2023-12-14 15:10:59
(Paris) Who to take over from Lionel Messi? After the 8th Ballon d’Or obtained by the legendary Argentinian in 2023, which might be the last, there is no shortage of contenders to take over, from Kylian Mbappé to Erling Haaland via the two Englishmen Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane.
Published at 10:10 a.m.
Keyvan NARAGHI Agence France-Presse
Despite a very average season under the colors of PSG, the former Barça No.10 took advantage of his world title with Argentina to once once more capture the supreme reward on an individual level. Now away from European pitches and exiled to Inter Miami in MLS in a second or even third tier championship, his chances of still registering his name on the list seem very slim.
Messi (36 years old) will certainly have the opportunity to shine with the Albiceleste in the Copa America next summer (June 20 – July 16) but even in the event of a notable performance, he will inevitably be eclipsed by those of his rivals in the Champions League. champions and especially during Euro-2024 (June 14 – July 14 in Germany) which will act as justice of the peace for obtaining the coveted Ballon d’Or.
Asked regarding his hopes of lifting the trophy a ninth time, the Argentinian kicked in following the ceremony which took place at the end of October in Paris.
“I’m not thinking regarding the long-term future, I’m going to take advantage of what happens day by day. We have a Copa America in the United States, where I play now, and we are the defending champions so I can’t wait to get to this Copa America, take it little by little and see how I feel day following day day,” he declared.
Messi aside and his rival Cristiano Ronaldo also in golden early retirement in Saudi Arabia (Al-Nassr), eyes are obviously turning towards the Haaland-Mbappé duo, the immediate pursuers of the “Pulga” in the ranking in 2023. The two attackers have for them youth (23 years old for Haaland, 25 years old on December 20 for Mbappé) and frightening statistics.
Haaland absent from the Euro
PHOTO RUI VIEIRA, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
Norwegian Erling Haaland (center)
The Norwegian from Manchester City finished the 2022-2023 financial year with 56 goals, two more than the 2018 world champion. But this season, he will only be able to rely on his record at club to make the difference, his country having failed to qualify for Euro-2024.
PHOTO FRANCK FIFE, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Kylian Mbappé
Enough to pave the way for Mbappé? The Frenchman will be one of the big stars of the next European Championship, the only major tournament missing from his collection with the Blues, and still remains in the race with PSG in the Champions League. After a sluggish first group phase, however, he will have to raise the slider several notches to allow his team to see further than the round of 16.
“A player like Kylian, I’m sure he will win many Ballons d’Or,” his coach Luis Enrique wants to believe in any case.
But Haaland and Mbappé had better be wary of the English duo Bellingham-Kane, spearhead of the “Three Lions”, big favorites for the Euro with the France team.
PHOTO JASON CAIRNDUFF, ACTION IMAGES VIA REUTERS
Harry Kane
Having remained in his cocoon at Tottenham for a long time, Kane took a risk at 30 by leaving his comfort zone to join Bayern Munich. But the England captain was quick to prove that he was undoubtedly one of the best center forwards on the planet (26 goals with the Bavarian club).
Next summer in his new adopted country, he will be keen to erase the disillusionment of the 2022 World Cup and its penalty missed in the quarter-final once morest the Blues (2-1).
PHOTO ODD ANDERSEN, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Jude Bellingham (in black)
Bellingham, a prodigy midfielder (20 years old) with a penchant for goal, has become in the space of a few months one of the leaders of Real Madrid, whom he joined from Borussia Dortmund for 103 million euros.
“He can make the difference. At such a young age, with the maturity, the quality and the aggression he has, he is scary,” says his compatriot Kieran Trippier. Enough to tremble those who, like him, covet the throne left vacant by Messi.
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