5 reasons why Neymar will never win the Ballon d'Or

#2 Messi-Ronaldo duopoly is not over yet

Pictured here during the Ballon d'Or Gala in 2015, Messi and Ronaldo continue to age but remain the world's best

As the world's best players continue to age, there has been a collective enthusiasm for the next generation of super talents to breakthrough and prove their quality. That's all well and good but, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are still in the peak years of their respective careers.

Every time one or the other is doubted, harshly critiqued or faces questions about whether they're as good as they once were, they do their talking on the pitch.

Ronaldo turned 33 last month, while Messi will be 31 midway through this summer's World Cup in Russia. Between the attacking duo, they have won the last ten Ballon d'Or accolades since 2008, something previously never done before its inception in 1956.

There's no question that the pair is two of the greatest players of all-time and while we should appreciate them as they continue to play, breaking records along the way, the duopoly dominance at the top is not finished by any stretch of the imagination.

Messi has netted 34 and created 16 assists across all competitions this term, proving just how much of a valuable asset he is to Barcelona's aspirations for success while Ronaldo (33 and 5) struggled for consistency before the Christmas break.

However, the Portugal captain responded to his critics in emphatic fashion: having netted 17 goals in 12 matches since, popping up with important strikes when his team-mates need him most.

You see where I'm going with this, right? Neymar has been influential, of course, and PSG are keen to build their side around him for years to come, regardless of the speculation surrounding his long-term future in Paris.

But he's still got plenty on his plate to keep up with the Messi-Ronaldo duopoly, which could potentially extend a further few seasons. Then what happens, once Neymar is 29, 30 himself?