All eyes are on 30-year-old Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante, who is a
hot newcomer contender to win the Ballon d’Or 2021.
A solid performance at Euros 2020 would help secure the gong for Kante, which would mean he had taken nine years after his senior debut to scoop the prize.
New research by OnlineGambling.com investigates how long it has taken past and potential Ballon d’Or winners to win the prize. :
For instance, Ronaldo holds the record for the youngest and speediest winner, taking only 4 years. Lionel Messi who is eyeing up his seventh Ballon d’Or, first won in 2009, 6 years after his debut.
If Kylian Mbappe, another top contender for this years award, wins, he would have taken just 5 years from debut (beating legends Kaka, Messi, Zidane & 14 others.
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A first time win for Erling Haaland at 21, means it would have taken 6 years from his debut
The Ballon d’Or wasn’t awarded in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. But now, the most prestigious individual trophy in world football is set to be awarded again, with Lionel Messi dreaming of a seventh, and a flock of youthful superstars dreaming of unseating the veteran who is an overwhelming favourite.
The OnlineGambling.com research has looked into past legends to work out how long. after their professional debuts, it took each of them to win.
Topping the list is Brazil icon Ronaldo, who at 21 years old won his first Ballon d’Or, just four years after his senior debut, making him the fastest and youngest winner.
Real Madrid’s Modrić is the “slowest” player to scoop the award, waiting 15 years after his senior debut.
Will one of the newer faces on the scene sweep up the award this year? How long would it have taken them? If Kylian Mbappe or Erling Haaland were to win this year, they would go straight onto the top five prodigy
list.
What will decide how the Ballon d’Or is awarded? Apart from their club performances, the footballers need to give their all for their respective national teams if they are to win the Ballon d’Or, which will be awarded in December in Paris.
The performance of those at Euro 2020 will paint a clearer picture for voters in the autumn. Messi is also involved at international level with Argentina in the Copa America.
Nonetheless, the way they start next season will play a role in the vote. The margins could be tighter than ever in the 2021 vote, as none of the star names seem to be in a position to win by a huge margin from the other contenders.
