Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has witnessed first-hand that he has a key player who has been tipped to win the Ballon d’Or award in the future.
The Red Devils have had only four players who have won the sought-after Ballon d’Or prize during their respective legendary playing spells at Manchester United.
United’s beloved Holy Trinity of Sir Bobby Charlton, George Best and Denis Law all put their hands on France Football’s distinguished award in their iconic careers.
The Red Devils last saw a Ballon d’Or recipient at Old Trafford when Cristiano Ronaldo lifted the first of his five awards from France Football.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s superstar rise at United in his first spell at Old Trafford under Sir Alex Ferguson saw him capture France Football’s prized award in 2008.
The United legend added a further four Ballon d’Ors to his name during his prolific spell at Real Madrid and dominated the podium with Lionel Messi for a decade.
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Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim looks on during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Manchester United at the Vitality Stadium in 2025 in Bournemouth.
Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images
Ruben Amorim can shape a Ballon d’Or winner at Old Trafford and the Man Utd manager is the right man to do it
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi’s stranglehold over the Ballon d’Or award is now over and it has finally paved the way for other players to challenge for the award.
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Manchester United fans might not need to wait too long to see another player follow in the footsteps of Ronaldo by capturing France Football’s award at Old Trafford.
But there is still time for that to play out and Ruben Amorim could be the man to finally set that up for Amad Diallo by helping the United winger prepare for his peak.
Amad Diallo initially struggled to establish himself as a key United first-team player under former Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag during the Dutchman’s reign.
But not even Erik ten Hag could continue to overlook the 22-year-old Ivorian winger and Amad was able to kick down the door for the first team by making himself noticed.
Ten Hag’s sacking as United manager in 2024 only benefited Amad’s development more by paving the way for Ruben Amorim’s arrival from Sporting CP last November.
Amorim took the exact opposite approach to Ten Hag — and rightfully so — by making the Ivory Coast international a crucial figure in his tactical system.
Amad’s spell was hindered last season by injuries, but the former Atalanta man proved a point that Amorim does rate him and now he can develop further.
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Man Utd winger Amad Diallo has been tipped as a future Ballon d’Or winner and it could become a reality under Ruben Amorim
Amad Diallo was a standout performer in an otherwise lacklustre 2024-25 season for United, with the Ivorian netting 11 times and registering 10 assists in 43 matches.
The talented Red Devils attacker also showed his versatility in Amorim’s tactical system for United, including playing as a wing-back under the ex-Sporting CP boss.
Amad first arrived at Old Trafford in 2021 under former United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after the Red Devils signed him from Serie A outfit Atalanta.
Giovanni Galli crossed paths with Amad when he was sporting director at Lucchese and noticed the player’s potential at youth level when he was with Boca Barco.
Speaking to Goal in 2021, the former Fiorentina shot-stopper said: “Amad is unique, but he must make himself stronger.
“At the same time, he must make sure he does not lose his speed, which is a quality that distinguishes him from others.”
Giovanni Galli added: “In short, I think he has all the qualities to be a candidate for the Ballon d’Or in the next five years.”
Amad inked a new contract with United back in January and the former Atalanta man’s potential of becoming a future Ballon d’Or now lies in the hands of Amorim.
The United winger is now set to stay at Old Trafford until 2030 and Amad’s status as a future Ballon d’Or winner could still come to fruition with his remarkable ability.