Despite Most Ballon d’Ors, Lionel Messi Denied the Super Ballon d’Or by France Football

The debate of who will be voted the best soccer player on the planet intensifies. This year saw competition at a very high level, with three players competing. Lionel Messi, who already won it seven times before, is now looking to grab his eighth. But after winning many prestigious awards, the Argentinian has still not won the Super Ballon d’Or.

A few critics had already questioned Messi, who has a chance of winning his eighth. Some experts feel that Erling Haaland has more achievements than him. But excluding the latest drama, the hosts denied the Inter Miami star a much more premium award.

Lionel Messi denied the Super Ballon d’Or

Messi won his first Ballon d’Or in 2019 when he won the treble under Pep Guardiola. But since then, there was no looking back for the star, just like the legendary Johan Cruff predicted: “He will win five, six or seven.” The Argentinian skipper, however, would have loved to upgrade, but news broke out that the 7-time winner won’t be given the Super Ballon d’Or.

According to Jose Felix Diaz, a journalist, “Lionel Messi will win the Ballon d’Or, tonight in Paris. There was a suggestion that he be awarded the Super Ballon d’Or, which only Argentine Di Stefano achieved, but the proposal was rejected by France Football.”

Dian mentioned that Messi is going to win the 2023 Ballon d’Or. It also reveals that there were suggestions to award him the trophy given to the best player in the past three decades. Nevertheless, France Football, the bestower of the trophy, dismissed the suggestion.

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Alfredo Di Stefano was the only player to win it earlier, who was also an Argentinian. The Real Madrid star in the 50s won 5 consecutive European Championships with Real Madrid and scored 308 goals overall. He received the award in 1989 from France Football after being voted by many previous Ballon d’Or winners.

What makes Messi a candidate for the exclusive trophy?

People may ask what makes Lionel Messi eligible for the trophy. But what doesn’t? The two-time FIFA World Cup Golden Ball winner has 7 regular ones.

In addition, the star is also the most decorated player in world soccer, with 44 trophies, 1 FIFA men’s World Cup, and 1 Olympic Gold Medal. And also some unique individual honors like 2 Laureus Sportsman of the Year awards, the only soccer player to have so.

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Cristiano Ronaldo can also be a great competitor to Messi. But last year’s World Cup, coupled with Messi’s playmaking skills and assists can favor the former Barcelona star a bit more. But people still feel it was too early in the decade, and Messi could win in 2029.