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The Ballon d'Or is the most prestigious personal accolade in world football and is awarded at the end of the calendar year. Currently a France Football showpiece, some of the most decorated names in world football have got their hands on the Ballon d'Or over the years, adding to the legend of the prize.
Due to unprecedented circumstances surrounding the coronavirus, the 2020 Ballon d'Or was officially scrapped last month. While all footballing activity was suspended in Europe for the best part of four months and later resumed, several leagues across the continent concluded prematurely due to the pandemic.
Nevertheless, the Ballon d'Or has retained its charm over the years and is the pinnacle of personal accolades in the footballing world. In 2019, Lionel Messi became the first player in history to win the award for the sixth time, as he pipped Virgil van Dijk and arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo to the prize.
Messi and Ronaldo have won a staggering 11 Ballon d'Or awards between them and have shown no signs of slowing down despite being in the twilight years of their respective careers.
However, in recent years, several younger players have also made their mark and look set to get their hands on the award. While it is impossible to predict how a said player's career could turn out, here are five superstars who look set to get their hands on the Ballon d'Or at some point in the future.
#5 Erling Haaland | Borussia Dortmund, Norway
Norwegian goal machine Erling Haaland has enjoyed a rapid rise to the top in the past 12 months. Having made a name for himself at Molde under current Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Haaland moved to Red Bull Salzburg in January 2019 to continue his development.
The towering striker took the Austrian Bundesliga by storm and also made his presence felt in the Champions League, as he announced himself with a stunning hat-trick against Belgian side Genk.
Haaland is a potent finisher and has the uncanny ability to run in behind defences to get himself into goalscoring positions, while he is also incredibly quick for a player of his stature.
The 20-year-old was coveted by some of the biggest clubs in the world but opted to move to Borussia Dortmund in January 2019, where he has continued to bang in the goals at a startling rate. Haaland is one of Europe's most feared marksmen and could be a future Ballon d'Or winner if he carries on performing like this.
#4 Jadon Sancho | Borussia Dortmund, England
Another Borussia Dortmund player on the list, Jadon Sancho is one of the most gifted young players in world football. The Englishman is capable of scoring goals and creating them from wide areas and has dazzled fans with his trickery on the ball since bursting onto the scene at the age of 17.
Sancho swapped Manchester City for Dortmund in 2017 to get regular game time under his belt and it is safe to say the decision has already paid dividends. The 20-year-old has delivered a series of eye-catching displays in the Bundesliga and is one of the most sought-after players in world football.
Manchester United are reportedly willing to break the British transfer record fee and hand him the #7 shirt to tempt him into moving to Old Trafford this summer. Additionally, the youngster also has keen admirers at Real Madrid and Liverpool, as he continues to turn heads across the continent.
Sancho has all the tools to win the Ballon d'Or in the future and his hopes could be boosted if he secures a big-money move in the coming years.
Also Read: 5 Jadon Sancho alternatives for Manchester United
#3 Trent Alexander-Arnold | Liverpool, England
Trent Alexander-Arnold already has quite the trophy cabinet at the age of 21 and is living out his dream of representing his boyhood club. The young Scouser is unlike any right-back in world football, having established himself as the creative genius of this star-studded Liverpool team.
Blessed with an incredible passing range and the ability to pick out pin-point crosses from wide areas, Alexander-Arnold has drawn comparisons with former England captain David Beckham. While the 21-year-old has a long way to go to emulate someone as decorated as Beckham, its not hard to see why he is held in such high regard.
Under the tutelage of Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool's #66 has become one of the biggest matchwinners in the world and has already won the UEFA Champions League and the Premier League in his short career so far.
Alexander-Arnold could become the first defender since Fabio Cannavaro in 2006 to get his hands on the Ballon d'Or if he carries on performing like this for club and country.
#2 Neymar | Paris Saint-Germain, Brazil
Brazilian sensation Neymar needs no introduction, as the mercurial attacker has performed on the grandest stage for the best part of a decade. Hailed as one of the most naturally gifted players of his generation, Neymar has produced several iconic moments for club and country over the years.
Having plied his trade with Santos and Barcelona, the Brazilian sealed a move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 and has continued to perform exceptionally well. Neymar is incredibly gifted on the ball and is capable of running the show as a playmaker, while he has also shown that he can take matters into his own hands and produce matchwinning displays in front of goal.
The former Barcelona star was hailed as the heir to Lionel Messi's throne when he burst onto the scene and is the most influential attacker in world football on his day.
Neymar should get his hands on the Ballon d'Or in the coming years and is amongst the most envied footballers in the world.
#1 Kylian Mbappe | Paris Saint-Germain, France
Kylian Mbappe is dubbed as the most gifted player of his generation and is already one of the best players in the world despite being just 21 years old. The Frenchman has drawn comparisons with the likes of Thierry Henry, Ronaldo Nazario and Pele for his style of play and impact on the pitch at such a young age.
Known for his off the ball movement, explosive pace and powerful running, Mbappe is an outstanding dribbler and also has all the physical attributes to succeed in the modern game.
Having burst onto the scene at Monaco as a wide player, there is an air of inevitability around Mbappe being converted into a #9, much like what was the case with Thierry Henry at Arsenal.
The Frenchman has already won the World Cup and several league titles in France and is set to dominate world football in the coming years.
Also Read: 5 most underrated players in the Premier League
