Ex African POTY names Chelsea star as the favourite to win 2021 Ballon d'Or

Ballon d'Or.

France Football has unveiled a list of thirty players nominated for the prestigious accolade, with Jorginho, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Mohamed Salah, Neymar, N'Golo Kante, Kylian Mbappe and Robert Lewandowski among the nominees.

Many pundits, including Ikpeba, are tipping Jorginho to win the Ballon d'Or after he won the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea and European Championship with Italy this calendar year.

The Brazilian-born midfielder was named UEFA's Player of the Year and also helped Chelsea to win the UEFA Super Cup.

Ikpeba is one of six Nigerian players to have been nominated for the Ballon d'Or, the others being Finidi George, Daniel Amokachi, Austin Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu and Sunday Oliseh.

Speaking on SuperSport's Monday Night Football, Ikpeba stated : "You have the key players, you have Salah, Messi. Jorginho might likely be the Ballon d'Or for 2021.

"I have been privileged to be a nominee many years ago, in 1997, in my days with AS Monaco.

"It is a very rich talented list of players but I think it might just be Jorginho. He is the favourite to win it."

The 2021 Ballon d'Or winner will be announced  in a ceremony that will take place at Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris on November 29.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : chelseafc.com