Lionel Messi has chosen four players whom he believes will secure the Ballon d'Or in the future

 

Lionel Messi has unveiled his predictions for the future winners of the prestigious Ballon d'Or award, marking a shift from his and Cristiano Ronaldo's domination over the past 15 years.

Just recently, Messi, now playing for Inter Miami, achieved a historic feat by securing his eighth Ballon d'Or award in Paris, further distancing himself from his Portuguese counterpart in terms of accolades. This time, he faced stiff competition from contenders like Manchester City, Erling Haaland, and PSG's Kylian Mbappe before emerging victorious.

When asked about his thoughts on potential future Ballon d'Or winners, Messi shared his insights with L'Equipe. He mentioned, "In recent years, we've witnessed emerging talents who have the potential to claim this coveted title. The competition for the Ballon d'Or is expected to heat up in the coming years, with promising players such as Haaland, Mbappé, and Vinicíus Junior in the mix."

He didn't stop there, acknowledging the rise of young talents by saying, "There are plenty of young players who will be in the running for the Ballon d'Or. I also believe that Lamine Yamal, despite his youth, has already made significant contributions at Barcelona and could become a key contender."

Messi further added, "This heralds the beginning of a new era, with many more talents poised to emerge and compete for the Ballon d'Or. The future of football promises to be exciting."