Ex-Real Madrid star Kaka says Barcelona’s Neymar will win the Ballon d’Or in the near future although that may not be this year.
The 23-year-old is on the shortlist for the award this month along with Cristiano Ronaldo and team mate Leo Messi. It is the first time a Brazilian is in the final three since 2007 – the year former Los Blancos player Kaka was named as the best player in the world while still playing with AC Milan.
The trophy has been split between Ronaldo and Messi for the past seven years with the Argentinean winning it one more time than his Portuguese counterpart.
And speaking to FIFA.com, Kaka said Neymar will be the man to one year take over the mantle as the number one.
“It’s difficult to point out a single reason (for the lack of Brazilians in the final three in recent years), but it must serve to alert Brazilian football. And, truth be told, it’s no easy task to forge a Ballon d’Or winner. Thankfully, Neymar has improved a lot since he’s gone to play in Europe – his game is a lot more mature. Now it’s a matter of time until he reaches first place.”
