Ex-Super Eagles coach picks Saka, Yamal, and 3 others as surefire Ballon d’Or candidates

Former Super Eagles head coach, Sunday Oliseh, has listed five players he believes are destined for Ballon d’Or glory this year, Soccernet.ng reports.

Taking to his official X (formerly Twitter) page, the former Nigerian international praised a group of rising football stars for their unique playing styles and fantastic performances for their clubs.

Oliseh named England’s Bukayo Saka, Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, Georgia’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Brazil’s Raphinha, and France’s Ousmane Dembele as his top picks for this year's Ballon d’Or recognition.

“Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has so much vision, Raphinha makes it look effortlessly easy, Saka is so nimble-footed it is beautiful, Dembele is for me in company of Lamine Yamal — Ballon d’Or sure candidates,” Oliseh wrote while replying to a fan who commented on his social media post.

Get Our Sports News First – Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!

Read More:

• Teenage Prodigies: Désiré Doué and Lamine Yamal draw praise from ex-Super Eagles midfielder
• Ex-Super Eagles star Taye Taiwo tells Inter Milan what to do to oust Barcelona from Champions League
• Is Lamine Yamal better than Messi? Afrobeat star drops his opinion

The former Ajax and Juventus midfielder added that these players' current level of skill and creativity has rekindled his love for watching football.

“I am finally able to be fixated on the TV for ninety minutes thanks to these kinda players,” he added.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has so much vision,Raphinha makes it look effortlessly easy,Saka is so nimble footed it is beautiful, Dembele is for me in company of Lamine Yamal Ballon D'or sure candidates… i am finally able to be fixated on the TV for ninety minutes thanks to this…

— Sunday Oliseh (@SundayOOliseh) May 1, 2025

It is not in doubt that Yamal will be one of the players considered for the prestigious award this season following his outstanding performances for his club.

So far, Hansi Flick's men are on the verge of scooping the La Liga title, while they will be looking to defeat Inter Milan today to advance to the final of the UEFA Champions League competition.