Monaco midfielder Paul Pogba has suggested that Bruno Fernandes could be in contention for the Ballon d’Or if he were playing for a more dominant side such as Manchester City.

Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, the former Manchester United midfielder praised Fernandes’ abilities but argued that his individual recognition is limited by the team’s overall performance.

“Bruno Fernandes, in other big clubs, is in the top three Ballon d’Or,” Pogba said, adding that the midfielder’s impact would be even more widely acknowledged in a consistently successful system.

He went further to state that placing Fernandes in Manchester City’s setup would elevate him into serious contention for the award.

Fernandes has been one of Manchester United’s standout players this season, recording 18 Premier League assists and nearing the single-season assist record jointly held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne. He also played a key role in United’s recent victory over Chelsea, contributing an important assist.

His performances have earned praise within the squad, with teammates highlighting his leadership and influence in raising standards.

Despite this, Pogba emphasized that individual honours like the Ballon d’Or are often closely tied to team achievements.

“When you don’t win, we don’t think about you,” he said.

Fernandes, who joined Manchester United from Sporting CP in 2020, has since made over 300 appearances and scored more than 100 goals for the club. Although he has attracted interest from clubs in the Saudi Pro League, he has remained at Old Trafford, where he is under contract until 2027.

Pogba’s remarks have reignited discussions around how much team success influences recognition in football’s top individual awards.