Lionel Messi was crowned Ballon d’Or for the 8th time in his career. The outcome was not really in doubt despite the seasons of Erling Haaland (2nd) and Kylian Mbappé (3rd). World champion with Argentina last December, the Pulga rode on this success to be crowned again last Monday at the Théâtre du Châtelet. At 36 years old, he asserts himself more than ever as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, in his sport. The results of the votes revealed by France Football this Saturday is a huge plebiscite for him.
It’s very simple, out of the 92 voters, who as we recall had to choose 5 players bringing 6, 4, 3, 2 and 1 points to the designated ones, 87 cited Lionel Messi. 65 people even placed it at number one on their list. He outrageously dominated this Ballon d’Or by obtaining a total of 462 points. It was necessary to decide according to the following criteria: individual performances, the decisive and impressive character of the contenders but also to a lesser extent the collective aspect, the trophies won, as well as the class of the player and his sense of fair play.
Messi and the rest of the world
Erling Haaland has been chosen number one 20 times, such as by Algeria, Cape Verde, Japan, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan and of course Norway. Author of a hat-trick with Manchester City, he still managed a total of 357 units in the final ranking, taking a nice lead over Kylian Mbappé, a triple scorer in the World Cup final. For the first time in his career on the Ballon d’Or podium, the Frenchman finished with 270 points on the clock. Only Bulgaria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast and the Czech Republic placed it in first place.
Because no, France put him in second position, behind Erling Haaland but ahead of Lionel Messi. The journalist of The Team also chose Kevin de Bruyne and Vinicius Jr in 4th and 5th place. Note that Portugal is the only country not to have put any of the three players on the podium at number one. It is Bernardo Silva (he finished 9th in the final ranking) who occupies this position, ahead of Vinicius Jr, Messi, Haaland and Mbappé. But out of all the voters, it is Kevin De Bruyne with 100 points then Rodri with 57 units who finish in the top 5, just ahead of the Brazilian from Real Madrid (49).
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