With the Ballon d'Or winner set to be announced in a ceremony on Monday, football personalities are chiming in on who deserves to take the golden ball home this year.
CBS Sports football analyst Thierry Henry named Lionel Messi as his pick on Wednesday.
'I mean a lot of people can debate that but for me if you win the World Cup, the way he did it, we can talk about what happened in the final,' the former Arsenal and France star said on CBS Sports. 'As a Frenchman, I was a little bit disappointed with how it finished but you can't say that it isn't deserved if he wins it.'
Henry, 46, went on about why the Argentina and Inter Miami forward deserves the coveted award for his heroics at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in December.
'A lot of people can claim that Man City players, Haaland and some other players can also say "why not me?" but you can't say that it's not right if he wins it. You have the history at times where I'm thinking about Lewandowski, they decided to say there will not be a Ballon d'Or but there was football. Why was the guy not allowed to win his Ballon d'Or?'
Messi's biggest competitor for the award this year is 23-year-old Manchester City forward Erling Haaland.
After leaving Borussia Dortmund to join the English side in 2022, the Norwegian phenom immediately became the spark of City's offense. Haaland scored a record-breaking 52 goals for the club last season, leading City to their first treble.
Meanwhile, Messi captained Argentina towards the World Cup in Qatar, scoring seven goals including two in the dramatic final against France. Following the World Cup, Messi left Paris Saint-Germain in a record-breaking deal to join Inter Miami CF in MLS.
Within two months, Messi led Miami to their first club trophy, winning the inaugural Leagues Cup. He also took his side to the US Open Cup final but lost to the Houston Dynamo.
While the 36-year-old previously won the Ballon d'Or on seven different occasions, Henry remained adamant that Messi deserves to win his eighth.
When directly asked by fellow pundit Jamie Carragher who he thinks should win the Ballon d'Or on Monday, Henry made his answer short and simple.
'For me, Messi. Bye. Over.'
Bubbcepsy
333
If mbappe wins a treble with psg with 55 goals an rashford win the world cup that same year with most goals in the tournament who deserves balon dor???
Hejbokaj
314
don't confuse a world class goalscorer with a player who is world class in every aspect of the game Haaland is amazing and will get his well deserved golden boot. But Messi is Messi, he has revolutionised the game, and at his age doing what he did at the WC has not been seen since players like Maradona and Pele Messi is the GOAT
Peaceking1234
293
Keeping it Safe for the King👑 before a Certain Base come and Steal it Physically , We know them😂😂
Mapabeimru
206
You don’t have to insist, they’ll give it to him it’s what they do. So why the conversation, everyone knows who wins each season. It doesn’t matter whether he deserves it, it’s given to him anyway. So why all the fanfare
Netabeist
128
When Ronaldo won euro with Portugal people criticized Messi . For not winning any trophy with his country Argentina now Messi has won three trophies with his country including the World Cup and people are still debating . I think at this point . Let’s just put Messi at the top and Ronaldo behind because even if Ronaldo eventually won the cup he can’t and will never match Messi’s 8 ballon d’or .
Linbmnrtu
8
If mbappe wins a treble with psg with 55 goals an rashford win the world cup that same year with most goals in the tournament who deserves balon dor???
but at the same time, what if Rashford won Motm in every stages, Scooped every awards, a league title with another domestic title with the Highest goal and assist contribution? Please make the question more clear for the audiences to Understand