N’Golo Kante has been tipped to win the 2021 Ballon d’Or after accomplishing a feat last season that neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Lionel Messi has managed.
That is according to former Manchester United striker Louis Saha, who claimed it would not be a “scandal” if Kante scooped the Ballon d’Or award.
Kante, 30, played an instrumental role in Chelsea’s Champions League triumph last season with his exceptional performances in the semi-finals and final.
The Chelsea midfielder bagged the Man of the Match award across both semi-finals ties against Real Madrid.
And the France international delivered a dominant performance in Chelsea’s 1-0 final win against City in Portugal, with Kante once again receiving the Man of the Match award.
Kante has since carried over his fine form on the international stage with his masterful performance in France’s opening Euro 2020 win over Germany on Tuesday.
Saha lauded the 2018 World Cup winner for his three Man of the Match awards across the Champions League semi-finals and final.
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The 42-year-old Frenchman added that Kante has been “unreal” and insisted that he “plays as two players, playing outside of his role, moving forward and doing things that he’s not supposed to do.”
Saha told GamblingDeals: “If he did [win the Ballon d’Or], I believe he would deserve it. There is no player, not even Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi, that has been man of the match in both legs of the Champions League semi-final and final.
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“Dominating the midfield alone whilst at the same time helping players moving forward. Going forward he was just a force. I haven’t seen anyone do anything like that.
“I do remember some other winners of the Ballon d’Or, no disrespect to them and I won’t name names, but earning this prize, this amazing prize without those types of performances.
“So it would not be a scandal at all if Kante gets his hands on the trophy, he’s been unreal. He plays as two players, playing outside of his role, moving forward and doing things that he’s not supposed to do.
“Those aren’t the characteristics of Messi or Ronaldo, where they stick to their job, scoring goals and amazing individual things, but it’s also about being able to do both. He’s unbelievable.”
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