The race for the 2026 Ballon d'Or will be a fascinating one. While domestic trophies, such as the Champions League, will always play a role in voting, the World Cup will surely be the biggest influencer.
As such, it's hard to know who will be the next winner. As things stand, names like Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal, and even Arsenal's Declan Rice are in the conversation – as is current holder Ousmane Dembele.
However, former Gunners right-back Bacary Sagna has instead named a Manchester City star as a future winner in his eyes.
Sagna Names a Future Ballon d'Or Winner
Bacary Sagna of Arsenal looks onPhoto courtesy of Reuters.
Sagna played 284 times for the Gunners, proving to be a reliable right-back as he won one FA Cup with the north London club in 2014. He then joined Manchester City, lifting the League Cup in 2016, making 86 appearances with the Cityzens.
With allegiances to both clubs, he appars to have been blown away by one talent in the Premier League right now. That man is Rayan Cherki. As quoted by Goal, Sagna backed the 'special' player as a future Ballon d'Or winner:
"Cherki is special. You can tell by the way he plays he is a showman. He’s entertaining the whole crowd! He is the type of player you go to the stadium to watch, to be able to witness this level of talent. He’s just a joy to watch. He's creative, very natural, and I like that he’s always playing with a smile. He's the type of technical player that can unlock situations, which not many players are able to do.
"You can see he’s from the street by the way he plays. He reminds me of the Brazilian players with the ability to dribble, play and have a good touch. I'm a lover of street football players because it's pure natural skill. I think he can definitely win the Ballon d’Or in the future and he’s still got time on his side as he’s still very young."
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Cherki's Debut Season at Man City
Rayan Cherki in action for Manchester City
The Manchester City star has had a very impressive frst season in England, winning both the League Cup and the FA Cup. Pep Guardiola seems to be happy with the player as well, praising him highly in April 2026:
“These players have this ability to play with the rhythm of the opponents and the vision to make the extra pass, this is what defines the best.”
However, despite 10 goals and picking up 15 assists in all competitions, the Frenchman was unable to help Man City win the Premier League. Instead, Sagna's other former club, Arsenal, won the title, which makes it all the more surprising that the retired right-back didn't suggest a player from north London as a future Ballon d'Or winner.