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With only three defenders ever winning the Ballon d'Or, the skewed nature of the honor has been called out multiple times. It has predominantly been a goalscorer's award. Stats that reflect direct and indirect goal contributions often weigh heavier than stats that show a solidity and impenetrative nature in the rearguard.
Only nine defenders have made it to the podium for the Ballon d'Or award and every time the odds against that rare event have been quite high. Naturally, when the young and promising talent of this generation is observed, one is only willing to bring the forwards to the debate of potential winners of Ballon d'Or.
Some exciting defenders have a shot at winning the Ballon d'Or in future
However, there are some defenders who represent some of the elite clubs in Europe and have been essential to their side's domestic and continental success. They are in high demand around Europe and clubs acknowledge that their quality can only be bought with some serious amount of cash.
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These defenders have fulfilled the demands of the modern game and have owned their respective positions with pride. Most of them represent clubs that compete for every trophy they participate in and that surely boosts their chances of winning a Ballon d'Or. On that note, here are five defenders who may win the Ballon d'Or in the future:
#5 Jules Kounde
Born in Paris, adored in Seville and wanted in England. For a 22-year old, Jules Kounde is off to a flying start in his career. The Sevilla player is among the most highly rated and top-priced defenders today and all that fame is well deserved.
Fulfilling the demands of the modern game, Kounde is a ball-playing defender who enjoys charging down the field to help with quicker transitions. In fact, he uses his nimble-feet with great effect to dribble past players as well. Ballon d'Or likes some stats, doesn't it? Kounde registered 30 successful dribbles in La Liga last season and his skills were delightful to watch.
Last season, the Sevilla star attempted more passes (2351) in La Liga than any other centre-half. His successful short passes (2024) were also higher than other defenders in the division. Even though he is not the tallest or does not have the most imposing frame, his giant leap makes him an aerial threat throughout the game.
Champions League winners Chelsea are the front-runners to sign the Frenchman. Kounde has already started getting game time with the French national team and was important in their UEFA Nations League triumph.
A move to Chelsea or a more competitive club domestically and in the Champions League will surely improve his shot at the Ballon d'Or.
#4 Achraf Hakimi
PSG may have got their hands on Lionel Messi, Sergio Ramos and Gianluigi Donnarumma among others but Achraf Hakimi seems like the best recruit of the lot. Messi seems to be on track to add to his Ballon d'Or collection with the seventh of the lot, but his team-mate feels like a deserving candidate for the future.
The Real Madrid academy graduate only made 17 appearances for the Spanish giants. However, away from his boyhood club, Hakimi's displays have put him right on top in the debate for the best full-backs in the world. The right-back was a revolution under Antonio Conte at Inter Milan and was one of the most important players during their title run last season.
His explosive pace sees him leave defenders gasping for breath way too often. He loves cutting in from that right flank and his eye for the goal is quite exceptional. Last season at Inter, Hakimi contributed with seven goals and 10 assists, while in 2019-20 at Dortmund he registered three goals and 10 assists. Numbers that should impress those handing over Ballon d'Or every year if they decide to consider defenders prominently.
He ensures that being on the attacking front does not cost his team in defense with his quick and intelligent back-tracking. He has justified his €60 million price tag and the 23-year old will only get more expensive from here.
#3 Alphonso Davies
If recording the fastest speed on the football pitch was a criteria for winning the Ballon d'Or, Alphonso Davies would have the award on display at home already. Last year, he gave us a teaser of his true potential and it left football fans in awe of the 21 year-old.
A great dribbler of the ball and comfortable while moving with it at pace, Davies loves to take on defenders one-on-one. His average position over the course of 90 mins is sometimes in the opposition half and he is ridiculously effective in the final-third.
The Canadian star was included in the FIFA FIFPro World XI in 2020 at the age of 20 and that goes on to show that he can challenge for the Ballon d'Or in the future. His stats don't justify the glorious football he plays. He was a crucial part of Bayern Munich's treble-winning side in 2019-20.
The longer he remains associated with the Bavarians, the more chances he has of collecting trophies and staying in the race to win the Ballon d'Or. In his 28 appearances for Canada, Davies has been absolutely prolific producing 10 goals and 16 assists.
#2 Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold is so often regarded as the best right-back in the Premier League and certainly one of the best in Europe. The Englishman is not short of fans and admirers who would love to see him win the Ballon d'Or. He belongs to a rare breed of defenders who bring creativity in excess to a team.
He does not get bored of firing in crosses and sending in passes from the wide-right side while strolling beyond the halfway-line. He has produced many moments of quality from dead-ball situations as well.
Alexander-Arnold was unlucky to miss out on the England side that finished as runners-up at Euro 2020 due to injury.
The 23-year old has shown before that he can produce a season that satisfies the criteria for the Ballon d'Or. 16 assists and one goal in 40 matches in Liverpool's Champions League-winning 2018-19 campaign saw Alexander-Arnold burst onto the scene.
He followed up the 2019-20 season with four goals and 13 assists in 38 Premier League matches. For reference, in Luka Modric's 2018 Ballon d'Or winning campaign, the No.10 scored two goals and provided nine assists in 43 matches.
The Reds continue to look formidable under Jurgen Klopp and as long as their chances of winning silverware don't die, the right-back's chances of winning the Ballon d'Or won't. Alexander-Arnold made the shortlist in 2019 and in the future he will only move closer to the award.
#1 Ruben Dias
If Jose Mourinho calls you the best centre-back in the world and you win the Premier League Player of the Season award in your first season, you are indeed special. Ballon d'Or winning special? Certainly, Ruben Dias cannot be left behind in the list of defenders who have the potential to win the Ballon d'Or.
The defender came from SL Benfica and settled at Manchester City without fretting one bit. He understood the responsibility and delivered on expectations game after game. With Dias commanding the back-line, City reached their first Champions League final albeit losing to Chelsea back in May.
The Portuguese has been a colossal figure for Manchester City and has even worn the captain's armband on a few occasions. In the 50 appearances he made for City last season, they kept a clean sheet in 25 of them.
Not afraid to go shoulder to shoulder with anyone, the defender shows great confidence in his tackles and his anticipation helps him make crucial interceptions. He has been important for City in aerial duels and clears the threat in the air quite effectively. With him in the team, Man City's winning rate last season was 78 per cent.
Dias has made the cut to the 30-man shortlist for the Ballon d'Or 2021, but his chances of a podium finish are non-existent. However, Dias certainly has the potential to knock on the doors for the Ballon d'Or in the future.
