He can win Ballon d'Or - Makelele endorses Chelsea star as next winner

Claude Makelele has boldly tipped Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo to be in the running for next year’s Ballon d’Or, stating that the only requirement is for the player to maintain his current form.

Caicedo has silenced critics by proving his worth since his £115 million move from Brighton in 2023, having started all 38 Premier League games and winning the Blues’ Player of the Year award last season.

He helped Enzo Maresca’s side secure a return to the Champions League while also winning the Europa Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup.

Several pundits and fans already rate Caicedo among the world’s best midfielders, and Makelele believes the 24-year-old will soon emerge as the best player globally.

“I’m not surprised. I’ve been around Chelsea when he arrived in England, and I talked with him. I like this boy, I like this boy,” Makelele told Metro.

The former France international praised Caicedo’s all-around quality: “He is talented, powerful, and tactically, he is very good. He is so good, and he can be the leader for this team.

"This is very important, and if he continues, I think he can also compete for the Ballon d’Or next year because he is such a good player.”