Title: “Future Contenders: Who Could Break Lionel Messi’s Record for Ballon d’Or Trophies?”
Subtitle: “As Lionel Messi secures his eighth Ballon d’Or trophy, a look at the potential challengers to his record”
By Pierre Herubel – Renowned SEO Writer and Expert in English Language
Lionel Messi, a legendary player of his generation, has almost certainly won his final Ballon d’Or trophy. Now playing for Inter Miami at the age of 36, Messi’s eight prestigious awards place him well above his closest rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, who has won the award five times. Given such dominance, it seems unlikely that we will witness another player of Messi’s caliber in the near future.
However, records are meant to be broken. Who among today’s players has the potential to surpass Messi’s record? Sporting News analyzes various factors such as age, club situation, national team standing, position, and skillset to determine the most likely contenders. Here’s a list of players who have won the Ballon d’Or more than once:
– Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 8 times: (2009, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’15, ’19, ’21, ’23)
– Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – 5 times: (2008, ’13, ’14, ’16, ’17)
– Michel Platini (France) – 3 times: (1983, ’84, ’85)
– Johan Cruyff (Netherlands) – 3 times: (1971, ’73, ’74)
– Marco van Basten (Netherlands) – 3 times: (1988, ’89, ’92)
– Franz Beckenbauer (Germany) – 2 times: (1972, ’76)
– Alfredo Di Stefano (Spain) – 2 times: (1957, ’59)
– Kevin Keegan (England) – 2 times: (1978, ’79)
– Ronaldo Nazario (Brazil) – 2 times: (1997, ’02)
– Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (Germany) – 2 times: (1989, ’81)
With Messi seemingly untouchable, let’s explore the potential contenders to his throne:
5. Vinicius Jr – Real Madrid / Brazil
The Brazilian international has shown promise, but he still has work to do to be considered a serious contender. Vinicius Jr could challenge for multiple Ballon d’Or trophies if he takes over the goalscoring duties at Real Madrid and establishes himself as a key player for the national team.
4. Gavi – Barcelona / Spain
At just 19, Gavi has already made a name for himself as a two-way midfielder with exceptional talent. While not a prolific goal scorer, he could become the best midfielder in the world and maintain that level for over a decade. However, with Barcelona currently struggling, he may find it challenging to compete for the Ballon d’Or against other goal-scoring young talents.
3. Kylian Mbappe – PSG / France
Mbappe has long been seen as the heir-apparent to Messi and Ronaldo. With a World Cup title already under his belt, he has the leadership qualities and talent to challenge for the Ballon d’Or. However, with the rise of young talents across Europe, Mbappe may have missed his opportunity to kick off his challenge for Messi’s mantle.
2. Erling Haaland – Man City / Norway
Haaland’s goal-scoring abilities make him an enticing candidate for the Ballon d’Or. However, playing for a country that is not among the world’s elite and missing out on the individual award for a record-breaking season may hinder his chances of surpassing Messi’s record.
1. Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid / England
Bellingham’s rise to superstardom aligns perfectly with Messi and Ronaldo’s departure from the game. At just 20, he has already made a significant impact at Real Madrid, showcasing his goal-scoring and assisting abilities. As part of a rising England team, Bellingham has a chance to shine on the international stage and become a serious threat to Messi’s record.
In conclusion, while Lionel Messi’s record seems nearly untouchable, there are promising players who could challenge his legacy. Vinicius Jr, Gavi, Mbappe, Haaland, and Bellingham have shown the potential to reach great heights in their careers. Only time will tell if they can break Messi’s remarkable record and redefine football greatness.
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