Cristiano Ronaldo predicts four potential future winners of Ballon d’Or award as one Man Utd star is snubbed from picks

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Cristiano Ronaldo told former Manchester United teammate Rio Ferdinand that there are four players who could follow in his footsteps and win the Ballon d’Or award.

The 39-year-old Portuguese forward captured France Football’s sought-after Ballon d’Or prize an incredible five times in his legendary playing career.

Cristiano Ronaldo lifted the first of his five Ballon d’Or awards during his first prolific spell at Old Trafford under legendary former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Manchester United legend dominated the Ballon d’Or podium with Barcelona icon Lionel Messi during a decade-long period in football.

Lionel Messi and Ronaldo had a deadlock over the Ballon d’Or award from 2008 to 2018, with Real Madrid star Luka Modric capturing the award six years ago.

Ronaldo last lifted the Ballon d’Or award back in 2017 towards the tail end of his illustrious Real Madrid playing spell.

Messi is the outright record holder for most Ballon d’Or wins in history, with the former Barcelona superstar lifting the award an unprecedented eight times.

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Ronaldo on future Ballon d’Or winners

The 2024 Ballon d’Or award is the first time that neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo have made the shortlist for France Football’s coveted prize since 2003.

France Football announced the 30-man shortlist for the 2024 Ballon d’Or last week and will present the winner with the award in Paris in October.

Real Madrid stars Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior are among the leading candidates to win the Ballon d’Or, with Manchester City star Rodri also in contention.

Cristiano Ronaldo admitted that he expects the likes of Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland to challenge for the Ballon d’Or award in the future.

The former Manchester United superstar also namechecked Spain and Barcelona star Lamine Yamal, who made a name for himself at Euro 2024, as another serious contender for the award in the future.

However, Ronaldo left out United star Alejandro Garnacho, who widely admires the Portugal legend, as a potential winner of the Ballon d’Or award.

“The next Golden Ball for the next [few] years. Him [Kylian Mbappe], probably [Erling] Haaland, [Jude] Bellingham,” Ronaldo said on his YouTube channel.

Injecting his former United teammate’s predictions, Rio Ferdinand added: “[Vinicius] Junior.”

Ronaldo continued: “Lamine [Yamal]. I think this new generation, they have a lot of potential, but I believe that he’s gonna do it really well.”

READ MORE: Rio Ferdinand reveals Sir Alex Ferguson showed him blueprint to stop legendary striker who was in ‘crazy form’

Ferdinand backing Vinicius Junior for award

Speaking back in July, United legend Ferdinand made his feelings clear that Vinicius Junior should lift the Ballon d’Or after his impactful season with Real Madrid.

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

“I think Vinicius was the most decisive player [in the Champions League final]. He was a huge part of why Real won the league and won the Champions League.

“The big moments when they needed inspiration, he [Vinicius] was the guy that provided that. If Toni Kroos got Germany to the final, he could have been in the running.

“Listen, Jude, if he starts performing and continues scoring goals that he scored in that vein and England get to the final and win it, he’s definitely going to be in the shake-up as well.”