Mamelodi Sundowns defender Anele Ngcongca has backed former teammate Kevin De Bruyne to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or in the future.

The 32-year-old previously spent four seasons with the Manchester City playmaker during his time at Belgian side Genk.

Ngcongca strongly believes that De Bruyne will one day become a world-class player and win the Ballon d’Or.

‘The boy was such a menace to defenders,’ Ngcongca told FarPost, ‘a world beater had been born because the boy just hated losing.

‘I remember, after that game [2010-11 title decider against Standard Liege], telling a teammate that the boy would go far in his career and he has proven me right over the years.’

De Bruyne then secured a move to Premier League side Chelsea, where he struggled for game time and was subsequently loaned out to Bundesliga outfits Werder Bremen and Wolfsburg, respectively.

‘I never doubted his abilities even after Chelsea let him go. I knew he would bounce back and perhaps win the Ballon d’Or one day,’ said Ngcongca.

‘It’s no surprise he has been named Manchester City Player of the Year twice, in 2016 and 2018.

‘He was such a skilful player and would pull a shibobo [nutmeg] in every game.

‘I don’t recall a practice session that ended without him passing the ball between an opponent’s legs.

‘What he’s doing now is nothing, I guess he has matured and is no longer fascinated by that.’

However, Ngcongca believes that the world is yet to see the best of the Man City midfielder.

‘He’s not too far from winning it [Ballon d’Or]. I actually think we’ve yet to see his best judging by what I witnessed when he joined the senior team at Genk,’ Ngcongca concluded.