Twelve days remain before October 28th, the day of the annual Ballon d’Or presentation. Lionel Messi has expressed his opinions about who he thinks should take home football’s highest honor. The Argentine icon, who in 2022 added a World Cup to his already impressive collection, will not be defending his Ballon d’Or title this year. Last year, he set a record with his eighth Ballon d’Or victory.
With neither Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo receiving nominations for the 30-man shortlist for the first time since 2003, many supporters believe that an era has officially come to an end. Although some people are saddened by the end of this historic chapter, it also creates opportunity for new talent to ascend to the title of football’s greatest player. The front-runners for this year include Rodri, the Premier League and Euro 2024 champion, and Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid, the winners of the Champions League.However, Messi has endorsed Lautaro Martinez, his striking partner from Argentina, to win the prized award and overtake him as the best player in the world. The Inter Milan talisman is fresh off an almost faultless year for both club and nation, and his idol thinks he should improve by 20 steps after placing 21st and 20th in the ceremony in 2021 and 2023.Who Messi Believes Deserves The 2024 Ballon d’OrHe has tipped compatriot Lautaro Martinez to clinch the individual prize
In 44 games in all competitions last season, Martinez, 27, scored 27 goals and contributed seven assists. He scored 24 goals and added six assists in Serie A, helping Inter Milan win the Scudetto. Additionally, he provided one assist while also scoring one during Nerazzuri’s victorious run in the Supercoppa Italiana.
Martinez, one of the best goal scorers in football over the past four years, took this thunderous victory to the international arena by scoring five goals in six Copa America games during the summer, including the game-winning goal in the final as Argentina defeated Colombia 1-0 to win the title again. Messi feels that he should receive a Ballon d’Or for all of these reasons. He stated (according to Goal):
“He had a spectacular year, he scored in the final, he was the top scorer in the Copa America. He deserves the Ballon d’Or more than anyone else “
Martinez expressed optimism about his prospects as well. He said to TNT Sports (via One Football) last month, “I think I deserve to be where I am for the season I’ve had.” “Because I’ve put in a lot of work and suffered a lot in the last years. I believe I have what it takes to be in the final round for the Ballon d’Or for the second time.”
In the lead-up to the October 28th Parisian gala, Vinicius Junior is currently the bookmakers’ favorite for the golden ball, followed by Rodri, Bellingham, and Dani Carvajal.