Men's Ballon d'Or: Lionel Messi wins eighth award, beating Erling Haaland to trophy - BBC Sport
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Considering how little he's done the last 2 years apart from the world cup...
I mean, this is a yearly award. So…
Also, the World Cup win was absolutely historic, topping off the career of one of, if not the best to ever play the game. He was undoubtedly instrumental in that WC win—that entire WC run, let alone the final. I honestly think it couldn’t NOT go to him as a send off. He decided to step back after reaching the top—and he finally reached the top literally in this balon d’or cycle. If that doesn’t deserve a win, I’m not sure I know what does.
But why did he receive the trophy the previous year? He achieved nothing and was completely transparent at PSG.
I mean, 30 league goals, surpassing Pele’s single club goal scoring record…that’s…kind of achieving something? What’s the counter-argument in the face of breaking the previously (near-)undisputed great’s record? You’d have equally, if not a more convincing argument against NOT giving it to him when breaking Pele’s club career goal scoring record.
There will always be people who argue against the winner. But breaking such a longstanding, massive record of a legend? It’s not really hard to understand the reasons for giving it to him. Like it or not, this award has interesting criteria for the winner. Massive milestones like this always outweigh more than a long season+ of solid performances.
Considering this counts last world cup results, kinda unsurprising
I don't think Haaland coming second is a fair representation of his stature as a striker enjoying the fruits of exceptional service. He's notably worse when Rodri and KDB aren't playing. The fact that goal scorers like Haaland get votes highlights what a weird award Ballon d'Or is. The focus should be on the team award with secondary individual awards for best positions (best 9, best 10, best wingers, 6, fullbacks, centrebacks, and gk).
As a Norwegian Manchester United fan of Messi… He was robbed.
Ballon D'or certifies itself as a joke again.
Famous name wins award again.
No one is surprised.
To be fair, he's pretty good at the footy.
Maybe even the best ever.
Eh. I could take him.
Who? Won what? I don't get this whole football ordeal.