Bukayo Saka can win the Ballon d’Or with one key change, claims Arsenal teammate

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Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka is on a path from Hale End to the Ballon d’Or, according to one of his teammates.

The 23-year-old hasn’t looked back since making his Arsenal debut under Unai Emery, building himself into Mikel Arteta’s star man. 

Saka is one of the top-performing forwards in Europe right now, being involved in the goals almost every week for the Gunners.

Most recently against West Ham, Saka joined Cesc Fabregas in Arsenal history, becoming the first Gunner to score and assist in three consecutive matches in all competitions in 16 years.

• READ MORE: Arsenal’s shocking starting XI from Bukayo Saka’s debut

Jorginho sets Ballon d’Or challenge for Bukayo Saka

The sky is the limit for Saka, who already has 18 goal contributions in 18 appearances this season, which is absurd.

While all attention on the Hale End graduate is positive, one of his teammates has set him a challenge where the rewards could be so sweet.

Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Arsenal midfielder Jorginho opened up about Saka, backing him to one day win the Ballon d’Or. 

“Unbelievable. [He’s] World class. I said to him, I want to see you win the Ballon d’Or.”

“He’s capable of winning the Ballon d’Or, yeah?” Ferdinand replied, prompting the Manchester United icon to share his view.

“But what is special? If you look at his attributes and you break him down as a player, what do you go, you know what, that is something that sets him apart from everybody? That’s the elite. That’s Ballon d’Or.”

• READ MORE: Arsenal star unhappy as Rodri wins Ballon d’Or, says ‘best in the world’ player should have won

Jorginho was methodical with his answer, not only delving into where Saka impresses but also where the winger must improve to reach such status.

“Before he was going the left foot, going the left. Now he’s going the right foot,” Jorginho said.

“For me now, the thing he needs to go more now, it’s his hunger to get in the box when he’s on the weak side….I want to see headers from him, cross you from the left side.”

Ferdinand agreed with Jorginho’s demand of the wide maestro, as the pundit backed the Arsenal star to get ‘six, seven more goals a season’.

“Easy. Easy with that. Easy. And let’s see how far he can get, you know?” Jorginho responded.

“For me, it’s the little thing that he’s missing because sometimes the ball’s on the other side and I can see it’s coming. I was like, get in there. And it’s not there. I’m like, no, man.”

Saka’s record in the Ballon d’Or

Jorginho has challenged his teammate to score more from inside the box, which is a big ask considering how Saka operates when attacking the penalty area. 

Cutting in from the right and causing mischief is Saka’s forte, but is it enough to win him an individual prize as magnificent as the Ballon d’Or?

History would tell us that no, it’s not enough, as the Arsenal man is yet to break into the top 20 in the Ballon d’Or rankings.

In 2023, Saka finished 24th and in 2024, that reduced to 21st, with the winger gradually moving towards being recognised as one of the very best in the world.

Jorginho may prompt his teammate to practice getting in the box more in training after his comments on Ferdinand’s podcast, where he showed huge admiration for the 23-year-old.