Can Lionel Messi Win Ballon d'Or Without Playing in Europe?

The question on everyone's mind as Lionel Messi leads Argentina to the World Cup final is whether he can win the Ballon d'Or without playing for a European club. The official Ballon d'Or Twitter account has sparked the debate by asking, "Can you win the Ballon d'Or without playing for a European club?" The answer, of course, is yes, according to the award's official rules.

The Ballon d'Or was created in 1956 by France Football, and originally, it awarded the best European player playing in a European league. This remained the case until 1995, when the trophy went global, although it was still reserved for players in European leagues. But since 2007, there have been no restrictions: the Ballon d'Or awards the best player in the world, nothing more.

Interestingly, the only player who has won the Ballon d'Or while being a footballer for a non-European team is Lionel Messi. However, it's essential to note that the Ballon d'Or website itself reminds us that this was due to a technicality. Since 2022, the award has been judged according to the season (from August to July) and not the calendar year. This means that, with regard to clubs, the jury based its assessment on Messi's performance with Paris Saint-Germain, the club that he left in the summer of 2023.

The debate surrounding Messi's eligibility for the Ballon d'Or highlights the evolution of the award over the years. From its origins as a European-focused honor to its current status as a global recognition of the best player in the world, the Ballon d'Or has come a long way. The fact that Messi has already won the award once, despite not playing for a European club, only adds to the intrigue surrounding this year's competition.

Photo: marca.com

As Messi leads Argentina to the World Cup final, the question on everyone's mind is whether he can win the Ballon d'Or without playing for a European club. The answer, according to the official rules, is yes. However, the debate surrounding this issue highlights the complexities and nuances of the award, and the challenges that come with judging the best player in the world. With the World Cup final just around the corner, the world will be watching to see whether Messi can make history once again.

The outcome of the World Cup final will have a significant impact on the Ballon d'Or competition, regardless of the result. If Argentina wins, Messi will undoubtedly be in the running for the award, and the question of whether he can win without playing for a European club will be answered. The world will be watching with bated breath to see what happens next.

Source: MARCA