The challenge was simple for our CricketSoccer writers – predict the winners of the Champions League, Ballon d’Or and the World Cup in 2018
Champions League
Real Madrid will be looking to win the trophy for the third consecutive season but there have been signs of deterioration. Therefore my money is not on them but on their arch-rivals Barcelona, who look stronger than ever this term.
Winner: Barcelona
Ballon d’Or
The winner of the Ballon d’Or is probably the player that leads his team to glory at the World Cup in Russia. In that case, Brazil star Neymar has to be an early frontrunner as his country looks a force to be reckoned with. The Argentina side of Lionel Messi is far less capable so Neymar could well become the one to end the Messi/Ronaldo duopoly.
Winner: Neymar
World Cup
We will see surprise teams, shock knockouts amongst various other storylines. The most important storyline of all, however, will be who will win the World Cup. For me, it’s Brazil.
Winner: Brazil
Champions League
Madrid is sucking hard in LaLiga, but they have the uncanny ability to bounce back every season. The top three Champions League candidates are obvious: PSG, whose spending last summer should pay-off in the knock-out rounds and both Manchester City and Barcelona, who possess the wits, the skill, the talent on the bench and a line-up of superstars performing like clockwork.
Winner – Manchester City
Ballon d’Or
The Ballon d’Or fight should go straight to Lionel Messi… but, again, so should’ve happened last season, and the one before it. If Barça manages to win the Champions League and Argentina gets to the last stretch of the World Cup alive, though, it will surely be awarded to Leo.
Winner – Lionel Messi
World Cup
There are a lot of excellent national sides who could surprise us with a huge upset: Spain, Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany…how to unbiasedly predict an unpredictable outcome? Therefore, let’s finish with my high hopes in regards to Spain’s performance in the tournament: with young, talented players and some of the best midfielders in the world, it is time for them to return to the greatness that made them conquer the trophy eight years ago.
Winner – Spain
Champions League
For the first time in a while the winner could be a surprise. Manchester City and Paris Saint Germain who have never really been considered serious competitors are more likely than ever to finally claim silverware this time around. I would also name Barcelona as well as the rejuvenated Bayern Munich under the command of Jupp Heynckes.
Winner Barcelona
Ballon d’Or
I expect the winner of the Ballon d’Or to be the one who guides his team to UEFA Champions League and/orWorld Cup triumph. If I had to be more specific, my guess would be Neymar JR or Lionel Messi but more likely to be Messi.
Winner – Lionel Messi
World Cup
It is hard to name one side as the clear favorite to win the World Cup, because the competition seems more balanced in this upcoming editions, with Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany and Spain all being serious contenders. However, I would go with the current champions to retain their title.
Winner – Germany
Champions League
There is a sense that the Champions League is a little more open this season. Real Madrid’s league hopes look over which could help focus on retaining their title, Barcelona always stand a chance with Messi, PSG grow stronger by the year and the likes of Bayern and Juve can never be counted out.
However, with the Premier League title all but sewn up by Christmas, Pep Guardiola’s mightily impressive Man City side could just capture the biggest prize. City will take some stopping (just ask the Premier League).
Winner – Manchester City
Ballon d’Or
Lionel Messi’s dazzling form for Barcelona plus a decent run in Russia with Argentina should see the little genius rightly pick up his sixth award and once more edge ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Winner – Lionel Messi
World Cup
Winning the Confederations Cup in 2017, Germany showed that a second or third string side would be a match for most sides so when Joachim Low brings the big guns, Die Mannschaft will be formidable. A perfect qualification was achieved barely breaking a sweat so World Cup number five could be on the cards.
Winner – Germany
Champions League
As things stand now, nobody seems to be on the level of Manchester City, but a surprise could be on the cards: having lost all hope for the Premier League, Manchester United and Chelsea could be outsiders.
Winner – Manchester City
Ballon d’Or
Assuming it is Pep Guardiola’s men winning at least a double – Premier League and Champions League – it would most probably have to be a Citizen to win the Ballon d’Or. Unless, there’s a big name lifting the World Cup. I still believe it will be either Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, unless Neymar manages to win the Champions League and leads Brazil to at least the World Cup final.
Winner – Lionel Messi
World Cup
The only trophy missing from Lionel Messi’s cabinet is the World Cup. And this time round the chance is there. Brazil are solid but not the best ever, Spain great but not as dominant as in the past, Germany a machine, but have won it last, Italy are not there, Uruguay not good enough, France perhaps not mature enough. Messi could lift his game to the final level and take his country to heaven.
Winner – Argentina
