Several players from FC Barcelona have won the Ballon d’Or in the past, but none of these players has been able to dominate this title as much as Lionel Messi.
In fact, no other player has been able to win as many Ballon d’Ors as Lionel Messi, and the closest player to him in this regard is Cristiano Ronaldo, who has won five Ballon d’Ors in his career.
However, Messi is still not done, and as already reported here, he is the favorite to win this year’s Ballon d’Or as well. The ceremony for this year’s award is scheduled to be held on 30th October, when the official winner of this year’s edition will be announced.
Messi and Haaland contesting for the Ballon d’Or
While he has been wildly successful throughout his career, the best moments of Messi’s career came when he played under Pep Guardiola in Barcelona. The Argentine was able to win a treble with the now Manchester City manager and was the most remarkable player of the team that dominated Europe for years in a row.
Pep Guardiola is currently managing Manchester City, whom he won another Treble last year, the second of his career. One of the most influential players in this campaign for Guardiola was Erling Haaland, who scored thirty-six goals in thirty-five appearances in the Premier League, and another twelve goals in eleven Champions League appearances.
Last year was also highly memorable for Messi, as he at last won the World Cup to emerge as the undisputed best player of his generation.
Guardiola on Messi
As a result, both the players are the favorites for the Ballon d’Or, and both having been associated with Guardiola, the latter was asked about his opinion on who the winner should be. To this, Guardiola replied with a shower of praise for the Barcelona legend:
“The Ballon d’Or has to be two sections. One for Messi, and after look for the others. The worst season of Messi is the best for the rest.”
Thus, Guardiola has clearly given his preference for the winner of the Ballon d’Or, and everything indicates that the Argentine would go on to win this title for a remarkable eighth time.