Joe Cole has insisted that Lionel Messi deserved to win the 2021 Ballon d'Or ahead of Robert Lewandowski and Mohamed Salah despite many objecting to the decision.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) superstar Messi beat Bayern Munich hitman Lewandowski and Chelsea midfielder Jorginho to the Ballon d'Or award this year. The Argentine amassed 613 points, while runner-up Lewandowski earned 580.
While Messi's Ballon d'Or triumph was a cause of joy for the 34-year-old's fans, many believe he did not deserve to win the award. Several former players and pundits have commented on the decision since the event.
Former Premier League star Cole has become the latest to express his thoughts on Messi winning the Ballon d'Or this year. The Englishman insisted that the PSG forward deserved to win the award, considering his contributions to Barcelona and Argentina last season. Messi picked up the Copa del Rey with the Blaugrana and won the Copa America with La Albiceleste.
Joe Cole believes Liverpool winger Salah is the best player in the world at the moment, but feels Messi's Ballon d'Or is deserved. He said to Coral:
"I know there's a lot of noise about Messi winning the Ballon d'Or. You know, was it [deserved?], but you have to remember he dragged his team [Argentina] to the Cope America win, top scorer in the tournament, player of the tournament, won the Copa del Rey."
Cole added:
"You have to see his effect on Barcelona as well. He was basically holding that club together and then he's gone to PSG, scored goals in the Champions League. I know he hasn't hit the ground running in a new country. Salah is the best player in the world now, but I would have just given it to Messi, the Ballon d'Or. I didn't think it was a travesty like what people were saying."
PSG superstar Messi now has seven Ballon d'Or awards in his trophy cabinet.
Can Lionel Messi add more to his Ballon d'Or tally?
Lionel Messi beat Robert Lewandowski and Jorginho to win his seventh Ballon d'Or award. With the forward's career nearing an end, can he add more to his tally?
Messi swapped Barcelona for Ligue 1 giants PSG in the summer. The 34-year-old has a contract with Mauricio Pochettino's side until 2023, with the option to extend it by another year.
The Argentina international could have at least three more years remaining in his career. Messi will be keen to retain his status as the best player in the world in the coming years.
akporere
374
If the ballon d’Or is a highest goal scorer competition…Messi shouldn’t have won. If it’s a competition for best overall player…the overall stats favour Messi by a landslide. 💙 No bias. No opinion. No favouritism. Just stats. 💯🧮 I call a spade a spade ♠️
MichaelBone
265
Legend recognizing Legend 🤷🤷
Nandha77
226
No Cap 🧢👍👀
ManUtdAmadDialo
193
After winning the Champions League with PSG nd the world cup with Argentina next yr, haters wil replace claims of Lewy with Di Maria deserve it[Crylaugh]
PraveenVm
138
Messi - evolution of the genius. Messi was a skillful dribbler running through the defense, people said dribbling doesn't help you win games. Messi started scoring goals, people said Messi is short and couldn't score headers. He scored the most important header in the UCL final, people said he couldn't score with weaker foot. Messi played tiki taka to score goals using both feet, people said it's because his teammates were good. Messi became a pacy winger and destroyed opponents in 1 v 1 situations, people said he doesn't score many goals. Messi became a complete striker and broke all the goal scoring records, people said he's just a penalty box striker. Messi became a false 9 and confused opposition defense, people said he didn't contribute for goals. Messi became a midfield playmaker and broke assist records, people said he couldn't help from set pieces. Messi became a set piece expert and free kick maestro. People ran out of comments and Messi became the greatest footballer of all time.
praneetmessi
115
i don't need to write anything
Nandha77
93
Less Talk, More Action!
Caybdlop
83
Those who says Messi doesn't deserve ballon d'or absolutely mother fucker
heeaeipu
39
I wonder y u compare Messi n cr7. cr7 should be compared to d likes of Bernardo Silva n co not to Messi.
SaurabDhakal10_7
20
fax
Tich1
19
If the ballon d’Or is a highest goal scorer competition…Messi shouldn’t have won. If it’s a competition for best overall player…the overall stats favour Messi by a landslide. 💙 No bias. No opinion. No favouritism. Just stats. 💯🧮 I call a spade a spade ♠️
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maybe you dont understand. look at the stats there. the assist shows how you help others score. recovery is helping the team, dribbles helps the team. so compare Messi and Robert. there's no debate here the truth is people are confused about which season is being considered here.
Raphiejay
16
Legend recognizing Legend 🤷🤷
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Damn the truth in this !!!
Abubakar_01
15
Legend recognizing Legend 🤷🤷
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OMG damn truth
Wewouldbefine
13
Legend recognizing Legend 🤷🤷
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That's how the goat behave, always bringing back the glory and sharing the grace
Reednivol
11
If the ballon d’Or is a highest goal scorer competition…Messi shouldn’t have won. If it’s a competition for best overall player…the overall stats favour Messi by a landslide. 💙 No bias. No opinion. No favouritism. Just stats. 💯🧮 I call a spade a spade ♠️
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We , the People who admire Cristiano Ronaldo are finding it hard to accept that Messi has now got 2 Ballon’d Ors more than Ronaldo. Forget about Lewandowski. He is just a pawn in the argument. Media is fuelling this doubt to keep the Goat debate alive. Ronaldo and Messi have generated millions of news items. Accepting Messi as the GOAT will take away juicy 🥤 news headlines. Remember they had the Pele , Maradona feud on for decades. These dishonest people have been publishing a flood of negative items immediately after Messi won his 7th Ballon’d Or. Facts are there and the Media voted democratically for Messi to win the Ballon’d Or. They are the same. Who are claiming the Ballon’d Or was biased. How can an accepted voting system be corrupt just this once
Kiabdeio
10
Legend recognizing Legend 🤷🤷
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I never thought this way..But its absolutely true buddy😍😍😍
Kushalsandhal
8
Legend recognizing Legend 🤷🤷
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WOW One Of The Best Pictures👏👏👏👌
emabkr42
8
Legend recognizing Legend 🤷🤷
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look at di maria in behind. ronaldo didn't even celebrate with him lol