The Real Deal: Messi Reveals Who Deserves Ballon d’Or, and It’s Not Kylian Mbappé
When it comes to the highest individual honor in football, the Ballon d’Or, there’s no shortage of strong contenders. This month, the prestigious award will be handed out, and there’s no clear-cut favorite to take home the prize. However, Lionel Messi, the current holder of the Ballon d’Or, has weighed in on the matter, naming his top choice for the award.
In a recent interview with RMC Sport, Messi revealed that his vote goes to none other than Lautaro Martinez, his teammate on the Argentine national team and current Inter Milan star. According to Messi, Martinez had a spectacular year, netting a crucial goal in the final and leading the charge as top scorer in the Copa America.
"Leave it to me," Messi said. "He deserves the Ballon d’Or more than anyone. I hope that Lautaro Martinez wins the Ballon d’Or… I hope he will be rewarded. He is a boy that I appreciate a lot. He has been with us since the beginning. I hope he can get it. If not now, it will be later. He still has a great future."
It’s no surprise that Messi’s endorsement comes as a surprise, given the hype surrounding Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham, who have made impressive cases for the award themselves. Vinicius’s success with Real Madrid led to a Champions League title and La Liga win, while Bellingham reached the final in Euro 2024. However, without adding any more silverware to their resumes in the summer, the spotlight has shifted to other contenders.
As we await the announcement of the Ballon d’Or winner, it’s clear that Martinez has a strong advocate in Messi. Will his endorsement change the tide in his favor? Only time will tell, but for now, the world will keep watching as the drama unfolds.
Stay ahead of the curve and follow us on all social media platforms for more updates on the world of football!