Jamal Musiala is the successor to Lionel Messi and can win Ballon d'Or, says Bayern legend Lothar Matthaus

Bayern Munich legend Lothar Matthaus believes that Jamal Musiala is heading to the top of men's football, and is a potential Ballon d'Or winner. Musiala is enjoying a breakout start to the season with Bayern, having scored four goals in three appearances so far. Ad His most recent goal was his 14th for the club, breaking Uli Hoeness' record and making him the highest scoring Bayern player under the age of 20.

FootballOne goal, nine seconds: Mbappe’s kick-off goal dissected22/08/2022 AT 14:23 The Germany midfielder is in the 93rd percentile or above in virtually ever major attacking statistic this season; including shots, assists, goals, xG assists, shot-creating actions, dribbles completed, progressive carries, touches in the attacking penalty area, and progressive passes received. Unfortunately, Musiala missed Bayern's 7-0 win over Bochum last Sunday through injury and is likely to also sit out their next fixture against Borussia Monchengladbach. Matthaus says the former Chelsea academy player «reminds me a bit of Messi».

Expanding on this point, Matthaus — himself a winner of the Ballon d'Or in 1990 — explained his perspective. «If things keep going like this, he will win a Ballon d'Or one day,» he said. «He could become the inheritor of Robert Lewandoswki but we must be patient.

It won't happen today or tomorrow. But he has everything required and he is already in the best position to do it.» If Musiala were to break through and win the Ballon d'Or while playing in Munich, he would break a 41-year barren run. No Bayern player has won the Ballon d'Or since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in 1981.