It’s the biggest individual award in world football, a prize that only the very best of the best can hope to lay claim to. The Ballon d’Or has been handed out annually since 1956, and its list of winners reads like a who’s who of footballing legends. From Messi to Ronaldo, Zidane to Maradona, each winner has left an indelible mark on the game with their incredible talent and skill. But with new players emerging every year, it begs the question – who will be the next big winner? In this post we’ll take a look at some of the top contenders for football’s most coveted prize and predict which superstar might just come out on top in years to come!
History of Ballon-d’Or
The Ballon d’Or is an annual football award given by France Football. It has been awarded since 1956, when the magazine published its first ranking of the best players in Europe. The award was originally given to the best European player, but it was expanded to include all players in the world in 1995.
Cristiano Ronaldo is the current holder of the Ballon d’Or, having won it for a record fourth time in 2016. He is also the only player to have won it four times in a row. Lionel Messi has won it five times, and he is the only other player to have won it more than three times.
Ronaldo and Messi have dominated the award in recent years, winning it nine times between them since 2008. But there are other players who have had success too, including Kaka (2007), Andres Iniesta (2010), and Franck Ribery (2013).
So, who will be the next big winner of the Ballon d’Or? It’s hard to say, but there are a few players who seem to be on track for success. Neymar, Eden Hazard, and Kylian Mbappe are all young stars with bright futures ahead of them. All three have already won major trophies and individual awards, and they are still only in their twenties. So it’s possible that one of them could break Ronaldo and Messi’s dominance and win the Ballon d’Or in the next few years.
A Look at Past Winners
While there is no surefire way to predict who will win the Ballon d’Or in any given year, looking at past winners can give us some insight into what it takes to be crowned the world’s best footballer.
Since its inception in 1956, the award has been won by some of the biggest names in the sport, including Pelé, Diego Maradona, Johan Cruyff, Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. These players have all had extraordinary careers, cementing their place as legends of the game.
So, what do they have in common? Firstly, they are all exceptional talents that have absolutely dominated their respective eras. Secondly, they have all achieved consistently high levels of success over a prolonged period of time, winning multiple league titles and major trophies.
Of course, individual brilliance is not always enough to win the Ballon d’Or; timing is also crucial. Players must peak at the right moment to stand a chance of being nominated for the award. For example, Messi’s five wins have all come when he was at his absolute best – between 2009 and 2013 he was simply unstoppable.
Looking at past winners can give us a good idea of what it takes to be in with a chance of winning the Ballon d’Or. However, predicting who will win it in any given year is still very difficult, making it one of the most prestigious and coveted awards in football.
Factors to Consider When Predicting Future Winners
When predicting the future winner of the Ballon d’Or, there are a number of factors to consider. First and foremost is the player’s individual ability. Obviously, the better the player, the more likely they are to win the award. However, other factors such as team success and media coverage can also play a role in determining who wins the prestigious award.
In terms of individual ability, it is hard to look past Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Both players have been dominating the world of football for over a decade now and show no signs of slowing down. They are both certain to be in contention for the Ballon d’Or for years to come.
However, team success is also an important factor when predicting future winners of the Ballon d’Or. For example, despite being one of the best players in the world, Neymar has failed to win the award because he has not enjoyed much team success at either Barcelona or PSG. In contrast, players like Luka Modric and Antoine Griezmann have won the award after enjoying successful seasons with their clubs.
Another factor to consider is media coverage. Players who receive a lot of media attention are often more likely to win individual awards like the Ballon d’Or. This is because they are more visible to voters and tend to stay in people’s minds during voting periods. For example, players like Kylian Mbappe and Eden Hazard are two of Europe’s.
Who Are the Likely Potential Contenders for the Ballon-d’Or?
If we’re looking at the past few years of Ballon-d’Or winners, it’s clear that the award favors attacking players. In fact, all of the last four winners (Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar, Modric) have been either wingers or strikers. So, if we’re predicting who the next big winner will be, we should look to players who fit that description.
One name that immediately comes to mind is Kylian Mbappe. The 20-year-old Frenchman is already a World Cup winner and he’s only getting better. He’s got speed, skill, and an incredible scoring record. If he can keep up his current form, he’s definitely a contender for the Ballon-d’Or.
Another name to consider is Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian winger had an unbelievable season last year, leading the Premier League in goals scored. He’s not quite at Mbappe’s level yet, but he’s definitely on his way up.
And then there’s Antoine Griezmann. The 28-year-old French striker is coming off a strong World Cup performance and he’s currently playing for one of the best clubs in the world (Barcelona). He doesn’t quite have the same goal-scoring record as Mbappe or Salah, but he’s a well-rounded player who could definitely make a case for himself.
So those are three names to watch out for
Impact of Player Performance and Marketability on Winning Potential
Player performance and marketability are two important factors that can impact a team’s winning potential. If a player is able to perform at a high level and generate interest from fans and the media, they can help their team win more games and compete for championships. Conversely, if a player underperforms or fails to connect with the fans, it can negatively impact their team’s chances of success.
In recent years, we’ve seen how player performance and marketability can affect a team’s fortunes. For example, when Lionel Messi won the Ballon-d’Or in 2009, it helped propel Barcelona to an unprecedented treble of La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Champions League titles. On the other hand, when Cristiano Ronaldo failed to win the award in 2013 and 2014, Real Madrid failed to win any major trophies during those years.
Looking ahead to the future of the Ballon-d’Or, it’s evident that player performance and marketability will continue to be important factors in predicting which team has the best chance of winning. With superstars like Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe in the mix, it’s clear that whoever wins the individual award will likely have a significant impact on their team’s success.
The Role of social media in Players’ Chances to Win
Many people argue that social media has had a negative impact on society, but when it comes to the world of sports, social media can be a powerful tool. In the past, players who wanted to win the Ballon-d’Or had to rely on their performance on the field and their reputation among their peers. However, with the rise of social media, players can now use this platform to connect with fans and build up their personal brand.
In recent years, we’ve seen players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar using social media to great effect. By regularly posting updates and engaging with fans, they’ve been able to increase their popularity and significantly boost their chances of winning the Ballon-d’Or. It’s no coincidence that both Ronaldo and Neymar have won the award in the last few years.
Of course, social media isn’t everything; players still need to perform on the field if they want to have a chance of winning the Ballon-d’Or. However, it’s now more important than ever for players to make sure they’re active on social media if they want to increase their chances of becoming the next big winner.
Predictions for the Next Winner of the Ballon-d’Or
The next big winner of the Ballon-d’Or will likely be a European player, as the last four winners have all been from the continent. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have dominated the award for the past decade, but there are a few players who could challenge them for the title in the next few years.
One player who could be in contention for the Ballon-d’Or is Neymar Jr. The Brazilian star has already won numerous individual awards and is only getting better with age. If he can lead PSG to Champions League glory, he will definitely be in the running for the Ballon-d’Or.
Another player to keep an eye on is Kylian Mbappe. The French youngster is already one of the best players in the world and he’s still only 21 years old. If he can continue his rapid development, he will be a serious contender for the Ballon-d’Or in the future.
So, who do you think will be the next big winner of the Ballon-d’Or?
Conclusion
Predicting the future of who will win the Ballon-d’Or is an exciting task as we make our educated guesses on which player could be considered a front runner for this prestigious award. With so many great players in contention, it can be difficult to choose just one to focus our attention on. Yet, with careful consideration and some insight into how the voting panel makes its decisions, we can begin to narrow down the long list of potential candidates for future years. No matter who ultimately wins in each year that follows, one thing is certain: there will always be debate around who was snubbed and why they should have been chosen instead.