The fresh blood being tipped as potential Balon d’Or winners include Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe, but what about Arsenal’s star boy, Bukayo Saka?
Is it too soon to suggest Bukayo Saka for the Balon d’Or? (whisper to us in the comments section) Everyone’s response is valid, but I know many people who believe Saka will win the Balon d’Or one day, and William Gallas is one of them.
In reference to how good Saka has been for club and country, the ex-Arsenal star says that there aren’t many as good as Saka at his age, and that he will be in contention for the Balon d’Or sooner rather than later. “With the season that he is having now, I think he is maybe one of the best young players in the world,” Gallas told Genting Casino.
“You’ve got players that are a similar age who are also doing great things. Haaland is twenty two. I put him on the roof (laughs). I think you can put Saka just behind him. There are not too many players that are his age that are having a magnificent season.
“It’s good (Saka’s development). Every season he improves and takes his game to another level. I hope he is going to be one of the players that will challenge for the Balon d’Or in the future because he has the quality for it.”
Saka is having an amazing season for both club and country, but if he wants to be in the discussion for best player, he needs to start winning silverware. With no international competitions and Arsenal out of this season’s cup competition, the only silverware open for the 21-year-old is the Premier League, and winning it could bring the Hale End graduate one step closer to being dubbed the greatest.
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After captaining the Argies in winning the World Cup Messi will probably win it this year.
As for Saka winning it in the future, hopefully he does while playing for The Arsenal.
Yes. Saka would likely need to win Euro or World Cup, to get Balon d’Or
Saka may be on the list to win the young player award, but it’s hyping him a bit too much to suggest he’s up for the top prize. Some time in the future perhaps.
He is capable of winning as he grows into the game
A bit hard to even discuss Saka being in contention for awards like the Balon d’Or, until such time as he can compete for Arsenal in the Champions League.
De Bruyne is actually miles ahead of both of them IMO.
Lets calm down a bit.
Overhype.
No doubt Saka is exceptional and at the present point of time the best right winger in the world, surpassing even Salah. That said, to win the biggest individual prize in football, you need to have titles and winning the PL this season will go a long way in helping him rise in the rankings.
The Balon d’Or is a pointless award that has lost its meaning. Messi will win again even though he was pretty average at the WC and is average for PSG. If he doesn’t win it then Mbappe will. However, getting back to Saka, I think if he can score 20+ then he has a better chance. He’s more important to us than Haaland is to City and more consistent but I’m not sure that means anything.
Messi was not average at the world cup, he and Di Maria were the pillars of the team.
Let’s not put undue pressure on the young man ATM. His time is coming. All he needs is consistency for club and country. Winning trophies will definitely give him chances starting from EPL for Arsenal this season.