Allan Saint-Maximin Believes He Can Win The Ballon d'Or One Day
Newcastle United winger Allan Saint-Maximin believes he can one day win the Ballon d'Or.
The 25-year-old is one of the Premier League's most exciting players and has been since his arrival in 2019.
He's hoping to break into a star-studded France squad for next winter's World Cup and he's got another personal goal involving football's greatest honour.
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Saint-Maximin admitted in a recent interview with Goal: "When I talk about the Ballon d'Or, it's a dream. I think any player dreams of winning the Ballon d'Or. It's a kid's dream.
"Of course, I am very far from the Ballon d'Or at the moment, but in terms of quality, I think I'm able to do it."
Four French players have won the Ballon d'Or since the award's inception in 1956.
Raymond Kopa won it in 1959 before Michel Platini won an incredible three on the bounce between 1983 and 1985.
Jean-Pierre Papin earned the nod in 1991 after winning Ligue 1 with Marseille and getting them to a European Cup final.
Zinedine Zidane helped France to World Cup victory in 1998 and was handed the Ballon d'Or after a stunning tournament in his home country.
No Les Bleus player has won it since but Thierry Henry, Franck Ribery and Antoine Griezmann have ranked inside the top three respectively.
Saint-Maximin knows he's got a long road ahead of him to match their numbers.
Despite being a fan favourite at St. James' Park, he's only managed to score five goals and register four assists this campaign.
Didier Deschamps has a wealth of attacking talent at his disposal and Kylian Mbappe, one of the world's best, plays in Saint Maximin's position.
When asked about getting into France's squad and how he'll get there, Saint-Maximin replied: "I know it's all about work. In any case, I will continue to work. I will continue to perform well and help my club.
"It's hard not to think about it [the World Cup]. It remains an objective for any French person to represent his country, to compete in major competitions like this.
"When France's team won the World Cup [in 2018], it was something incredible. Besides, I had friends who were there too.
"To see them so joyful and to see them perform for our country, it was really, even for me who was not called up, thrilling. So I can't even imagine the feeling they must have felt.
"In life, you always get what you deserve. I will continue to work in the hope that I will have the chance to be called up one day."
Newcastle return to action against Manchester City on Sunday afternoon and are hoping to finish in the top half.
It'll be a remarkable achievement, given the Magpies didn't win their first league game of the season until December.
Topics: Newcastle United, Allan Saint-Maximin, Premier League,
Daniel Marland