Belgian manager backs Chelsea's Romeo Lavia for Ballon d’Or if he stays fit
Hein Vanhaezebrouck, the Belgian football manager who previously coached Genk, told Sport Witness that Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia has the qualities to win the Ballon d’Or if he stays injury‑free. He said, “If he stays fit, he will become a player who qualifies for that. He has it all: good footwork, doesn’t lose the ball, and a low centre of gravity, which means he always turns away well.” Lavia joined Chelsea from Southampton in 2023 and endured a spell of injuries before regaining regular playing time last season, logging 2,144 minutes across 48 games, with only five appearances this season.
For Nigerian football fans following the Premier League and African talents, Lavia’s potential highlights how injury management can shape a player’s legacy; it also invites comparison with African contenders for the award. The manager’s comment comes amid other pundits naming contenders such as Tchouaméni and renewed debates about Messi versus Maradona discussions in football circles.
Will you consider Lavia a genuine Ballon d’Or prospect given his injury record, or do you believe other players—especially African stars—have a stronger case for football’s top individual honor?