Lionel Messi will not be the protagonist at the Ballon d'Or gala in Paris. For the first time since 2003, neither he nor Cristiano Ronaldo were among the candidates for a Ballon d'Or that will be decided in Paris. The fact that he plays in MLS, and despite having won the Copa America with Argentina, took him out of the spotlight, but in Miami, and in MLS in general, no one forgets about him. It should be remembered that Messi is the last winner of the trophy (2023) and that he has won it eight times: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2023.
In his 19 games so far in the U.S. championship, the Argentine has scored 20 goals and provided 10 assists, helping Inter to the MLS playoffs after winning the official title (Leo's 46th) of the regular season, the so-called 'Supporters Shield'.
MARCA was in Miami feeling the opinion of Jordi Alba, Leo's teammate at Inter, about the 'France Football' award. This is what he told us: "I never gave much importance to the Ballon d'Or, mainly because there are players who agree, others do not... For me, Leo always has to be there. Maybe, because he came here to MLS, he has not been given the importance he deserves, but Leo continues to make a difference. For me, he is the best in the world without a doubt... and even in his country, Argentina, he is still at the highest level. For me he will always be the best, he has proved it. It is respectable that it is given to another, but that's what I think."
Tata Martino, Inter Miami coach, told us the following when asked by MARCA about the matter. It was a very interesting nuance in which the Argentine added: "This award has never been something that has caught my attention because I was never clear if the award is for the best player in the world or the best player of the year, and there are the two differences. Probably, Vinicius has the merits to be considered the best player of this year and win the Ballon d'Or. But, if you ask me who is the best player in the world today, I will always say that Leo Messi. I think they are two totally different things."