5 possible future Ballon d'Or rivalries

#3 Bruno Fernandes and Kevin De Bruyne

Manchester United v Manchester City - Carabao Cup Semi Final

Bruno Fernandes and Kevin De Bruyne are two of the finest playmakers in Europe. Both players have entirely different ways of going about their business. Fernandes is a risk taker who can pull off the unthinkable with his quick thinking and technical ability.

He is an extremely intelligent footballer whose spatial awareness is simply world-class. But the risk-taking nature of his game could lead to his side losing possession a number of times during the course of a game.

Kevin De Bruyne, on the other hand, is a precise passer who is also excellent at reading the game. He knows how to play inch perfect through balls to his attackers and is a force to be reckoned with in midfield.

De Bruyne has now won the PFA Players' Player of the Year for two years running. Fernandes clocked some incredible numbers for Manchester United during the 2020-21 season. He scored 28 goals and provided 17 assists in 58 appearances across all competitions.

De Bruyne equalled Thierry Henry's record for most assists in a single Premier League season by racking up 20 in the 2019-20 season. This is a rivalry that deserves a Ballon d'Or audience.

#2 Mohamed Salah and Neymar Jr.

Liverpool v Paris Saint-Germain - UEFA Champions League Group C

Mohamed Salah is arguably the most in-form footballer in the world right now. He has been scoring goals for fun and making professional football look like child's play. The Egyptian international has already scored a handful of wonderful goals in the 2021-22 season and has been the main man for Liverpool this term.

Salah's pace, dribbling ability and finishing make him one of the deadliest attackers in the game right now. He has been clocking incredible numbers for Liverpool as well. If the Merseysiders can go onto win some silverware this season, Salah will be the frontrunner for the 2022 Ballon d'Or the way things are going.

Neymar Jr. has been one of the best footballers in the world over the past decade. The Brazilian international is one of the most exciting players on the planet. If he can keep injuries at bay, he will be a regular in the Ballon d'Or race in the coming years.

Now that Messi has also joined PSG, they are title-favourites in a number of competitions. If Neymar can keep his form and win trophies, he will be challenging for the Ballon d'Or quite soon and is very likely to be pitted against Mohamed Salah.

#1 Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland

Borussia Dortmund v Paris Saint-Germain - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: First Leg

This is perhaps the most predictable inclusion on this list. Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are widely viewed as successors to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Mbappe and Haaland are two of the most sought-after players on the planet right now.

At the age of 22, Mbappe has already had a wonderful career. The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner has been sensational for PSG in recent seasons. In the 2020-21 season, he scored 42 goals and provided 11 assists in 47 appearances across all competitions.

Meanwhile, Haaland scored 41 goals and provided 11 assists in 41 appearances across all competitions for Borussia Dortmund last term. Those are the kind of numbers that land you right in the Ballon d'Or conversation. Mbappe and Haaland are both extremely athletic players who are also prolific goalscorers.

They are expected to share a rivalry that dominates the Ballon d'Or race in the future.