Lionel Messi is now a 7th time balloon d’or recipient which most feel is well deserved but there are others who feel he doesn’t deserve it. But based on statistics provided by the football governing body Messi proved by slim margins to have performed better than his peers this past year despite a perceived poor start at PSG. See image below.
Messi headed the pole results by 613 points to Lewandowski’s 580.
Fussy Ronaldo of course did not show up for the award ceremony (no surprise there).
The debate from Messi’s critics is that the award should have gone to Lewandoski who more than proved himself last year or someone else other than Messi. Chelsea fans even hoped their man Jorginho would be considered.
Messi in my opinion, and what most objective people believe, is that Messi is the best player in the world and at least of his generation. The ‘why’ I would explain later in this article but first, let’s talk about his colleague or ‘arch nemesis’ as some mockingly portray their rivalry.
Ronaldo is a great player by right and a very hard worker who has earned every milestone and accolades he has received but he is no Messi. Ronaldo has proven to be a world class prolific striker especially in his peak days but he is 36 now and no longer at the top of his game which objectively speaking consists majorly of scoring goals. As a player he is sorely lacking in team skills like assists, tackles and playmaking roles which, in my opinion severely limits his greatness and positions him as ‘not’ a well rounded player. Messi on the other hand, is a player that does not need to score a goal to contribute to a team because he is always all over the pitch in terms of contributions. He creates gameplay by opening up the midfield and slices through defences like butter. He isn’t selfish because he knows when to pass the ball to a teammate if the chance to score isn’t there. When he plays you can tell that he is playing for the love of the game and his teammates and fans. Ronaldo on the other hand is driven, image conscious and he gets frustrated and angry when he doesn’t score or have his way because despite all his achievements he is still trying to prove something perhaps more to himself than to anyone else. He isn’t so much a team player but expects the team to play for him and this is why when it comes to a vote Messi will always be considered by his peers, captains and coaches as a better player than Ronaldo and perhaps more deserving of a 7th Ballon d’or.
Just-a-concerned-citizen 