The Argentine is on course to scoop another major European honour but that should matter little, a former Blaugrana man says
Lionel Messi already deserves to lift a sixth Ballon d'Or regardless of whether he wins the Champions League with Barcelona or not, according to former Brazil striker Rivaldo.
The free-scoring Argentine would undoubtedly be amongst the favourites to lift football's greatest individual honour if he does finish the season with silverware, but Rivaldo feels that Messi is already worthy of the accolade.
“It's impossible to describe Messi,” the former FIFA World Player of the Year told Goal. “I like him so much and I always say I feel so sad because he never won the World Cup with Argentina. It is an award he deserves because a world-class player like him must be a world champion.
“He has been scoring goals, giving assists and being the top scorer in La Liga for a long time and I think what he has been doing in the Champions League means his merits should be recognised.
“He had a chance to score a bicycle kick [versus Man Utd] but it's not an easy one to take because you don't get those chances often in games. It was a good effort but it didn't quite come off.
“Even if he doesn't win the Champions League, however, he already deserves the Ballon d'Or.”
Two fellow countrymen of Rivaldo are talked about a lot in the same breath as Barcelona: Philippe Coutinho and Neymar. And while the former appears to be finding his feet at Camp Nou following a rocky start, the 46-year-old feels the latter made a mistake in moving to Paris Saint-Germain.
“Coutinho is a great player and I am sure he will stay at Barca for a long time. He scored a great goal [against Man Utd] and I think he will stay and be a success. He must be calm because he will be an idol for the fans sooner or later.
“[On Neymar], I have said many times that I think he was wrong [to leave], but everyone is free to make their own decisions. He is still only 27 years old and, who knows, he could come back to Barca. They would probably love to have him back.”
Fuseini Suale
319
6th Ballond'or 6th Golden Boot in advance.Can't wait.
pesabdekl
263
As much as I want Ronaldo to win another ballon d'or, Messi deserves it already whether he win UCL or not.
cizdkmns
147
remember that Ronaldo won ballon d'or in 2012/2013 but Madrid never won champion L, that season it was Bayern who won everything that season but they don't give it to Frank Ribery but Ronaldo took it simple because he was top score both champions L, and in Laliga so messi deserve this one wether he won Champion L, or not.
ChristianOzoagu
146
Messi deserves the balloon for Against us when he scored Showed his speed to react quicker than young was hungry for the ball Phil fought showing Messi his right foot would work I watched him for a while when he's at 18 yard box any fought for Messi is dangerous Showed his strength and tenacity to hold Jones and embarrassed him then I still remember 2009 Rome 2011 That knob head Wish he was in our team
Longlife2000
111
Ballon d'or ranking: #1 - Lionel Messi ✔ #2 - ? 🤔 #3 - ? 🤔 Last year Lionel Messi was placed 5th in the ballon d'or even though he scored the most goals in Europe, even though he won la liga and cdr, even though he won the golden shoe, even though he was individually the best player. He came 5th mainly because of the world cup. 2 world cup winners (Griezmann and Mbappe) placed above him, also UCL winners Ronaldo and Modric, Modric also was a world cup finalist and was named the best player at the world cup. So, who will beat Messi this time ? ❌Modric won't even be in the top 20 as Real Madrid horrendous trophy less season. ❌Griezmann goes trophy less also and has average stats. ❌Ronaldo only scored 25 goals this season and didn't do much this season, crashing out of UCL in the QF. If Messi placed 5th last year while being top scorer and being la liga and cdr champion. It begs the question if Ronaldo will even make it in the top 10. ❌Mbappe scored alot of goals this season and he's currently Messi's only competitor for the golden shoe. He could make it in the top 3 but he won't win it. ❌Salah ? Liverpool is doing great but they are not depending on any one player, it's a team effort. ❌Sterling ? Same as Liverpool, Man City is winning with a team effort not individuality. ❌Hazard ? Neymar ? VVD ? Mane ? Not a single soul can take any individual awards from Messi this season. No one. If they don't give Messi these awards then it is total meaningless. Even if he fails to win UCL no one deserve it more than him. He has no rivals, no one is close to him. 2019 will be Messi's year 🙌🙌🙌
chimeka10
108
if ballon d'or is not given to messi ,then i will know that FIFA truly needs VAR
Benosky1
76
Well, since Balond'or has been winner of UCL, Messi doesn't deserve it yet. Remicence of what happened in 2018, We still have Salah and Mane who are also leading goal scorers in Epl, title contenders and also in UCL. So its not over yet. Take it or leave it. Rivaldo doesn't award balon D'or it's just a statement.
ChapfojiiCR7
76
I'm die hard fan of Cr7... And with full of pain in my heart I agree and accept that Messi purely deserve it😭😭😭 Messi performance is just Mismarizing! Hats off 👍👍👍
johnjohnsjoe
71
he definately deserves it. this season he is leagues above any other player.superb form in every match whether it is la liga or ucl.[Bear][byebye]
Catemop
68
ofcourse he deserve de ballon d Or with everything he did until now enough to lift it ...win or dont win D champions league he deserve ..just let's see the mafia of France and fifa ..they are capable of put any france player suddenly...it will be very funny to do see that..
mugabreazy
62
varverde made messi more productive than ever these two seasons he became so good in almost everything i like this coach
biswash9393
54
With 45 goals & 18 assist you can immediately give messi the golden boot . Messi will surely recive his and only his 6th Ballon d' Or😍
fiwabmt
41
I know cr7 fan boys(juve/Madrid) are hurt cos 1) cr7 could not progress to the semi final 2) Messi progressed to the semi's 3) cr7 is the top goal scorer in Europe while Messi is 4) The balon d or or world best player is immensely tilting towards Messi which might make it his 6th world best player award 5) And Messi has the chance to win the champs league. Sorry guys, that's just football. The reason these things happen is for us to just appreciate football cos ur favorite player can't just win it all every year. Now you can relate with Messi fan boys when Ronaldo won the champ Lg bk to bk to bk.