It's exhausting, especially when referencing Zidane who went missing for an entire season at Juventus at *checks notes* the age of 26. Zidane was class but people often remember the big moments and forget he could frequently go on streaks where he wouldn't influence the game much at all.
You're absolutely right, we have to choose a BDO winner from amongst the mere mortals now, and consequently, all the candidates seem a bit underwhelming. As you say, we will have to wait until the CL and Euros are done to get a better picture. The bookies have Mbappe, Bellingham, Kane and Foden as the top four (in that order) and the winner will probably come from that group (more the first 3 than Foden, I'd guess), depending on what happens over the next 2 and a half months or so.
Interesting that 3/4 Englishmen are down as favorites. But yeah, Bellingham/Kane would seem ahead of Foden. Personally I can see Mbappe winning it
) domestically and Germany maybe even has a decent EC, I really hope he gets the recognition he deserves in the vote.Mbappe would be my bet as well. I think PSG have a great chance in the CL and Enrique is a canny manager. Obviously France will be one of the strongest teams at the Euros and so Mbappe has the platform to perform there as well.
I know I'm a fan boy but Wirtz has been every bit as good as the Balon D'Or candidates discussed in this thread and could still win a treble, albeit the "small" one, has set up a new record of consecutively unbeaten matches and could finish with an unprecedented unbeaten season across three competitions. If the UCL is won by a German team that came in second (or even fifth
Seems like your first league title does not only go to your club bosses headI know I'm a fan boy but Wirtz has been every bit as good as the Balon D'Or candidates discussed in this thread and could still win a treble, albeit the "small" one, has set up a new record of consecutively unbeaten matches and could finish with an unprecedented unbeaten season across three competitions. If the UCL is won by a German team that came in second (or even fifth
I didn't seen him in action until a few weeks ago, a game here and there. Even when quiet/mediocre it's clear as day he is an absolutely fantastic player.
Yeah, agreed about Mbappe & France.
Seems like your first league title does not only go to your club bosses head
Wirtz is great and I love him but he will at best be in the top 10.
Look at Napoli last year or Ajax a few years ago. They were just as good in the national league, had a great CL run and a few absolutely outstanding players (Osimhen or Kvara for example), yet these players had no chance to win the Balon d'Or.
Wirtz needs to move to a big club before he has the chance to win it.
Even if that scenario happens it would probably also need France and England to go out very early in the EC.Can you blame me?
It is definitely an obstacle that he doesn't play for a club with a huge lobby but I don't think it is impossible. Let's say Dortmund wins the CL, Germany wins the EC, Leverkusen wins the small treble and remains undefeated. I think there would be no way around him. Now the question is how much many achievements you can take away from this ideal scenario before it flips.
Not really. Kroos and Valverde are the starters, the last spot depends on form. Right now Tchouameni is in great form so he plays
I don't think you're dense, so I am led to believe you're posting in bad faith because nobody is compared to Di Stefano for scoring goals over where they are positioned and what they are doing during plays.
Paulinho is one of them, isn't he? He was just like that in his first half season for Barça. I think it's a closer comparison than the one with Di Stéfano, who had Messi's level of talent.
He wasn't good in the recent classico at all. A Haaland like performance except as a midfielder. I'd definitely expect more from him.
Pretty much his only good moment in that game.
Musiala doesn't play like Zidane. Very different players but he is better than Bellingham. All Musiala needs is to better his output, the potential is amazing.
Only the player from the winning team gets the ballond'or . Even if England reach the semi or final without winning it, It is unlikely that Kane, Foden or Bellingham wins it without winning and playing a big role in the UCL. Ditto Mbappe for France.
DiStefano did not have Messi's level of talent. I think the comparison is pretty apt, actually, just in terms of style of play.
Is being a wizard with the ball equal to having great ball carrying dribbling? Because that's the only thing he lacked compared to the others(in fact, his technique was very similar to Pelé's; even better, as his passing skills were superior). He didn't have the same agility and explosiveness of the other three, that's why he didn't produce as many solo runs, but his touch and ball manipulation in tight spaces were not worse. Also, his off ball movement, link up skills, creativity and general understanding of the game were arguably the best among the four. If he had had a more prominent carrer in International football(not his fault), he would be considered as good as Pelé or even better.
His technique was not as good or better than Pele's. Not was he a better passer.
This season..Jude just won his first major league title in La Liga, at 20 years old! And could still win UCL, even likely to.
... Harry Kane is still trophyless, in a much easier Bundesliga
He already won the DFB Pokal with Dortmund 2021. He is ahead of Kane in terms of trophies since he is 18.Jude just won his first major league title in La Liga, at 20 years old! And could still win UCL, even likely to.
... Harry Kane is still trophyless, in a much easier Bundesliga
