Italy's Euro 2020 win has seen some unlikely and improbable names touted as possible Ballon d'Or candidates over the last week, with Jorginho being the most spoken about candidate. The Brazil-born Azzurri midfielder has had a year like nobody else - Chelsea and Italy teammate Emerson Palmieri aside - by winning the Champions League and then the European Championship six weeks apart.
However, there are other candidates and Lionel Messi could be set for his seventh after winning the Copa America.
Chiellini's case
Giorgio Chiellini's name has even been mentioned after his Euro 2020 heroics, although no defender has won the prize since Fabio Cannavaro led Italy to success at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
But, in truth, Chiellini didn't have his best club season with Juventus and injuries have plagued the last couple of years for him, so to award him the Ballon d'Or off the back of a summer tournament - during which he also missed out at times due to injury - would be a disproportionate reaction to what was an impressive contribution.
Messi's award
Having finally won the Copa America with Argentina and ending a 28-year wait for silverware, nobody should win this year's Ballon d'Or above Messi. It's easy to forget, as well, that the No.10 was excellent for Barcelona last season, finishing as LaLiga Santander's Pichichi and leading an unlikely title challenge in the second half of the season.
In truth, as long as Messi is playing at the elite level, there's no footballer out there who should win the Ballon d'Or above him. That Cristiano Ronaldo - with five - is even within touching distance of Messi's six so far does a disservice to the Argentine, who has been far and away the greatest player of his generation and arguably of all time.
It's time that his superiority was made clear. It's time that for daylight to appear between Messi and Cristiano's Ballon d'Or counts. Give Messi his seventh this year, and let his eighth and ninth follow.
Amgnonijunior
1172
Even Ballon d'Or contenders are voting for Messi to win it๐
Charliechaplain
659
[Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Mosanya
651
Messi shaking hands with players who deserves the Ballon dโOr
Desmondeyum
561
Short hair Messi was all about goals, breaking records and winning balon dโors but you see long hair Messi 19? That was an evil spirit. Didnโt care about his teammates, he wanted your defenders to have nightmares of him
jack_krone
534
Ronaldo doesn't think about Ballon Do'r because he know Lord Mendes already book Dubai Do'r for him
Desmondeyum
510
He left this much space for obvious reasons...
Charliechaplain
501
๐๐๐๐๐๐คwhy penaldians?? we wish ur goat s best n u don't wanna wish ours??
N0_N0NsENSE
297
SOME FOOTBALL RELATED THINGS THAT NEEDS TO CHANGE AFTER MESSI DECIDES TO HANG UP HIS BOOTS โBALLON D'OR TO MESSI D'OR โLA LIGA TO LA MESSI โPOTT TO MOTT โDRIBBLES TO MESSIBBLES LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST โFOOTBALL TO MESSIBALL
Professorvikky
258
For all those who are projecting Jorginho for Ballon d'Or
yaeadmoy
165
Ronald...'s fans waiting to see him in top 3 of ballon d'or contenders๐๐๐
Longlife2000
151
Yeah ๐๐๐๐
Brightberry
46
Forget Messi and the rest, the Ballon dโOr is for Jorginho.
Naveenraj222
19
Forget Messi and the rest, the Ballon dโOr is for Jorginho.
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Charliechaplain
14
Yeah ๐๐๐๐
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the guys talks too much
SH3012
13
Short hair Messi was all about goals, breaking records and winning balon dโors but you see long hair Messi 19? That was an evil spirit. Didnโt care about his teammates, he wanted your defenders to have nightmares of him
yes this Messi which was 19 years old,i am a Ronaldo fan but i am being fcking honest,he was scary af.he was too good for BARCELONA.๐ฅ
fueacmnu
12
Forget Messi and the rest, the Ballon dโOr is for Jorginho.
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I am sure this is not meant for Jorginho , this is meant Messi not to have it by a fan of CR7 . Poor attempt ๐คฃ๐๐ ๐คฃ๐
Gunners4everโค
10
Forget Messi and the rest, the Ballon dโOr is for Jorginho.
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Not even worthy of top 5. Lewandowski, Messi, Mount, Kane and Mbappรฉ are all clear.
yaeadmoy
10
Forget Messi and the rest, the Ballon dโOr is for Jorginho.
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what about Ronaldo?๐๐๐๐๐ fake fans us Messi fans are always supporting Messi but you Ronaldo fans I don't know
Professorvikky
9
Forget Messi and the rest, the Ballon dโOr is for Jorginho.
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this level of slap u deserve.
WilsonRodin
8
Short hair Messi was all about goals, breaking records and winning balon dโors but you see long hair Messi 19? That was an evil spirit. Didnโt care about his teammates, he wanted your defenders to have nightmares of him
So true bro. Wish I could double like. ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐