Messi Reacts to Ballon d’Or Snub: Who Should Have Won the Award?

Lionel Messi has once again spoken out about the Ballon d'Or, this time calling out the player he believes should have won the award instead of Rodri in 2024.

The 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony is set to take place on Monday in Paris, France, where the winner will be revealed among the leading contenders including Ousmane Dembélé, Lamine Yamal, Mohamed Salah, and Raphinha.

Messi's Choice

According to Messi, his compatriot Lautaro Martínez is a player who deserves the accolade but has yet to come close. In fact, back in 2024, Messi singled out Martínez as a player he believes is worthy of the Ballon d'Or.

Messi's comments on Martínez come as no surprise, as the Argentine icon has etched his own name into history with a record eight Ballon d'Or triumphs. However, even with his unparalleled success, Messi acknowledges that not every deserving talent has been rewarded with the game's most prestigious individual prize.

The Ballon d'Or Contenders

This year's Ballon d'Or contenders are a mix of established stars and rising talents. Ousmane Dembélé, Lamine Yamal, Mohamed Salah, and Raphinha are all hoping to etch their name into history alongside Messi's record-breaking eight wins.

While Messi remains the award's most decorated player, he has previously admitted that not every deserving star has had the chance to lift the Golden Ball. The 2025 Ballon d'Or winner will be revealed on Monday, and it will be interesting to see if any of the contenders will follow in Messi's footsteps.

Inter Milan's Support for Martínez

Inter Milan goalkeeper Yann Sommer has also backed Martínez to win the Ballon d'Or, stating that the Argentine forward is a player who deserves the accolade. Sommer's comments come as no surprise, given Martínez's impressive performances for Inter Milan in recent seasons.

Martínez settled for seventh place in the 2024 Ballon d'Or rankings, behind stars such as Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and Dani Carvajal. However, with the support of Messi and Sommer, Martínez will be looking to make a strong case for himself in the 2025 Ballon d'Or.

What's Next

The 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony will take place on Monday in Paris, France, where the winner will be revealed. With Messi's comments on Martínez and the support of Inter Milan's Sommer, it will be interesting to see if Martínez will finally get the recognition he deserves.

Source: Yen ALL