• 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
Cristiano Ronaldo tipped five youngsters to dominate world football 10 years ago and only one is still at the top level

Home> Football> Football News

Updated 15:46 14 Jan 2025 GMTPublished 15:35 14 Jan 2025 GMT

Cristiano Ronaldo tipped five youngsters to dominate world football 10 years ago and only one is still at the top level

Ronaldo named five of the best back in 2015.

Ryan Smart

Ryan Smart

A decade ago, Cristiano Ronaldo named the five players he believed could go on to dominate world football – but only one of his picks is still playing at the top.

The 39-year-old, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, started out at Sporting Lisbon before rising to prominence during his first spell at Manchester United.

He then embarked on an on-pitch rivalry with Barcelona forward Lionel Messi during his time in La Liga with Real Madrid, before spells at Juventus, a second stint at United, and Al Nassr, where he currently plays.

Advert

There was a time when Ronaldo was rated as one of football's top wonderkids, with his generation subsequently dominated by himself and Messi.

That era is now coming to an end, with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal, Vinicius Junior and Erling Haaland now beginning to take over the mantle as the top players in world football.

Back in 2015, Ronaldo gave his view on who he thought could lead the way in the years to come – and while some of the names he gave he achieved significant success since then, others have been less fortunate.

In a sit-down interview with BT Sport, the Portuguese forward started off strongly, naming his then-Real Madrid teammate Martin Odegaard as one player he believed could shine.

Advert

Aged 16 at the time, the midfielder had joined Los Blancos from Norwegian side Stromsgodset.

It is at Arsenal where he is fulfilling that potential, becoming a first-team regular under Mikel Arteta.

During the interview, Ronaldo warned: "He has a good future ahead. We must give him time to learn, to take his best decisions. But I see a lot of potential in the player, he has got a good left foot."

Ronaldo and Odegaard were teammates at Real Madrid. Image credit: Getty
Ronaldo and Odegaard were teammates at Real Madrid. Image credit: Getty

Advert

Ronaldo went on to name Eden Hazard, who had recently won the Premier League title with Chelsea and the league's player of the season award.

The Belgian went on to replace Ronaldo at Real, but suffered four injury-hit seasons at the Bernabeu in which he scored just seven goals in 76 appearances.

After being released from his contract last summer, Hazard announced his retirement from football at the age of 32.

Ronaldo also picked Paul Pogba, with the Juventus midfielder going on to be named in UEFA's Team of the Year at the beginning of 2016.

Advert

After a club-record move to Manchester United, the Frenchman lifted two trophies in his first season but things eventually went downhill at Old Trafford and he rejoined Juventus.

He is currently a free agent after Juventus agreed to terminate his contract in November last year.

Pogba is currently a free agent. Image credit: Getty
Pogba is currently a free agent. Image credit: Getty

Ronaldo's fourth pick was Memphis Depay, who took Ronaldo's old number seven shirt at United upon his arrival in the summer of 2015.

Advert

He was hardly successful at United, but found top form at Lyon and earned a move to Barcelona in the summer of 2021. The Dutchman now plays for Brazilian side Corinthians.

Finally, Ronaldo opted for then-Barcelona forward Neymar as one of his future footballing stars.

While hardly the most surprising pick, given the Brazilian's ascent to football stardom already by this point, it did appear as if the winger would dominate world football for years to come.

It hasn't quite worked out that way after a world record move to PSG, which was intended to finally land Neymar his first Ballon d'Or.

After failing to add to the Champions League title he won with Barca, he joined Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal in a move worth up to £86 million.

Featured Image Credit: BT Sport - Getty Images

Topics: Arsenal, Cristiano Ronaldo, Martin Odegaard, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, Football

Ryan Smart
Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • What happened to the 15 players Lionel Messi claimed were the best youngsters in the world in 2020
  • Cristiano Ronaldo's blockbuster new 'super-contract' at Al Nassr broken down as staggering amount he will earn per second revealed
  • Cristiano Ronaldo was left with astronomical bill after leaving Saudi Arabia hotel for permanent home
  • Cristiano Ronaldo 'rejected' by shock Champions League club as Man Utd legend 'desperate' to return to Europe

Choose your content:

10 hours ago
11 hours ago
13 hours ago
  • 10 hours ago

    Man Utd 'decide' new striker target after accepting defeat in Viktor Gyokeres transfer saga

    Manchester United have another striker on their radar after losing out on Viktor Gyokeres.

    Football
  • 11 hours ago

    Marcus Rashford has made his feelings clear on Harry Kane amid Bayern Munich links to Man Utd outcast

    Marcus Rashford would relish the opportunity to play with Harry Kane judging by his comments about the Bayern Munich star.

    Football
  • 13 hours ago

    Scott McTominay's next Napoli team-mate has already walked out on club

    The player claimed that his former manager called him a 'troublemaker'.

    Football
  • 13 hours ago

    Women's Euros star receives ban for first group match after incident that happened 355 days ago

    A player will have to wait for her first appearance at this year's Women's European Championships following a 2024 incident.

    Football