Chelsea’s Willian has backed two of his teammates, at both club and international level, to challenge for the title of World Player of the Year in the near future.
The winger has also weighed in on the Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo argument, as well as revealing who his biggest football idol is.
Speaking to Goal.com, Willian revealed that he expects Chelsea teammate Eden Hazard, and Brazilian counterpart Neymar to one day be fighting for the Ballon d’Or, and believes they both have the potential to be crowned the world’s best player.
I think it depends on them, but they have great potential to reach that level. So I think if they continue to develop, continue to grow, certainly they will have everything to achieve this award.
When asked to choose between the two players currently at the top of the game, Willian revealed he rates fellow South American Messi higher than Ronaldo. However, there is one player he believes was bigger than them both:
Ronaldinho is the biggest idol in football for me. In my opinion, I think that Ronaldinho, at that time (between 2003 and 2005), was bigger than Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Of course, Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi make a lot of goals, but what Ronaldinho used to do was unbelievable.
Willian is expected to be in action for Brazil over the coming days, with friendlies against Costa Rica and the USA being played on Saturday and Wednesday.
The winger then returns to London following the international break, where he, along with Hazard and the rest of his teammates turn their attention to getting Chelsea back on track this season.
