Ridiculous Ballon d'Or campaign for Messi

Opinion by Jesus Sanchez

Posted Monday, December 10, 2018 by Marca.com

Ever since Luka Modric was named the winner of the Ballon d'Or last Monday there has been a ridiculous campaign in favour of Lionel Messi who finished fifth in the voting for the best player of 2018.

It appears as though there is a lack of understanding of the basis of the award with the criticism of the winner and the positioning of the Argentine who is without doubt the best player of his generation.

All this talk to build up Messi is as though his football and goals don't speak for themselves like his display against Espanyol.

Fans and journalists who are acting as fans, have tried to explain to the world why he is extraordinary, and it is comical. In his day it was also unnecessary to discuss whether Michael Jordan was the best even if he didn't win the MVP each year. Roger Federer hasn't been number one in the rankings all the time and there hasn't been debate about that.

It has created an atmosphere of corruption and manipulation but the fact is that Messi failed to deliver in the Champions League against Roma, and also the World Cup. I am a fan of Messi as would be any football lover but he was not the best in 2018.

Messi is the number one like LeBron in the NBA but this doesn't mean that he has to win all the awards. It is easy to see. The Godfather came out in 1972 and is one of the best films ever but it hasn't won the Oscar each year since. Messi doesn't need all this fuss. Do him a favour.