“Everything in football is open to debate, but not this Ballon d’Or for Messi,” writes Juan Castro in Brand, from Madrid, emphasizing the fairness of the award. Breaking through the thick layer of Real Madrid fans with eulogies about the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is a brave task. Anything that is not Real Madrid should not be considered. And if it is Lionel Messi, the antichrist of Madrid, any flattery is a reason to watch. Although Brand is less unruly than As on the subject of Messi. Bad or bad, Brand He had no choice but to give Leo his eight-time Pichichi award as the top scorer in the Spanish league. They have known each other for years.

In the north of Spain, in Berlin, Lothar Matthäus, that good German midfielder of the 80s and 90s, said that “the choice of Messi is a farce”. And he added: “It’s not fair that Messi won the Ballon d’Or. But you see the World Cup is worth more than anything else.” Lothar is forgettable: he, a footballer without any brilliant edge, won the Ballon d’Or in 1990 for winning the World Cup with Germany. The tournament in which he scored four goals: two against Yugoslavia, one against the United Arab Emirates and another, from a penalty, against Czechoslovakia. He did not score in the semi-finals and final. It was his only title that year. Yes, the World Cup seems worth more. Lothar was leaning towards Erling Haaland, who was also a great option. In a way, this is where classic Eurocentrism arises: everything that is not European and that is not in Europe is not valid.

The eighth has arrived! Lionel Messi wins the Ballon d’Or and is named the best footballer of the year

But ignorance aside, this eighth Messi award is the least debatable of all. The award was given for performance from August 1, 2022 to July 31, 2023. During this period, the World Cup was played, very nice, by the way, with the best final in history. And we already know what happened there. Along with the World Cup, Messi has had an excellent season in France (champion and best foreigner in the league) and a great start in the US, although only his first three games for Inter Miami count. Everything at the level of Messi, i.e. with maximum finesse and strength.

Lionel Messi made the world media crazy with his eighth Ballon d’Or!

“I voted for Messi. In a World Cup year, the World Cup rules and there is no debate: Leo had an outstanding tournament, he led his team that debuted with a defeat, it was on the verge of elimination and he lifted it,” says Danilo Díaz, the magnificent Chilean journalist who votes every year on elections France Football and also in The Best, from FIFA. Expand: “France Football It never suggests who to choose or changes your vote; there is total respect. He emphasizes, yes, to take into account the importance of each contest, the relevance of the protagonists in the said dispute, their behavior, titles…”

Paché Andrade, a prominent exponent of the Colombian radio story (which is not an understatement), has represented his country at the Ballon d’Or for two decades. “My vote was for Messi,” he admits. He was the central figure of the world champion and an undeniable promoter of the future of football. Yes, those of us who have recently settled in the United States will know…

Carlos Enrique Rivera, narrator ATBfrom La Paz (Bolivia), she turned twenty years old by voting yes France Football and he may hold the record: “Eight times when Messi won the Ballon d’Or I voted for him. And on this occasion, winning the World Championship. I vote for him because, apart from being the best player in the world, he is an exceptional person, humble, simple, family-oriented. I put Haaland second. It is an honor to participate in this competition. Seriousness France Football That’s absolute.”

On the other hand, Ricardo Montoya, a Peruvian television commentator who is not part of the jury (100 journalists participate, one from each country for the first hundred years). ranking FIFA World Cup), also has no doubts: “I am a Christian, not Messi, but what Messi did in the World Cup is enough for him and it is enough to win the Ballon d’Or.”

Rubén Baraja, the current coach of Valencia, had to endure this for fifteen years on the Spanish fields. At the press conference, he was full of praise for the eight-time winner: “If you’ve seen Messi play, you won’t see anyone play like him. I would give him all the Ballon d’Or in the world. “I would make one for him and one for the others.” And he went further: “There is no player who can do what he does on the field. There is no other way than knowing how to play football and knowing how to interpret it. “I think it’s a fair reward for his career and for winning the World Cup with Argentina.”

The reflection of his teammate Lautaro Martínez, also nominated among the 30 for the Ballon d’Or, does not seem exaggerated: “If it were not for Cristiano Ronaldo, Leo would have won fifteen Ballon d’Or.” Lula, the president of Brazil, put him as an example to all young people in his country: “Messi must be an inspiration to all our girls.”

However, a column by Henry Winter, editor-in-chief of The Timefrom London, and the argument about his vote for Lionel in the trophy:

“This may be the last time we celebrate Messi as the best player in the world, but the question has nothing to do with nostalgia or being tied to a fading romance. Instead, Messi deserves the Ballon d’Or. When I voted for England for the Ballon d’Or, I thought carefully about the incredible work of Haaland and Mbappé, studied their amazing statistics and best shots, and then came back to Messi. Messi led Argentina to the World Cup last season with a performance comparable to Maradona’s at the 1986 World Cup. Football is about headlines and Messi’s performance in Qatar proved he deserved the top spot and six points. Although Messi’s career was brilliant with four Champions League titles, he needed a World Cup. All the pressure was on their shoulders, especially with a young coach like Scaloni and a squad that included three important young players in Enzo, Álvarez and Mac Allister. At times, especially after the surprise first defeat against Saudi Arabia, Messi was under more pressure, and when his country needed him most, Messi responded. He won the World Cup man of the match award and scored seven quality and varied goals: long-range goals against Mexico and Australia, deep goals against France and penalty kicks taken with a variety of left, right, high and low goals. Messi also provided three assists and played every minute of the tournament. No player has had more shots on goal than him (32). Only Antoine Griezmann has more key passes than Messi, who has 21. Only Musiala and Mbappé dribbled more than him, and no player was exposed to more fouls than him. If some of those who mock him may suggest that the referees are influenced by his reputation, the reality is that Messi is under attack and his incredible movements confuse opponents who jump and tackle him. By all standards, Messi was the most effective at the most important tournament in sports. But Messi is not just numbers, he is much more. Messi is poetry. Messi is the one who surprises you. Messi is that sudden burst of speed and that touch that keeps the ball away from defenders like Guardiola. Messi is a special role model for the younger generation who follow stars as much as teams. Attending a game with your team is completely different from another game. “A match with Messi is considered an event in itself.”

No more arguments, Your Honor. (OR)