Cristiano Ronaldo breaks silence and reveals the names of four top footballers who might win the Ballon d’Or award this year

Real Madrid and Manchester United player Cristiano Ronaldo told Rio Ferdinand that four other players could win the Ballon d’Or award like he did.

The famous Portuguese forward, now 39 years old, won France Football’s prestigious Ballon d’Or award an amazing five times during his career.

The first of Cristiano Ronaldo’s five Ballon d’Or awards was given to him during his most productive time at Old Trafford, when Sir Alex Ferguson was manager.

For ten years, the legend from Manchester United and the hero from Barcelona, Lionel Messi, shared the top spot on the Ballon d’Or podium.

From 2008 to 2018, Lionel Messi and Cristiano were tied for the Ballon d’Or. Six years ago, Real Madrid star Luka Modric won the award.

Ronaldo won the Ballon d’Or award for the last time in 2017, near the end of his great career with Real Madrid.

Messi holds the record for the most Ballon d’Or wins in history. The former Barcelona star has won the award an amazing eight times.

Ronaldo on possible winners of the Ballon d’Or
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo haven’t been in the running for France Football’s most prestigious award since 2003. The 2024 Ballon d’Or is the first time that neither of them has been in the running.

France Football came up with a 30-person group for the 2024 Ballon d’Or last week. The winner will be announced in Paris in October.

Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid are two of the top contenders for the Ballon d’Or. Rodri of Manchester City is also in the running.

Cristiano Ronaldo said that he thinks players like Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, and Erling Haaland will be in the running for the Ballon d’Or award in the future.

He also mentioned Lamine Yamal, a star player for Spain and Barcelona who made a name for himself at Euro 2024, as another serious candidate for the award in the future.

Ronaldo did not include United star Alejandro Garnacho, who has a lot of respect for Ronaldo, as a possible Ballon d’Or winner.

“The next Golden Ball for a few years.” Ronaldo said on his YouTube account, “For sure [Erling] Haaland and [Jude] Bellingham, [Kylian Mbappe].”

Rio Ferdinand added, “[Vinicius] Junior,” to his old United teammate’s predictions.

Ronaldo went on, “Lamine [Yamal].” I think this new generation has a lot of promise, but I think he’ll do a great job.

Ferdinand wants Vinicius Junior to win the award.

Ferdinand, a former player for United, made it clear in July that he thought Vinicius Junior should win the Ballon d’Or for his great season with Real Madrid.

Before the Euro 2024 final, he said, “I don’t think anyone else has done anything to suggest that should be changed [Vini Jr. should win the award].”

“In the Champions League final, I think Vinicius was the most important player.” He helped Real win the league and the Champions League a lot.

“Vinicius was the one who gave them inspiration in the big moments when they needed it. He might have been in the running if Toni Kroos had led Germany to the final.

“Listen up, Jude. If he keeps playing like that and scoring goals like those, and England makes it to the final and wins it, he’ll definitely be in the mix as well.”