3 minutes agoNo big trophy, but among the favourites: Can you win Golden Ball?
Periskopi(41 minutes ago)
(41 minutes ago)Winning a large trophy with the club or the national is often considered among the main criteria for triumph in the Golden Ball race, but history has proved that this is not always a crucial condition.
The prestigious magazine “French Football”, host of the most important individual award in football, has recalled several cases when players won the Golden Ball even without setting up a major team trophy during that year.
The first case was that of George Weah in 1995. The Liberian striker made history by declaring himself the first African football player to win this award, despite having not triumphed in any major competition with the club or national.
His individual presentations with Paris Saint-Germainin and Milan were enough to convince voters.
Five years later, in 2000, the Golden Ball met Luís Figos. Portuguese was rewarded for an extraordinary individual season, even though it had not won any major team trophy.
Another precedent is Cristiano Ronaldo in 2013. The Portuguese star triumphed without a large trophy with Real Madrid, thanks to extraordinary statistics and 69 goals marked during that year.
These cases have reverted the debate over Kylian Mupés, who, although failing to win any major team trophy last season, continues to be considered among the leading candidates for Golden Ball.
Individual presentations, the number of goals and its impact on the game can keep the Frenchman powerful in the race.
It remains to be seen whether Mbppé will follow in the footsteps of Weah, Figos and Ronaldo, winning the most prestigious individual award in football without even a major team trophy.
