Prior to the 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony, West Ham striker Michail Antonio stated that if forward Erling Haaland did not win, it would be a “scandal”. Striker Callum Wilson (Newcastle) agreed with this sentiment and declared that Haaland deserved to be honored. However, as we all know, the ultimate winner was superstar Lionel Messi. The question remains whether the award given to the 36-year-old striker was a “scandal” as described by Antonio. According to Goal, the answer is no.
After shining in the 2022 World Cup and leading the Argentine team to victory, Messi unquestionably deserves to be honored. Former midfielder Eden Hazard used the term “reasonable” to describe Messi’s win. “No one deserves this award more than Messi. It’s illogical not to give the Ballon d’Or to the greatest player in history in the year he won the World Cup. If France wins the 2022 World Cup, Mbappe will win the Ballon d’Or,” Hazard commented.
French football legend Thierry Henry also believes that the race for the Ballon d’Or will be different if his team can overcome Argentina in the World Cup final. However, everything is clear now. When CBS reporters asked who deserves the Ballon d’Or this year, Henry replied simply: “Messi. That’s it.”
At the end of the ceremony, Haaland (Silver Ball) and Mbappe (Bronze Ball) both congratulated Messi on his win. This could be seen as a move by the duo to confirm that Messi deserved his eighth title.
“I Can’t Ask for Anything More”
Many people believe that Lionel Messi’s Ballon d’Or count will stop at eight. This assessment is not without basis. Messi, who is now 36 years old, no longer plays in major European tournaments. Therefore, to be honored with the Ballon d’Or, Messi needs to do something “extremely special.” In fact, the Messi-Ronaldo era has been pushed aside. We are welcoming a new generation of stars with Haaland, Mbappe, and even Jude Bellingham.
Of course, we cannot completely disregard Messi, the superstar who has created countless wonders in the world of football over the years. The pinnacle of which is none other than the World Cup championship last year.
“Obviously, I want to complete my career with this title – I can’t ask for anything more,” Messi shared after Argentina defeated France in the 2022 World Cup final. “After this title, what else do I need? I already have a Copa America and a World Cup.”
Can Messi win his ninth Ballon d’Or?
At this stage of his career, Messi admits to playing football with comfort and no pressure. The Argentine superstar is expected to rest before the new season in the US begins in February 2024. After that, Messi will join the team to participate in the Copa America in the summer.
If Argentina can win this tournament, Messi may appear on the Ballon d’Or nomination list. However, if this scenario happens, Messi’s chances of winning a ninth award are still very slim.
Leaving the peak of football will undoubtedly affect Messi’s votes. In 2023, Messi, with the World Cup championship, successfully surpassed Haaland, who had won the treble. However, the World Cup is a completely different stage from the tournament that only South American teams compete in, such as the Copa America.
With Messi going to play football in the United States and Ronaldo and other stars moving to Saudi Arabia, fans are paying more attention to tournaments outside of Europe. However, the chances of a player who no longer plays in Europe winning the Ballon d’Or are very slim. Messi in 2023 is no exception. The Argentine superstar won his eighth award for his performance while playing for PSG.
Perhaps the race for the 2023 Ballon d’Or officially ended when Messi lifted the World Cup trophy. It has been a long time since fans have seen such an impressive personal performance at a short-term tournament.
Man City owned the “holy trinity” of trophies last season and is currently the best club in the world. Pep Guardiola, the team’s manager, also admitted that Haaland is unlikely to compete with Messi. “I think this award should have two prizes: one for Messi and one for the rest. Why? Because Messi’s worst season is still better than the rest.”
Messi may not be able to win his ninth Ballon d’Or, but that is no longer important to the 36-year-old player at this point. At the end of last year, Messi won the biggest award of his career, and the recent Ballon d’Or was just an additional reward.
Messi has completed his collection of titles in Qatar. Goal believes that this is also the moment when the debate over who is the greatest player in history is officially over.
