Reuters/Maria Lysaker
Lionel Messi is competing with Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe for this year's Ballon d'Or and many within the game are backing him to pick a record-extending ninth award up at London Palladium.
The Argentine icon has won the award more than any footballer in history, most recently named the best player in the world back in 2023. He fired Argentina to World Cup glory in the winter of 2022 to become the most decorated star to grace a pitch.
Despite failing to lead the South Americans to a second consecutive World Cup this past summer, he produced yet another stellar campaign, ending the tournament with eight goals and four assists in eight games.
Cristian Romero: Messi Deserves Ballon d'Or Until He Retires
Tottenham Hotspur Cristian Romero warms up
Messi called time on his international career after missing out on another World Cup winners' medal. He is set to make his final appearance in his nation's colours in his farewell match when Argentina face Benin on October 6th at the Estadio Mas Monumental in Buenos Aires.
Lionel Scaloni's squad for the international break has been confirmed and one of the players called up to give Messi a proper send off is Cristian Romero. The Atletico Madrid defender has played alongside the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner during the heights of his international career.
Romero made clear his thoughts on Messi winning the golden trophy after helping Atleti beat Real Madrid 2-1 on Sunday. He told ESPN:
"The Ballon d'Or should go to Leo Messi. Until he retires, that is clear."
Romero explained the impact Messi has had on himself and his Argentine compatriots: "Putting aside what he is as a player and what he has achieved throughout his career, he is still the best in the world. What makes him even greater is that I have shared a dressing room with him, and he possesses a humility that very few have. Those things make him stand out."
The Ballon d'Or ceremony takes place 20 days after Messi's farewell match and, realistically, it could be the last time he is nominated for the award given the fact he's seeing out of his career at Inter Miami. He's still proving to be one of the best players on the planet in the MLS and it's not only Romero who is backing him to come out victorious next month.
Mac Allister Also Backs 'Exceptional' Messi
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Jay Biggerstaff
Alexis Mac Allister is another Argentine who has spent his international career playing in the same team as Messi. The Liverpool midfielder has become an important member of Scaloni's midfield and starred alongside his captain during their 2022 World Cup triumph.
Speaking to ESPN, he echoed Romero's sentiment and pointed out why Messi deserves the Ballon d'Or: "Yes, absolutely. As Argentinians, we would like Messi to win it. He delivered an exceptional World Cup and I see no reason why he should not be given the award."
He added: "Also, it is understood that numbers now play a big role these days, something that did not carry this much importance in the past, and you do not know exactly on what basis people vote."
Mac Allister acknowledged the competition facing Messi and suggested missing out on the award wouldn't faze his skipper too much: "But every candidate in contention is a great player, and anyone who comes close to it deserves it. And we all know that Leo always puts the team ahead of individual achievements, so it will not be a big problem for him."
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/James Lang
Messi finds himself up against Yamal, who won the World Cup with Spain after firing Barcelona to La Liga glory. The 19-year-old recently insisted that the award winner should be based on their talent rather than statistics.
Many viewed this as a dig at Kane, who is one of the favourites after enjoying an astonishing year in front of goal. The Bayern Munich and England striker bagged 73 goals for club and country, winning the Bundesliga title.
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Mbappe is also in the race although, unlike the other three, the Frenchman finished the year trophyless. The Real Madrid forward did make individual history at the World Cup, eclipsing Messi to become the all-time top goalscorer in the tournament's history.