Lionel Messi: Does Lionel Messi deserve his seventh Ballon d’Or? Here is what Barca manager Xavi had to say – Argentina’s Lionel Messi won the Ballon d’Or award for the best player in the world on 30th November 2021 for a record-breaking seventh time on Monday, beating Robert Lewandowski and Jorginho to lift football’s most prestigious trophy yet again. The forward added to his 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, and 2019 trophies after winning the Copa America for the first time with his country last July. Follow InsideSport.IN for more updates
After collecting his award, the truly human side of Lionel Messi was seen. A down-to-earth nature and still the same humble kid who just wants to help his team achieve success together was captured as Messi addressed the media regarding his arrival at Paris Saint-Germain this summer, including his friend Neymar offering him the number 10 shirt.
The Copa América winner also speaks over whether he is the best of all time, ultimately concluding that he is not interested in such labels, and that simply being among the highest strata is enough for him.
Lionel Messi: Does Lionel Messi deserve his seventh Ballon d’Or? Here is what Barca manager Xavi had to say
When asked by a journalist, If Messi considers himself the best player in history following a seventh Ballon d’Or win, Messi replied saying:
“I’ve never said it, thought it, or even tried to get used to the idea of it. For me, the fact alone that I can be considered among the best in the world is more than enough. It’s something which I never would have dared to imagine or dream of. But… I don’t know how to say this without being misinterpreted… It’s not that it doesn’t interest me, but let’s say that I don’t attach a lot of importance to all of that. Being the best or not doesn’t change anything for me. Nor have I ever looked to be the best.”
Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez said former teammate Lionel Messi undoubtedly deserved his Ballon d’Or win, describing the Argentine’s record-extending seventh victory as “total justice”.
Xavi on Messi’s 7th Ballon d’Or win: “I think it’s football justice. He is the best footballer in the world and the best of all time. And he deserves this seventh award. No doubt about it,” Xavi said.
“We may think that maybe Lewandowski also deserved it, or other players, but this is the same debate every year… The moment they open the envelope and they say Messi won it, then it’s fair.”
While other players in the footballing world had different opinions about the Ballon d’Or with some of them calling it “corrupt” and a “robbery.”
Lionel Messi: Does Lionel Messi deserve his seventh Ballon d’Or? Here is what Barca manager Xavi had to say
Alphonso Davies who considers Lionel Messi his idol had a pretty different opinion.
Alphonso Davies on Lionel Messi winning the Ballon d’Or 🤐 pic.twitter.com/KsZPQvqi3K
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 1, 2021
Toni Kroos on who should have won the Ballon d’Or:
Toni Kroos thinks Karim Benzema deserved to win the Ballon d’Or 👀 pic.twitter.com/ivfAEmkchs
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 1, 2021
Zlatan Ibrahimovic who appreciated Messi but didn’t agree with the decision of the first-place being awarded to Leo Messi
Zlatan has his say on the Ballon d’Or debate 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/DrjpkgN5tU
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 1, 2021
Messi’s former coach Pep was sure it was a fair decision to award Messi
Pep says you can never complain about Messi winning the Ballon d’Or 🏆 pic.twitter.com/W7sjbGvRYZ
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 30, 2021
Lionel Messi: Does Lionel Messi deserve his seventh Ballon d’Or? Here is what Barca manager Xavi had to say
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