Kalidou Koulibaly believes Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson has what it takes to clinch football’s most prestigious award, the Ballon d’Or, in the future.
Koulibaly’s High Praise: Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson Has Ballon d’Or Potential
The former Chelsea center-back, who now plays for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, expressed his confidence in Jackson’s potential, citing the player’s talent and work ethic as keys to achieving greatness.
Koulibaly, a longtime teammate of Jackson with Senegal, shared that he frequently advises the young forward, encouraging him to stay focused on his goals.
“I tell him all the time he can become one of the best in the world,” Koulibaly remarked.
For Jackson, it’s about building self-belief and staying committed, much like Senegalese icon Sadio Mane, who has carved his own place on the global stage.
“He has to follow Mane’s example,” Koulibaly added, hoping Jackson can eventually be seen as one of Africa’s greats.
Since joining Chelsea from Villarreal in a £32 million move, Jackson faced early criticism for inconsistency.
However, he has shown resilience, bouncing back to contribute significantly with six goals and three assists in the Premier League this season.
Koulibaly emphasized that these performances indicate Jackson is on the right path and urged him to embrace a mindset that winning the Ballon d’Or is within reach.
Koulibaly’s message to Jackson centers on maintaining hard work and self-belief, the qualities he sees as essential for players at top clubs like Chelsea.
“If he keeps working and believes in himself, he can reach every objective,” Koulibaly said, confident that Jackson’s journey could one day make him a leading star, not only in Africa but globally.
