Benni McCarthy has named the three stars he believes can step into the throne currently occupied by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as the best players in the game.
The 43-year-old, who is the only South African player to have won the UEFA Champions League, believes that Ronaldo and Messi will still be around for a while despite the duo's recent elimination from Europe's elite club competition.
However, he has insisted that Borussia Dortmund duo Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho, and Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe are the players mort most likely to push them off their throne.
"I don't think we are seeing the end of their (Messi and Ronaldo's) era, but we are seeing other players emerging, who are challenging and pushing them," he told Soccer Laduma.
"The likes of Erling Haaland, Jadon Sancho – a very exciting talent, a very good player – Kylian Mbappe, all these players, they also want to be part of the hype that Messi and Ronaldo have created.
"The opportunity is there for them now. If you play in a good team, a strong team that can compete, then you are in with a chance.
"So these young guys want Messi and Ronaldo's throne, they want what they have, but Messi and Ronaldo will remain two of the biggest names in this day and age."
For the first time in 15 years, neither Messi nor Ronaldo have reached the Champions League quarter-finals, and it remains to be seen whether or not the two superstars will lift the trophy again before hanging up their boots.
