Nigel Reo-Coker predicts Rayan Cherki will win the Ballon d'Or in coming years

Rayan Cherki scored at Anfield on Sunday during Manchester City’s 3-0 win over Liverpool, and his performance convinced Nigel Reo-Coker, former England international, to name him as a future Ballon d’Or winner.

In the 78th minute, perfectly set up by a backheel from Josko Gvardiol, the 23-year-old attacking midfielder eliminated Jérémie Frimpong with a hook before finishing past Alisson Becker to score City’s third goal. An action that immediately caught the attention of British observers.

On the CBS Sports Golazo show, Reo-Coker was full of praise. “We are looking at a future Ballon d’Or winner, he has all the qualities and abilities to achieve it. He has the character, a personality, he is not afraid to dare and try things. Football needs more Rayan Cherki and fewer robots. He is the type of player who can push me to pay to watch him,” said the pundit.

The former midfielder also believes that the environment in the France national team is a key factor in Cherki’s progression. According to him, Zinédine Zidane, who plays the player in a three-man midfield, has the qualities to take him to the next level.

“In France, he plays with players he loves and Zinédine Zidane can coach him and take him to the next level so he has the impact he is capable of. I don’t want him to make tackles or dictate play all the time. I want him to have an impact in the final 30 metres, create chances and score goals. That’s what he does,” he added.

With the race for the 2026 Ballon d’Or already underway, Reo-Coker is therefore looking ahead to future editions, convinced that Cherki has the profile to one day rival the world’s best players.