On Thursday Cristiano Ronaldo was voted Uefa player of the year for the third time beating rival Lionel Messi in the process.

The Portuguese superstar’s player of the year award takes him one ahead of Messi who last won the title for the 2014/15 season and comes after Ronaldo guided Real Madrid to a League and Champions League double firing in 12 goals in Europe’s elite club competition.

Already Ronaldo’s Madrid have been instilled as favourites for the La Liga title this season with betting odds making Cristiano just behind Messi to end as top goal-scorer.

The pair have been dominant in Spain’s Premier division and have claimed the last four player of the year awards between them.

However, Ronaldo, has given insight into who can take over his mantle as he will be 33 next year and cannot go on forever.

When asked by a reporter to name some players he thinks can succeed him, he replied by saying: “A good question, I see some great potential” and highlighedt six in particular.

But who are they?

Marco Asensio

The first player Ronaldo reeled off was team-mate Marco Asensio. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder is making a name for himself in the Madrid ranks and made his Spanish international debut in 2016.

Asensio played an important role for Real last season and played 38 times scoring 10 goals in all competitions last season and already has 2 strikes in four appearances this season.

Kylian Mbappe

The Monaco man on everyone’s lips, Mbappe appears to have the world at his feet and has impressed Ronaldo as a result.

Mbappe caught the key most notably for his performances for Monaco in the Champions League last season.

The Frenchman is still only 18 and it appears destined for a big money move to PSG sooner rather than later and we can only hope he continues his development and lives up to expectation.

Neymar

Ronaldo has plenty of first-hand experience of the Brazilian wonder kid who is more of a wonder man at 25-years of age.

A record breaking deal this summer to PSG has lifted Neymar further up the footballing echelons and bright start has ensued with two goals on his debut.

Ousmane Dembele

Barcelona’s new forward Dembele has big shoes to fill following Neymar’s departure. The former Dortmund and Rennes attacker has had a bright start to his career and found the back of the net six times in 32 Bundesliga appearances last season.

Eden Hazard

Like Neymar, another player in his mid-twenties but due to his consistently high performances for Chelsea, feels like he has been around much longer.

The Belgian attacking midfielder has already made 174 Premier League appearances for the Blues scoring a whopping 57 times.

Marcus Rashford

Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford has an impressive record at Old Trafford despite only being 19 and having spent a lot of time on the bench.

45 League appearances have returned 10 goals for the youngster and with Mourinho’s signing of Lukaku, could we soon see Rashford start to itchy feet and want out for regular first team action.