Lionel "The Greatest of All Time" Messi

[Wambo]

It would be weird if it didn't. Every WC season it has the most impact in the voting.
But apart from that, is there another player individually performing above and beyond apart from Mbappe? He is the only one really on that individual level I think.

Why didn't Iniesta or Sneijder (Who won UCL, domestic title, Coppa, and was a WC finalist) win it but Messi did? Modric won it for 2018 just because of the UCL and being a WC finalist, yet Sneijder, who won more titles in 2010, didn't win. So how come?

There have been so many inconsistencies when it comes to the Ballon'dOr that you can't just take it seriously anymore.

 

[KingLeo10]

Why didn't Iniesta or Sneijder (Who won UCL, domestic title, Coppa, and was a WC finalist) win it but Messi did? Modric won it for 2018 just because of the UCL and being a WC finalist, yet Sneijder, who won more titles in 2010, didn't win. So how come?

There have been so many inconsistencies when it comes to the Ballon'dOr that you can't just take it seriously anymore.

Because someone scoring almost 50 goals in a season (Messi scored 47 in 09/10) was unheard of in those times (it hadn't happened since R9's 47 goal season in 96/97 lol). Not to mention Messi had a blazing start to 10/11, which was arguably his best season ever (along with 14/15).

By 2018, scoring 50-60 goals (hell even 70+ by Messi) had become relatively common by Messi/CR7. And so Modric was rewarded over CR7.

 

[Nazario1985]

Why didn't Iniesta or Sneijder (Who won UCL, domestic title, Coppa, and was a WC finalist) win it but Messi did? Modric won it for 2018 just because of the UCL and being a WC finalist, yet Sneijder, who won more titles in 2010, didn't win. So how come?

There have been so many inconsistencies when it comes to the Ballon'dOr that you can't just take it seriously anymore.

It's not a formula

it's all about your contribution to a team.

In theory, it's an individual achievement, also in theory you could have the best player in history who choose to play for Las Palmas if he wants to ... and their not gonna win shit, but still in theory he should be crowned.

What Messi did that season at an individual level was crazy.

If we follow your logic Ballon d'or = the star player of the best team, which is not

 

[fergus90]

Messi will win the Balon D'or regardless of the CL result. I think most pundits recognise PSG as a bit of a mess so there's no expectation for them to win it based on their current team.

Plus if Messi's out, so is Mbappe of course.

 

[Richard.H]

Messi will win the Balon D'or regardless of the CL result. I think most pundits recognise PSG as a bit of a mess so there's no expectation for them to win it based on their current team.

Plus if Messi's out, so is Mbappe of course.

If RM wins again, then suddenly one of Benzema or Vinicius become a big contender. CL does factor in, but I agree it's mostly about individual given he won in 2019 too.

 

[raskolnikov]

I think its mainly the most popular player of the team that winst the biggest prize.
Unless someone is larger than that. Like Messi/Cr7 or Mbappe currently and the other guy isnt a clear solid best player of that team or on the same popularity level.
Like sneijder, ribery, Neuer or Van Dijk.

Sometimes other things factor in like well. Media bias, campaigns, friendly biased voting or great sccomplishments being a factor (like Messi's 91 goals). The whole thing is overrated in the grabd scheme as well

 

[JohnN]

A factor could be leading an average Argentina side to a world cup at 34yo after 30+ plus years and winning the best player of the tournament award.
Messi has deserved the award every single time he got it and even more. He has been at least a level better than any other player of his generation.

 

[Wambo]

It's not a formula

it's all about your contribution to a team.

In theory, it's an individual achievement, also in theory you could have the best player in history who choose to play for Las Palmas if he wants to ... and their not gonna win shit, but still in theory he should be crowned.

What Messi did that season at an individual level was crazy.

If we follow your logic Ballon d'or = the star player of the best team, which is not

Ok, which team is it then, the club or national team? Messi had a excellent individual 2010 year but won only 2 club titles. If contribution what it's all about like you say then why didn't Sneijder win it? One time they decide on individual basis and the other time they decide on team contribution like with Modric in 2018? And we all know Modric wasn't the best if we talk about individual performance.

Their criteria is inconsistent.

 

[raskolnikov]

Ok, which team is it then, the club or national team? Messi had a excellent individual 2010 year but won only 2 club titles. If contribution what it's all about like you say then why didn't Sneijder win it? One time they decide on individual basis and the other time they decide on team contribution like with Modric in 2018? And we all know Modric wasn't the best if we talk about individual performance.

Their criteria is inconsistent.

You also have to factor in that they merged this awards for several years.
If its the only journalists vote more prestigious award then the results are like this:
2010: iniesta ( vote was close, inesta had 40, xavi 36 and sneijder 35. Was a pick em year.
2011: messi
2012: messi
2013: Ribery
2014: Ronaldo
2015: Messi

Its in line with 9 out of 10 times the cl/wc winner is a huge factor.

There can be arguments for the fifa best award to be better caused its judges by peers but its more of a popularity contest there on reputation.

So im not sure which is better but its a stupid thing regardless.
Remember, messi and mbappe both scored their penalties.
After which the teammates decide who is the best player of the year by scoring or missing?
In the end thats how it goes down and is decided by small things often.

 

[bismp]

People forget how good Leo was in 2009/10...People were already starting putting him in the GOAT conversation. As others said, 47 goals in a season was pretty unheard of at the time, had not happened in over a decade. Furthermore, the quality of these goals was pretty insane, many of them were solo goals, dribbling past the defenders. In general, Leo's dribbling and scoring were on an another level. Individually he already reached that Pele/Maradona/R9/Cruyff level...And despite not winning the CL or the WC, he played in arguably a top 3 team in Europe, scoring many crucial goals along the way.

 

[KingLeo10]

People forget how good Leo was in 2009/10...People were already starting putting him in the GOAT conversation. As others said, 47 goals in a season was pretty unheard of at the time, had not happened in over a decade. Furthermore, the quality of these goals was pretty insane, many of them were solo goals, dribbling past the defenders. In general, Leo's dribbling and scoring were on an another level. Individually he already reached that Pele/Maradona/R9/Cruyff level...And despite not winning the CL or the WC, he played in arguably a top 3 team in Europe, scoring many crucial goals along the way.

Well said, the only change I would suggest is that we were the best team in the world in 09/10.

In the 4 games v Inter (across the group stages + KOs), we were 2 W, 1 D, 1 L. It's just that the loss came at a bad time with the whole volcanic eruption and travel by bus.

 

[Morten]

Well said, the only change I would suggest is that we were the best team in the world in 09/10.

In the 4 games v Inter (across the group stages + KOs), we were 2 W, 1 D, 1 L. It's just that the loss came at a bad time with the whole volcanic eruption and travel by bus.

Then again, you had about 70 minutes at the Camp Nou against 10 men to turn it around.

 

[Barcaman]

Looked nervous but fought through it. Deserved. Maybe the last time we see him winning this.

Was a highlight for us too as Barca fans as he represents Barca legacy, not to mention that corny Messi-Ronaldo "debate".

A win for Messi. A win for Barca. 2022 was all about Messi's World Cup.

 

[magicomessi]

the greatest international career ever:
Top scorer , top assist provider, most selections ever for his country.
World Cup champion, Copa America champion, Olympic Gold medal winner, Finalissima winner, U20 WC winner.
Plus lead his country to another WC final and 3 more Copa America finals.
Overall went all the way in 2/4 World Cups that he started an adult (in 2006 he was too young and coming from the bench) and also in 4/6 Copa Americas. Insane stuff. Unreachable level of impact and carry job on his National team. To go all the way in 60% of the big tournaments you lead your country in and also winning everything once is something unique that only he can brag about having done.
The greatest of all time.

 

[magicomessi]

Well said, the only change I would suggest is that we were the best team in the world in 09/10.

In the 4 games v Inter (across the group stages + KOs), we were 2 W, 1 D, 1 L. It's just that the loss came at a bad time with the whole volcanic eruption and travel by bus.

in 0/10 we were the best thanks to messi ... most of the main players were injured or playing badly