Ballon d’Or 2024: Lionel Messi says Argentina team-mate Lautaro Martinez deserves Ballon d'Or 'more than anyone else'
Published 17/10/2024 at 20:33 GMT+1
Lionel Messi has said his Argentina team-mate Lautaro Martinez deserves the Ballon d’Or “more than anyone else” after a year that has seen him inspire Internazionale to Serie A glory and Argentina to Copa America success. Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr and Manchester City's Rodri are among the favourites to claim the prize at a ceremony in Paris at the end of October.
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Lionel Messi has said Lautaro Martinez deserves the Ballon d’Or “more than anyone else”.
Martinez is among the 30 candidates for this year’s Ballon d’Or award, with the winner set to be announced at a ceremony in Paris on October 28.
Eight-time winner of the award Messi has backed his international team-mate Lautaro to claim the coveted prize after a season that saw him top Serie A’s scoring charts as Internazionale won a 20th Serie A title.
The forward also lifted the Copa America Golden Boot and netted in the tournament’s final as Argentina won their second successive continental prize.
Speaking after netting a hat-trick against Bolivia on Tuesday, Messi said, via Gazzetta dello Sport: “[Lautaro] had a spectacular year.
“He scored in the [Copa America] final and was the best scorer. He deserves the Ballon d’Or more than anyone else.”
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Among the favourites for the award are Rodri, who inspired Manchester City to Premier League glory and Spain to a European Championship crown, as well as Brazil and Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior.
Indeed, Brazil icon Neymar has said he is hoping Vinicius wins his maiden Ballon d’Or later this month.
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Messi believes Martinez should win the Ballon d'Or
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“We have a wonderful relationship, I love Vini,” Neymar said, as per Mundo Deportivo. “Vini is beyond, and he is a great friend to whom I was introduced by football.
“He had a great season, he certainly played a lot. I certainly will be rooting for him to win the Ballon d’Or, I don’t think there’s anyone else but him to win it.
“We hope that it comes back to Brazil soon and that it’s now with Vini, a guy who deserves it because he’s a hard worker and has suffered a lot throughout his life, but he’s surpassed all expectations and [coped with] all the criticism.
“Today, he has become a great idol and a great hero for us, so I am very happy, very happy that he’s carrying this Brazilian flag around the world.”
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