As in every competition, you get your standout players; Lamine Yamal in Euro 2024, Lionel Messi in LaLiga 2012, or even just Wayne Gretzky throughout his whole NHL career. Standout players don’t just have to be top level of their sport. They could also be players coming onto the scene or certain personalities that have made a lasting impact on their respective sport.
The Ballers League has many talents in it, ranging from step one in the football pyramid, all the way down to step five, here are a few notable names.
⋅ Tyler Winters
Tyler Winters is an 18-year old forward who plays for Peterborough Sports in the National League North, but he also players for Angry Ginge’s Ballers League side, Yanited FC. Winters has made a name for himself in this competition, scoring an impressive 11 goals in just seven matches. As well as finding the back of the net on several occasions, he also has himself three assists, meaning the youngster is averaging two goals/assists per match.
Winters has not had the best of years playing at National League level, failing to score a single goal and only grabbing one assist in 14 appearances for Peterborough Sports. However, his performances in the Ballers League has caught the eyes of many former players such as Ian Wright and Gary Lineker who have both openly said “What a talent” Winters is.
Winters was actually the last pick in the draft for Yanited FC, but he’s proving his worth and showing the viewers how he should’ve been picked higher.
With an upcoming match against content creator rivals, M7 FC, Winters will be looking to build on his impressive campaign so far.
⋅ Alfie Matthews
Former Arsenal and Crystal Palace academy youngster Alfie Matthews has been standing out in the Ballers League, but not just for his talents on the indoor pitch. Matthews plays for Maya Jama’s team ‘MVPs United’ and currently has six goals and two assists in just five appearances.
As well as playing for MVPs United, Matthews is also currently a player for Dover Athletic, who play in the Non League Premier Ismithan Division, but recently won the play-offs in that division to gain promotion into the National League South.
One of the main reasons for their promotion was the form of Matthews. The 23-year old managed to score two extra-time free-kicks in the semi-final against Cray Valley to send them through to the final. In the final, Matthews scored yet another goal to seal ‘The Whites’ promotion.
Prior to the Ballers League, Mathhews had an impressive campaign, managing to earn 27 goal contributions throughout the season. However this competition has seen his reputation increase dramatically, only missing two games for the MVPs due to the playoffs for Dover.
MVPs United play Santan FC in their next game, a team owned by rapper Dave, which Alfie will unfortuanely be missing out on, but the forward is looking to be back in matchweek eight.
⋅ Bryan Ly
Bryan Ly is only 21-years old but is arguably the biggest talent in the competition. Ly came through the ranks at Morecambe, but now currently plays for Bury FC, and in the Ballers League for Arsenal legends owned N5 FC.
Ly is a midfielder, but that didn’t stop him from amassing 32 goals and 18 assists last season for Bury, an outstanding amount of goal contributions for a player of his age. His goal-scoring doesn’t stop there however as he is currently the top goalscorer in the Ballers League, with 17 goals in seven matches.
With Ly having an upcoming match against SDS FC, a team who currently sit seventh in the table, the midfielder will be looking to add to his tally and boost his team up the league and off the foot of the table.
Matchday 07 kicks off at 5:15pm, with live coverage on Sky Sports.
Feature Image Credits: @calllumturner on instagram
