International soccer can never cease to perplex you. With Euro 2024 and Copa America running parallel, competition has not just been between nations but also continents, as debates emerged about which of the tournaments is better. The battle now has come to the level of players from two continents: Europe and South America. Former Argentina star, Sergio Aguero, triggered some heavy reactions from fans, including trolls, after starting the ‘Lionel Messi versus Jude Bellingham’ debate. This comes after Bellingham took England to an unlikely victory against Slovakia in the Euro Round of 16.

Meanwhile, everything was at stake for this English team who were under heavy pressure by the fans for some under-par performances. The team was lacking attacking firepower and Gareth Southgate’s tactics of keeping talented youngsters on the bench resulted in fans’ fury. Well, Bellingham’s heroics may have put them to bed also keeping him beside Lionel Messi.

Is Jude Bellingham’s brilliance enough to keep him above Lionel Messi?

Until the 5th minute of the stoppage time in the second half, England were lurking at a major embarrassment heading to a 0-1 loss to Slovakia. But Bellingham turned the table with an overhead banger in the 95th minute to help the Three Lions equalize and head to the extra time. Subsequently, Harry Kane’s header in the first minute of the extended game sealed the victory for England. But Aguero chose to bring Lionel Messi into the conversation leading to a fan juggernaut. Aguero posted a poll on X (previously Twitter) asking, “For you, who should win the Ballon d’Or?” Adding, Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe Vinicius Junior, to the options.

However, the inclusion of the Argentine captain brought some mixed reactions. Messi won the last year’s award after winning the World Cup and French League. But the way supporters responded to Aguero grabbed X’s attention.

Fans go uninhibited to Messi vs Bellingham poll

With some exceptional performances by all three players, including Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Bellingham, the previous season, a few fans did not hesitate to call Aguero for his post. One fan added a meme to suggest that Lionel Messi shouldn’t have been on the list. The current year has some stiff competitors for the Ballon d’Or with Bellingham and Vinicius Junior contributing a lot to Real Madrid’s UEFA Champions League and La Liga triumph. Another meme also expressed a similar opinion saying, “Who invited my man blud 😭😭😭, ” Bro think he’s on the team.”

One reaction took a sarcastic dig saying, Messi was added due to his World Cup win. Some critical fans argued that FIFA’s awarding him Best Player last year was based on his WC win the year before and claimed that Erling Haaland should have won it.

Surprisingly Aguero was declared to be harmful by an angered fan, who felt his opinions were not good for the sport. Aguero has been friends with Messi since childhood and backed him most of the time.

The Inter Miami captain also found favor with many supporters. One claimed that if he won the Copa America and the MLS, he would deserve the award. Meanwhile, Argentina holds a chance for another Copa America title this time. In addition, inter Miami is leading the Eastern Conference table this season and holds its best chance of winning. However, the awardee would have been decided by then.

Despite all the discussion, Jude Bellingham looks to have made his case for this year’s award. And with tough competition coming from Mbappe and Vinicius, the Real Madrid boys look like favorites this time. Who do you think will win the Ballon d’Or this year? let us know in the comments.