a teenager, and is sure to become the future captain of the Netherlands. De Ligt's wide array of skills has made him the most prized commodity in world football, with bids bouncing between FC Barcelona, PSG, and Juventus.
The Dutchman is already one of the best defenders in the world, and he is sure to improve dramatically, considering that he is still a teenager. He is a once-in-a-generation talent, and most definitely has a chance to win the Ballon d'Or in the future.
