"There are many great players around today who can win the Ballon d'Or," Messi told WorldSoccer Magazine in 2018. "In recent years there have just been two, but now players like Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Luis Suarez can compete." Messi finished fifth in the race for that season's Ballon d'Or with Luca Modric winning the top prize, Cristiano Ronaldo coming second and Antoine Griezmann placing third. So how have the players Messi named fared since his endorsement? Mbappe is the final player named by Messi, and undoubtedly the most likely to take the Argentine's baton and win a Ballon d'Or in the future.

Source: Daily Mirror November 16, 2020 08:27 UTC