"Deserves to win the Ballon d’Or more than anyone" - German Denis believes Argentina star should win prestigious award this year
Former Argentina international German Denis has claimed that Lautaro Martinez deserves the 2024 Ballon d’Or more than anyone else. The Inter Milan forward is one of the dark horses on the 30-man shortlist for the prestigious award.
Martinez enjoyed a successful 2023-24 campaign at club and national team levels. The 27-year-old spurred Inter Milan to win the Scudetto last term - their 20th - contributing 24 goals and six assists in 33 games. In the process, he also emerged as Serie A's top scorer of the season.
After his heroics with I Nerazzurri, the Argentine took his form to Copa America and was instrumental in La Albiceleste’s triumph in the United States. Martinez bagged five goals in six games, including the winning goal in the final against Colombia as Argentina won a record 16th Copa America title. He also finished as the top scorer in the competition.
These achievements German Denis believes should win his compatriot the Ballon d’Or. Speaking recently in an interview with TMW, the former Napoli, Udinese and Atalanta forward said (via Football Italia):
"This season, Lautaro Martinez deserves to win the Ballon d’Or more than anyone because he scored a lot and achieved all his goals."
Martinez, however, has had a slow start to the current campaign. The Inter Milan skipper has three goals and three assists in eight games across competitions for the Serie A side.
Ballon d’Or set to launch new rule ahead of award ceremony: Reports
The organizers of the Ballon d’Or are reportedly set to launch a new rule change ahead of the 2024 ceremony. Previously, players who would win the prestigious award were told and interviewed beforehand.
However, according to journalist Mario Cortegana, this will not happen again. Eventual winners will only find out on the day of the ceremony rather than earlier and be obliged to keep it a secret.
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr is the leading candidate for this year’s award. He faces stiff competition from Manchester City’s Rodri, teammate Jude Bellingham, and Inter’s Lautaro Martinez.
The award ceremony will hold at the Theatre du Chatelet, Paris, France, on October 28.