Commentator for Oleg Pirozhkov on the TV channel explained why the world champion Lionel Messi received the Ballon d’Or for the eighth time in his career.
The Ballon d’Or ceremony took place on Monday in Paris. The award was received for the eighth time in his career by the 36-year-old striker of the Argentina national team and Inter Miami, Lionel Messi. After the voting results, Manchester City striker Erling Haaland won the Gerd Müller Trophy.
– At 36 years old, Messi is the best on the planet. Is this a rebuke to young people, a tribute to the legend, or is it really that good?
“He is the best on the planet because he is the leader of the champion team. We exaggerate the importance of this prize too much: it is awarded by vote. Football players earn their biggest awards on the field, not in the boardroom.
— So there is an element of action and show business in the awarding of this prize?
“I really wanted you to say that.” Today, football is show business. Today and for 30 years, football imitates, it is not just a game and not really a game when it comes to the highest achievements and the presentation of individual awards.
— Messi and Ronaldo are not only pure athletes, but also multi-sport brands.
– Certainly. It is also important to understand where these eight Ballons d’Or come from. I have no doubt that Messi deserves this award for the eighth time, just like Haaland. But since football is half a game and half show business, Messi understands. I think he can win his ninth Ballon d’Or, but it will depend on his performance in the national team. If Argentina wins the Copa America, for example. And playing in an MLS club, he will no longer be able to win the Ballon d’Or as a club success, even if he makes his team a champion. “It cannot be compared to the European Champions League,” Pirozhkov said on the air of the program “Everyone for the match!”. on the channel.
Messi has already won the Ballon d’Or in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019 and 2021. The closest pursuer is Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, who owns five of these trophies.
With the Argentina national team, Messi won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Source : MatchTV
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