Only Cristiano Ronaldo, while playing for Manchester United, and Liverpool’s Michael Owen have won the Ballon d’Or in the last 46 years while playing for a Premier League team…
Cristiano Ronaldo collected his third Ballon d’Or last night, while long-time rival and four-time victor Lionel Messi finished second. Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer finished third, and there wasn’t a Premier League player to be seen.
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For a league that, with good reason, considers itself to be the best in the world, the Premier League has actually only produced two Ballon d’Or winners in the last 46 years – Ronaldo, back in his Manchester United days, in 2008, and Liverpool’s Michael Owen in 2001.
In fact, England have only won six Ballon d’Or’s since the award came into being in 1956 – Blackpool’s Stanley Matthews and Manchester United trio Dennis Law, Bobby Charlton and George Best the others to taste success.
So who should we be pinning our hopes on in 2015? Here are ten Premier League players that could end the Messi-Ronaldo dominance this year:
10) Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
Has been nominated for the award in the past, and would love to add the Ballon d’Or to his vast trophy collection. At 29, Rooney is towards the back-end of his ‘peak years’, but as captain of club and country, he still has the chance for a huge year.
9) Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
Hazard has spoken openly about his desire to reach that ‘World Class’ group of players which he currently on the periphery of. After a disappointing World Cup with Belgium, the midfielder has been shining again in a Blue shirt this year. He just needs a little bit more consistency to push him over the edge.
8) David de Gea (Manchester United)
The United keeper has been simply supreme so far this season, and is arguably the main reason why the club are as high as they are in the table. Steadily establishing himself as Spain’s number one as well, 2015 could be a huge year for De Gea.
7) Raheem Sterling (Liverpool)
Has been Liverpool’s main man since the summer departure of Luis Suarez, and has already enjoyed an outstanding 2014 – winning the golden boy award. Whether he can kick on from there in 2015 remains to be seen, but boy to the Reds need him to do so!
6) Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea)
The Spaniard has been excellent since arriving at Chelsea in the summer, providing assist after assist for the high-flying Blues. If he can help lead them to success on multiple fronts in 2015, he could have a strong case.
5) Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
Where would Arsenal be without Alexis Sanchez so far this season? Whatever success the Gunners enjoy in 2015, the Chilean is undoubtedly going to play a huge part in it. He may have been in the shadows at Barcelona, but now people are seeing his class.
4) Yaya Toure (Manchester City)
If any African player has ever deserved to win the Ballon d’Or that Yaya Toure, we can’t remember them! The Ivorian was supreme in 2014, leading City to a league and cup double, while scoring goals for fun from midfield.
3) Angel di Maria (Manchester United)
Man of the match in the Champions League final, and one of the star’s of Argentina’s run to the World Cup final, Di Maria had an excellent 2014, and after battling back from injury, he will hope to replicate that form with United this year.
2) Diego Costa (Chelsea)
After leading Atletico Madrid to the La Liga title and the Champions League final last season, the Spaniard made the switch to Chelsea in the summer, and has hit the ground running at Stamford Bridge. If he continues that form, and leads the Blues to success, he has every chance.
1) Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
The Argentine is undoubtedly among the very best players in the world. With 19 goals in 22 games so far this season, he has fired City to Premier League title contention and the Last 16 of the Champions League. If he can stay fit, he will undoubtedly have another huge year in 2015.
SEE ALSO: Lionel Messi career in pictures – ten years since Barcelona star’s debut!