Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba believes N’Golo Kante would be a worthy winner of the Ballon d’Or after guiding Chelsea to the UEFA Champions League trophy.
Kante was very instrumental to Chelsea’s European glory and was named man of the match in both semi-final legs against La Liga giants Real Madrid as well as the 1-0 final win over Man City.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated the award – which gives honour to the best player in football – in recent times, winning 11 of the past 12 Ballon d’Ors.
But, with neither players reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League, Pogba feels that they do not have a strong claim to even be in contention.
And while the European championship will no doubt come into consideration, Pogba believes Kante has already done enough to get his hands on the prize.
‘What I would like to say to the whole world is that the “NG” we have seen in recent months has always been the same,’ Paul Pogba told Eurosport France’s FC Stream Team podcast.
‘We talk a lot about his performances but he has always been as good as ever. ‘There was no Cristiano and Messi in the semi-final, so it’s good to see the performances of the midfielders or even the defenders.
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‘I said a long time ago that it would be appropriate, if Chelsea won, for him to win the Ballon d’Or. It would be deserved, too.’
Kante and Pogba will play together as part of Didier Deschamps’ France side in the Euros, having won the World Cup in 2018.
Karim Benzema has returned to the France squad and they go into the event as pre-tournament favourites.
‘We have a PlayStation team but it will remain a PlayStation team if we don’t win a trophy,’ added Pogba. ‘We have to live up to expectations and there’ll be even more expected with Karim’s return. It’s nice to see a team sheet like that…
‘It’s always an honour but you always have to be present on the pitch. ‘Being world champions and having a team like that, we will be expected to do even more.’
