Lionel Andres Messi one of the greatest ever to play the game of Football is yet again among favorites to win the Ballon d’Or 2024. Messi won the FIFA world at Qatar; the magician was also recognized with Golden Ball which gives him a edge over his one and only competitor the goal machine Norway’s Erling Haaland who also secured a historic treble in his debut season with Manchester City.
Image Source : Goal.com
Messi’s magic continues even at the age of 35
At 35 years of age, Lionel Messi is still in the contention to win the individual prize and remains a strong candidate to win a record 8th Ballon d’Or. Alongside his world cup triumph Messi’s astonishing year cannot be overlooked as he scored 38 goals and 25 assists across competitions. The genius of the game is still surprising the world by his vision, playmaking style even when he is in the twilight of his tremendous career. Messi also won the prestigious Laureus Sportsman of the year award at a ceremony held in Paris. Lionel Messi averaged 61 passes per match with a pass completion rate of 83%.
I’ll go Messi’s left because I’m a leftie,” said Bale
Former Real Madrid star Gareth Bale names Lionel Messi as the greatest Champions League winner. Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo were teammates in Real Madrid, spending 5 years with Cristiano and they won four Champions League together and a La Liga title. However, that clearly didn’t stopped Gareth to choose Messi over any of his Madrid teammates or even Cristiano Ronaldo. This speaks how much caliber Messi holds and why even the Archrivals rate him higher.
Image Source: Goal.com
Treble, Goals & the robot Erling Haaland
Coming close to the FIFA World cup in terms of competition, solidity the answer if ever existed would be surely a Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, and 50 plus goals. Erling Haaland achieved this mountain like dream in a single season, which makes him a tough contender to win Ballon d’Or. Haaland holds the record for most goals scored by a player in a single Premier League Season, with 36.
In the summer of 2022, he was transferred from Dortmund to Manchester City for a fee of 60 million, and was named Premier League player of the Season, Young player of the season, becoming the first player to win both awards in the same year. He was the top scorer in Champions League, Nations League which tells his hunger to score goals.
In 2020, Haaland won the Golden Boy award, while in 2021 he was named Bundesliga Player of the Season and was included in the FIFA World 11 in 2021 and 2022. The door to treble was not at all untroubled for Haaland but he stood up in his very first season which is quite marvelous, and it says the lad is the future of football. The positioning, finishing, and strength of Erling Haaland is incredible in the field and Afterall it brought a success in his gallery.
Image Source: Haaland Instagram
“Messi deserves to win the Ballon d’ Or. I think he will be crowned. He won the World Cup, which is a very big Tournament.” said Ronaldo Nazario.
