‘Choosing Lionel Messi would devalue the Ballon d’Or’

Jean-Pierre Papin, winner of the Golden Ball in 1991, assured that a new award to Lionel Messi, who starts among the favorites to take the trophy, would devalue the award. These were his statements for The Parisian.

Valuable show: “It is a magnificent trophy that should reward the best footballer of the year. It has evolved a lot since my time, and it was even taken over by FIFA, which turned it into a great TV show. It is the most beautiful individual award that a player can have, I do not understand those who denigrate him “

Change the race a Ballon d’Or: “It doesn’t change much in reality, but it is a great source of pride. It’s funny, but right now, while we’re talking on the phone, I have mine in front of me. It’s on the table in my living room. I put it there because I want to see it all the time. I never would have imagined that I would have this trophy. And seeing it every day brings back very good memories ”.

Delusion: “I’m not too excited about it. When you know football well, there are not many surprises ”.

More suspense this year: Who is left? Four players: Lewandowski, Jorginho, Mbappé and Benzema! For Karim, the extra sport can be a stain, even more so with the sentence that has just fallen. However, if voters only focus on the sporty aspect, Karim deserves to have it. But for the Ballon d’Or the image is also taken into account. Mbappé has not won any major titles, but he is one of those who are constantly progressing and staying on top of the game. If you choose to focus on the titles, of course, it is difficult not to put Jorginho, European champion with Chelsea and with Italy. But if all the criteria are taken into account, my favorite is Lewandowski. In any case, the most deserving players of the year are here, I wouldn’t understand that it was other than these four ”.

Lewandowski: “I think I would have gotten it last year if it weren’t for the covid. He has not won any major title, it is true. But with Karim, he’s the one who’s been staying on top the whole time. The problem is that I don’t know the other part of the story. If the decision is still made by a synthesis of performances, titles, image and others, it will be Jorginho first, then Lewandowski and Benzema. But I don’t know what is really being judged ”.

Messi: “He hasn’t played for five months! I have seen that they spoke of him and I do not understand it. Let’s add Cristiano Ronaldo to that list. Since winning the Copa América, what has Messi done in Paris? He scored one goal in the league, three in the Champions League. I have nothing against Messi, of course, he is one of the best players in history but this year he does not deserve it. Choosing Messi this year would devalue the Ballon d’Or because it would mean that we would no longer give successful players the chance to win the trophy. When you know how difficult it is to act for an entire season, it would not be cool. If we give it to Messi this year, every child in the world can dream of having it. It may be less glamorous, but for me the podium is in the players I have given you ”.

End of the Cristiano-Messi rivalry: “For me it is over. Before there was no competition, but this year there was ”.

The next Frenchman to win: “If he continues at the same pace, next year could be for Karim. Unless Kylian blows up and wins a big title. In any case, for Kylian, if it’s not next year, it will be very soon. It is out of the ordinary. Out of the ordinary! He is a player like few times in French football. The question is to know if it will have it with a French club. That is much less certain ”. (D)