Nagelsmann hails ‘potential’ Ballon d’Or winners following emphatic win over Hungary

Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann believes Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz possess the potential to win the Ballon d’Or, Soccernet.football reports.

Musiala and Wirtz both played starring roles as Germany tore Hungary apart in a 5-0 drubbing at the Merkur-Spiel Arena in Saturday’s UEFA Nations League match-up.

Musiala scored one goal and provided three assists while Wirtz contributed with one goal and one assist as Die Mannschaft proved to be too much to handle on the night.

At 21 years and 194 days old, Musiala became the youngest player to register four direct goal contributions in a single Nations League match.

“When both are in the mood and really put their foot down, it’s difficult for the opposition, they’re exceptionally good,” Nagelsmann told ZDF.

“These are two footballers – when they link up with each other, it’s very, very good to watch.

“Jamal has already undergone a great transformation in the past year in terms of his presence in the box. During [Euro 2024] it was very good, today it was phenomenal.”

Speaking to Sky Sport, Nagelsmann said: “Both [Musiala and Wirtz] have the potential to win the Ballon d’Or.”

With their win over the Hungarians, Germany lead the way in Group 3, albeit only on goal difference with the Netherlands, who also cruised to a dominant 5-2 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, trailing closely behind.

Die Mannschaft will be in action again on Tuesday when they take on their Dutch counterparts at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam. Nagelsmann and his men will be looking to secure another win and establish their dominance in Group 3.