Hasselbaink backs Saka as a Ballon d’Or contender
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink believes that Bukayo Saka should be considered among the frontrunners for the Ballon d’Or alongside Harry Kane and Declan Rice. The former Chelsea striker, who was part of the England coaching setup from 2023 to 2024, asserts that Saka has a legitimate chance to claim the prestigious individual award, reports BritPanorama.
No English player has lifted the Ballon d’Or since Michael Owen in 2001, marking a 25-year drought. However, the outstanding performances of Kane and Rice at their respective clubs have sparked discussions about whether 2026 could be the year to end this wait.
In a recent interview on talkSPORT Breakfast, Hasselbaink lauded the efforts of both Kane and Rice. He stated, “I think Declan Rice has been more or less perfect, as perfect as he can be over the whole season.” Kane, having scored an astonishing 45 goals across all competitions for Bayern Munich this season, sits just behind Kylian Mbappé in the Ballon d’Or rankings among bookmakers.
Rice has been key in Arsenal’s campaign for their first league title since 2004, furthering the conversation regarding their potential candidacy for football’s top accolade. “But then, if you look at what Harry Kane is doing in Germany – it’s just ridiculous. So, either one of the two is good for me,” Hasselbaink added.
When the focus shifted to England’s starting lineup for the 2026 World Cup, Hasselbaink did not hesitate in naming Saka as the prime candidate for the right-wing position, asserting that he would be “very, very close behind them, or in that same group” when discussing the Ballon d’Or race. This endorsement highlights Saka’s role as a vital player in England’s squad across recent major tournaments.
This season, Saka’s statistics show eight goals and seven assists from 36 appearances, a decline compared to the previous year’s 12 goals and 14 assists from 37 matches. Nevertheless, his importance to Arsenal is clear, especially as they currently sit five points ahead in the Premier League while pursuing a potential Quadruple. His contributions have been acknowledged with a significant new contract, making him Arsenal’s highest-paid player at over £300,000 per week.
As the narrative unfolds, the perception of Saka’s burgeoning status at both the club and international levels positions him as a player to watch in the upcoming awards. The weight of expectation may rest heavily, but for a young talent such as Saka, the journey towards greatness is often accompanied by equally thrilling prospects.
