Barcelona legend Rivaldo believes Man City’s Kevin De Bruyne can compete for next year's Ballon d'Or.
France Football confirmed earlier this week that the Ballon d'Or will not be awarded this year as "it cannot be treated as ordinary" due to the coronavirus outbreak.
This will be the first time since its inception in 1956 that football's most coveted individual prize will not be handed out.
The move comes after football across the world was brought to a standstill in March due to the outbreak of Covid-19 around the world.
De Bruyne has been one of City’s standout stars this season, scoring 13 times and claiming 22 assists in 45 appearances.
And Rivaldo believes the playmaker, provided he keeps improving and can avoid getting injured as much as he has done in the past, will be a contender for next year’s award.
“ Kevin De Bruyne is on the verge of joining football's elite, alongside players like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski,” Rivaldo told Betfair.
“The Manchester City playmaker is excellent at creating goalscoring chances for his teammates and he scores spectacular goals.
“But I think he could be even more influential around the box and score more himself.
“When you're equally dangerous at passing and scoring, you become a more complete player and find yourself in contention for football's major individual honours.
“If De Bruyne keeps improving, and can avoid getting injured as much as he has done in the past, I think he can be a contender for the Ballon D'Or in 2021.”
