• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
John Terry has already named ex-Chelsea player who ‘deserved’ Ballon d’Or ahead of Lionel Messi

Home> Football> Football News> Chelsea

Published 15:00 4 May 2025 GMT+1

John Terry has already named ex-Chelsea player who ‘deserved’ Ballon d’Or ahead of Lionel Messi

The former Chelsea and England captain gave his thoughts on one of his ex-teammates.

Luke Alfred Davies

Luke Alfred Davies

Former Chelsea captain John Terry once named an “under-the-radar” player he felt should’ve won the Ballon d’Or – and it’s not Frank Lampard.

Terry, 44, came tenth in the race for the Ballon d’Or in 2005, having helped Chelsea secure the Premier League during the 2004/05 campaign with a then-record total of 95 points.

However, he likely had no complaints when he saw Barcelona and Brazil icon Ronaldinho pick up the coveted prize.

Advert

To this day, a Chelsea player has never won football’s most sought-after individual accolade, but the former England defender has already claimed that one of his former Blues teammates should’ve won the award.

And given the fact that he played with the likes of Didier Drogba, Lampard, and Eden Hazard during his time in west London, as well as icons such as Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and Paul Scholes with England, you may be thinking it was one of the aforementioned players.

But it was another of his former teammates.

Advert

The man in question was instrumental in Chelsea winning the Premier League in 2016/17, having played 35 out of the 38 games that campaign.

Terry described his former teammate N’Golo Kante as being “like 11 players on his own” when speaking about the France international in 2021.

“What he does, he goes so under the radar,” Terry told Stadium Astro. “He is such a top-class player.

“I’d love to go see him win the Ballon d’Or or get the appreciation that I feel he deserves.

Advert

N'Golo Kante won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021 (Credit:Getty)
N'Golo Kante won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021 (Credit:Getty)

“He’s such a humble guy. He just goes about his business and keeps out of any trouble.

“He’s been a great asset for the football club, and we are very lucky to have him at Chelsea for sure.”

Kante, who is now 34 and at Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad, came fifth in the Ballon d’Or race in 2021, having helped Chelsea win the Champions League under the guidance of then-head coach Thomas Tuchel during the 2020/21 campaign.

Advert

And Terry was not the only player to praise Kante, with international teammate Paul Pogba explaining how he has “everything” when speaking to French TV [via ESPN] in 2021.

"Kante's got everything,” said Pogba. “He's good technically, with a good passing quality, and he's everywhere on the pitch. He runs for 11 players. I even say he appears out of the ground! You don't see him, and 'poof,' he's there! He gets the ball, he can finish. He's everywhere. To have a player like that by your side, what more can you ask for?"

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: John Terry, Chelsea, NGolo Kante, Ballon d'Or, Premier League, Football

Luke Alfred Davies
Luke Alfred Davies

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

8 hours ago
9 hours ago
10 hours ago
  • 8 hours ago

    Scott McTominay's weekly salary at Napoli 'leaked' after winning Serie A title and Man Utd fans will be in disbelief

    The Scotland international is living the Scudetto dream in Naples

    Football
  • 9 hours ago

    Scott McTominay’s immediate reaction to Serie A title win has emerged and it speaks volumes

    The Scotland international has become a Napoli legend

    Football
  • 10 hours ago

    Scott McTominay could be set for crazy bonus after leading Napoli to Serie A title

    McTominay in line for monster bonus after firing Napoli to Serie A title

    Football
  • 10 hours ago

    Florian Wirtz Liverpool transfer decision was made months ago after Bayern Munich bombshell

    German international Wirtz is bound for Anfield after Bayern confirmed his preference

    Football
  • John Terry fires back after being called out by James Maddison following Spurs's Europa League triumph
  • John Terry was grabbed round the throat by Chelsea icon and forced to sell very expensive car
  • 2024 Ballon d’Or winner has already been ‘leaked’ ahead of the official ceremony
  • Neymar named his top four players for the 2024 Ballon d'Or award as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo snubbed