“Little Bit Like When [Leonardo] DiCaprio Won the Oscar” – Lionel Messi’s Ballon D’Or Prospects Blasted With a Bizarre Comparison to Hollywood Icon

There have been a lot of talks surrounding Lionel Messi and his potential 8th Ballon d’Or title. The star is in pole position to lift the coveted title ahead of Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Rodri. However, a lot of critics believe that Messi winning the award would be a blatant robbery. During their recent podcast on TalkSport, Rory Jennings and Ade Oladipp went all in La Pulga undeservingly winning the award as they compared him to Leonardo DiCaprio winning the Oscars.

The mention was referring to the latest wave of fan exclaims that Leonardo DiCaprio should win the Oscar this time around since it could be his last chance at the prestigious award. Messi potentially is in the same position as the current Ballon d’Or could be his last for the rest of his career.

Lionel Messi compared to Leonardo DiCaprio with 8th Ballon d’Or in sight

Talking to TalkSport, Rory Jennings and Ade Oladipp discussed the chances of Lionel Messi winning the Ballon d’Or over Erling Haaland. Jennings compared it to the time when David Beckham came in second behind Rivaldo, despite completing the treble with Manchester United.

“It’s ludicrous. I remember when Manchester United won the treble and David Beckham finished second. Of course, David Beckham deserved it, but Rivaldo won it. But Manchester United and Beckham eliminated Rivaldo and Barcelona from the European Cup. David Beckham was robbed of the Ballon d’Or and I believe Erling Haaland or Rodri have been robbed of the Ballon d’Or if it goes to Lionel Messi.”

Oladipp and Jennings then went back and forth as they mentioned that this could be Messi’s last Ballon d’Or. Jennings went a notch up and added that the Argentine could just be getting the coveted award for the sake of it, since this is going to be the last chapter in his career.

Here’s how the discourse went.

Ade Oladipp: “This is no dig at Messi. He’s arguably the best player we’ve ever seen.”

Rory Jennings: “No! he’s not the greatest player we’ve seen this year.”

Ade Oladipp: “It’s not like he’s not won it. What has he won seven and this could be the eighth? The year Virgil Van Dijk came second or third and we all thought he should have won it.”

Rory Jennings: “No, but particularly with this one, it’s like when DiCaprio won the Oscar. It’s his last one, isn’t it? And maybe they are giving him one because this one is his final one. This will be his last hurrah in this conversation. He will not win another Ballon d’Or.” 

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While Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Rodri were undoubtedly in exceptional form this season, Lionel Messi put his all into winning the trophy that eluded him for the entirety of his career. The Argentine looks close to winning his record 8th Ballon d’Or title, cementing his legacy as the greatest of all time.

Lionel Messi is on the verge of making an unthinkable record

Soccer has changed leaps and bounds over the past few years. Just a few years back, if someone had mentioned that an MLS player could win the Ballon d’Or, the world would have laughed at the statement. However, Lionel Messi is set to do the unthinkable this season as the Inter Miami superstar is in pole position to lift the Ballon d’Or.

Despite the criticism from experts, La Pulga had an exceptional season last year lifting the World Cup with Argentina while clinching the League One title with PSG.

While a lot of experts consider Erling Haaland’s record-winning season to be a difference maker, it’s important to keep in mind that Messi too posted phenomenal numbers during World Cup years but failed to win the coveted title due to the lack of the international silverware.

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There is no doubt that either Erling Haaland would have triumphed over Lionel Messi if last season was not a World Cup year. However, with La Pulga lifting the one title that eluded him for the vast majority of his career, the Argentine surely deserves his 8th Ballon d’Or.