Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has made a striking assertion about his former teammate Bruno Fernandes, suggesting the Portuguese captain would be a Ballon d'Or contender if he played for a club like Manchester City.
Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Pogba, who now plays for Juventus, praised Fernandes' abilities while highlighting how team success influences individual recognition in football's most prestigious award.
"Bruno Fernandes, in other big clubs, is in the top three Ballon d'Or," Pogba stated. "You put him in City, he's in the Ballon d'Or."
The 33-year-old French international emphasized that while Fernandes is already a "top player," his talents would receive greater acclaim if he were surrounded by better players at a consistently trophy-winning club.
Fernandes has been in impressive form this season, providing 18 Premier League assists—just two shy of the record jointly held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne. The 31-year-old recently matched Cristiano Ronaldo's record of six Premier League Player of the Month awards after his standout performances in March.
Despite his individual achievements, Pogba noted that team success remains crucial for Ballon d'Or consideration: "When you don't win, we don't think about you."
Fernandes joined Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020 for £47 million and has since made 322 appearances, scoring 106 goals. Last summer, he turned down lucrative offers from Saudi Pro League clubs Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad to remain at Old Trafford, where his contract runs until 2027 with an option for an additional year.
United goalkeeper Senne Lammens recently praised Fernandes for "driving the dressing room towards a higher level," while Pogba highlighted his all-around game: "He's everywhere on the pitch. He has a volume. He keeps running. He's smart. He can play two touches, one touch. He can shoot."
Fernandes was last nominated for the Ballon d'Or in 2021, finishing joint 21st with Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez. Manchester United currently sit third in the Premier League table, level on 58 points with fourth-placed Aston Villa.