“He Is an Attacker and a Midfielder” – Not Lionel Messi but This Ex-Barcelona Star Deserved to Win the Ballon d’Or, Says Famed Analyst

The Ballon d’Or award stands as the most coveted individual accolade in soccer. Argentine superstar Lionel Messi is already synonymous with this prestigious award, as the former Barcelona legend holds eight Ballon d’Or titles. However, according to a famous analyst, there exists a quiet force, a player, who has consistently demonstrated unparalleled brilliance that warrants the recognition of the Ballon d’Or.

The renowned analyst stated that a former teammate of Lionel Messi at Barcelona deserved to rank alongside the greats at the Ballon d’Or gala. Let’s dive deeper and uncover the details behind this exciting ex-Barcelona star.

Renowned analyst picks ex-Barcelona star ahead of Lionel Messi for Ballon d’Or

A respected voice in sports journalism, Suleyman Ozturk, declared in an exclusive conversation that Lionel Messi did not deserve the Ballon d’Or this year. Instead, the analyst claimed that the Frenchman and Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann merited the accolade. Ozturk’s unwavering support for Griezmann stems from the player’s remarkable consistency and adaptability. He highlights the Frenchman’s remarkable injury-free record, having played every minute of every international match since 2017.

“He is an attacker and a midfielder,” Ozturk declares. The analyst also mentioned how Griezmann is a strong contender for the Ballon d’Or and an ‘insane soccer player.’ “I would have given him the Golden Ball instead of Messi. I also thought he was phenomenal during the World Cup, except for the final. Of course, that’s a very important one. That’s how it works in this world,” Ozturk claimed.

While Lionel Messi continues to receive accolades and dominate headlines, Griezmann has quietly carved his path to greatness. His resurgence with Atletico Madrid and commitment to the French national team have made him a topic of discussion. It’ll be interesting to see if the Frenchman becomes the leading contender for the prestigious accolade.

Griezmann’s resurgence at Atletico Madrid

Following a stint at FC Barcelona that failed to materialize, Griezmann embarked on a journey back to his former club, Atletico Madrid. He rediscovered his spark and emerged as a genuine leader on the pitch. His contributions have been nothing short of remarkable since his return. 

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The Frenchman played a crucial role in Atletico Madrid’s success last season, contributing to 16 goals and 19 assists. His impact on the team was also evident in Atletico Madrid’s Champions League clash against Feyenoord, where he led them to a victory.

Whether Griezmann’s name is etched onto the Ballon d’Or trophy in the future remains to be seen. However, Ozturk’s declaration reminds us of the player’s exceptional talent and unwavering dedication, which places him among the world’s elite footballers.

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