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Some football players have been achieving record numbers and winning trophies at a consistent rate for the last decade. Names like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi easily come to mind, but the duo - aged 36 and 34 respectively - are in the twilight years of their careers.
The current Ballon d'Or nomination list could be the last to include both world-class stars. Messi and Ronaldo may struggle to maintain the high standards they set for world football for over 10 years.
The world is looking forward to the future of football after Messi and Ronaldo eventually hang up their boots with much fanfare. Many potential world-class stars of the next generation have already popped across European football.
Will there be another set of players who will rule supreme and dominate the Ballon d'Or podium for the next decade? Or are we about to see the last of the greatest ascendancy in football's prestigious individual awards?
Some believe that players like Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe and Borussia Dortmund's Erling Haaland will form the new rivalry in football dominance. Others believe that the brilliance of their entire age group would never let just two players shine brighter than the others.
One thing is for certain: the next five years will see a radical change in the World's best XI. There will come a star-studded lineup that will not include Cristiano Ronaldo's prowess on the left flank or Lionel Messi's dominance on the right.
Without further ado, let's take a look at the potential future of football: the world's best XI in five years.
Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma | Paris Saint-Germain
The summer transfer window saw Gianluigi Donnarumma make the switch from AC Milan to PSG. The move went through after he was unable to agree new contract terms with the Rossoneri.
It was a significant blow for the Italian giants, who had built the brilliant goalkeeper from their youth system. Milan even handed him the starting position in goal in the first-team before he turned 18.
Donnarumma's time in Italy was highly successful, with the star picking up 88 clean sheets and conceding only 265 goals in 251 appearances. He has conceded just four goals in five games for PSG this season, with two clean sheets along the way.
At just 22, the star goalkeeper isn't even near his prime yet. In four years when he's 26, Gianluigi Donnarumma could easily become the best keeper in the world.
Left-back: Alphonso Davies | Bayern Munich
Taking over David Alaba's left-back spot at Bayern Munich is not an easy thing to do, especially when you're a teenager. Enter Alphonso Davies.
The star lit up the left flank so remarkably for Bayern Munich in recent seasons that Alaba had to switch to centre-back. Davies' brilliance in the MLS caught Bayern's attention a few years ago, and they were quick to snatch him up from Canada.
Since signing for the Bavarians, Davies has been a revelation. His marauding attacks and pacey runs on the left have been a great source of creativity for the club. Now 20 years old, the star already has an astonishing 10 trophies with Bayern, including a Champions League title and three back-to-back Bundesliga titles.
By 2025, there's no telling how many more trophies Davies might add to his cabinet.
Center-back: Matthijs de Ligt | Juventus
A scintillating 2018-19 season where he captained the Ajax team with brilliant displays of defending and leadership brought Matthijs de Ligt to the fore.
It was already clear then that Ajax had a new star on their hands, and they wouldn't be able to hold onto him for long. De Ligt guided the Dutch giants to an exciting Champions League run where they managed to topple Juventus in the quarter-finals. The side eventually suffered heartbreak at the hands of Tottenham in the semi-finals.
Although quite a few European clubs had their eyes on de Ligt, the star made the decision to move to Turin in 2019. The towering centre-back has already spent two seasons in Serie A and is currently in his third season with the Bianconeri.
De Ligt may not have the impressive goalscoring prowess he picked up at Ajax. But his defensive skills are blameless and he can only grow from here.
Center-back: Ruben Dias | Manchester City
When Vincent Kompany announced his decision to leave the Cityzens after a worthy career, many wondered who would take his place. Kompany was an excellent leader and a rock in Manchester City's defense.
Pep Guardiola's first choice was Benfica's Ruben Dias, a 23-year-old centre-back with a good head on his shoulders and a sharp eye for key tackles.
Now 24 years old, Dias has become a mainstay at the heart of Manchester City's backline. His leadership and tenacity, which once guided Benfica to the Primeira Liga, has enhanced the Cityzens. Dias guided City to a Premier League title and the League Cup last season.
The Portuguese has spent just one season with the side, picking up two trophies. As things stand, it's clear that Dias is set for more major trophies for City and Portugal.
Right-back: Trent Alexander-Arnold | Liverpool
Trent Alexander-Arnold quickly became renowned at Anfield during his first-team appearances under Jurgen Klopp in the 2016-17 season. But his headline moment came during the Champions League comeback against Barcelona in 2019. That audacious corner kick put Alexander-Arnold's name on the world map.
Mature for his age and not a single red card to his name since joining Klopp's main side, the 23-year-old has already won four trophies with Liverpool. This includes the UEFA Champions League and the Premier League.
Alexander-Arnold is currently regarded as one of the best full-backs in the world, and his brilliant set-piece abilities only add to his amazing resume. He has already picked up three assists in eight games for Liverpool this season as well.
At the moment, nothing can stop the Scouser from standing head and shoulders above every other right-back in the world by 2025.
Center midfield: Pedri | Barcelona
His vision, passing range, and creativity will have you assume that Pedri graduated from Barcelona's famed La Masia.
However, the shining star rose through the ranks at Las Palmas and started playing for the first team when he was just 16. Barcelona, known for their quality scouting of wonderkids, snatched up the star and threw him right into the first team aged 17.
So far, Pedri has been a remarkable signing for the club, pulling the strings and controlling the midfield with brilliant key passes. Now 18, the star's new contract with Barcelona contains a €1 billion release clause. Consequently, it's fair to say that the Blaugranes will be seeing Pedri at Camp Nou for a long time.
Barcelona may currently be in the financial doldrums, but if things turn around for the side, Pedri could be a key player for the Catalans in the years to come.
Defensive midfield: Jude Bellingham | Borussia Dortmund
When Jude Bellingham made his debut for Birmingham City at the young age of 16, it was clear that the star was going places. However, no one expected that he would be thrust right into the starting lineup at Borussia Dortmund when he turned 17.
Bellingham's maturity and positional awareness triggered the interest of the German giants. The £25 million paid by BVB made him the most expensive 17-year-old in world football.
Within months of life in Germany, Bellingham was called up to the England senior team for whom he has already made eight appearances. His presence in the middle of the park and his tactical understanding of the game make the wonderkid a key cog in the Dortmund wheel.
Jude Bellingham is already regarded as a star player even though he's still a teenager. It makes one wonder just how good he could become in the coming years.
Center midfield: Phil Foden | Manchester City
At just 21 years of age, Phil Foden's impressive performances with Manchester City are worthy of note. He might be placed as a midfielder on this list, but the star is quite capable of handling any position in the middle and final third of the pitch.
Foden was fantastic in City's recent game against Club Brugge, where he played as a striker. The display only goes to show how effective he is almost anywhere ahead of the defense.
Last season, the diminutive star showed just how important he was to Manchester City, appearing in 50 games and scoring 16 goals - a personal record. Foden helped City to back-to-back Premier League titles, and he currently has 10 trophies, including four League Cups.
Foden is clearly not for sale and is set for a long career at the Etihad. If his recent performances for the Cityzens are anything to go by, English football has a big, beautiful gem on their hands.
Left-wing forward: Kylian Mbappe | Paris Saint-Germain
When PSG opened their cheque-book to sign 19-year-old Kylian Mbappe for a mind-boggling €180 million, some pundits found it absurd. However, Mbappe met the massive expectations placed on his shoulders and showcased his brilliance to the world in fine fashion.
Mbappe has picked up the highest goalscorer award for Ligue 1 in each of the last three seasons. He's also won three league titles, and 2018 saw him guide France to a World Cup trophy as well.
At just 22 years of age, Mbappe is already PSG's third highest goalscorer in history. He might be moving to the Santiago Bernabeu soon enough if Real Madrid can convince the Parisians to let go of their star.
Wherever he plays, Mbappe will surely dominate and maintain his status as a world-class goalscorer. If anyone can win multiple Ballon d'Ors in the coming years, it will be the French prodigy.
Center-forward: Erling Haaland | Borussia Dortmund
Manning the ranks at Borussia Dortmund alongside Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland is already a world-renowned striker.
Standing at 1.94 meters with surprising pace for his height, the Norwegian star has taken the Bundesliga by storm. In just 49 Bundesliga games for Dortmund, Haaland has amassed 49 goals, and he doesn't seem to be slowing down any time soon.
His continental appearances for the BVB outfit are also remarkable, with Haaland picking up 13 goals in 12 Champions League games. Dortmund's inability to win the Bundesliga is largely due to Bayern Munich's presence. But if anyone could give the more-fancied Bavarians a run for their money, it would be Erling Haaland.
Only 21 years old and still far from his prime, Haaland is en-route to becoming the best player in the world.
Right-wing forward: Ansu Fati | Barcelona
Widely regarded as the next Lionel Messi, Ansu Fati is one of the most exciting prospects in world football. At just 18, the star has already picked up Messi's number 10 mantle at the Camp Nou.
Fati joined La Masia when he was just ten years old and rose through the ranks to sign his first professional contract with Barcelona in 2019. The star is notably the youngest player in La Liga history to score and assist in the same game.
Although the wonderkid is placed on the right flank in this list, Fati is quite capable of playing at any position in the final third.
The Spanish international was injured through much of last season. But he's come back from his spell on the sidelines and has already scored two goals in just three league games for Barcelona. How Fati will expand on Messi's legacy in Barcelona is yet to be seen, but he's clearly on his way to becoming Barca's key star.
