"He deserves the Ballon d'Or more than anyone else" - Lionel Messi names his favourite to win award this year
Argentina captain Lionel Messi has named his compatriot - Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez - to win this year's Ballon d'Or. The winner will be announced in Paris on October 28.
Martinez, 27, is coming off a superb year with club and country, striking 27 times and providing seven assists in 44 games across competitions. That includes 24 goals and six assists in 33 games as Inter won the Scudetto.
He also struck once in the final and provided an assist in the semis as I Nerazzurri won the Supercoppa Italiana. Martinez extended his bright form on the international arena, top-scoring with five goals in six games at the 2024 Copa America, including an extra time winner in the 1-0 final win over Colombia as Argentina defended their trophy.
Martinez earned his third Ballon d'Or nomination, following earlier runs in 2021 and 2023, where he finished 21st and 20th respectively. Messi reckons his compatriot would be a deserving winner of the award this year (as per GOAL):
"He had a spectacular year. He scored in the final. He was the top scorer in the Copa America. He deserves the Ballon d'Or more than anyone else."
Martinez, himself, sounded optimistic of his chances, telling TNT Sports (via One Football) in September:
“For the season I’ve had, I think I deserve to be where I am. Because I’ve worked hard, and I’ve also suffered a lot in the previous years. It’s the second time that I’m in the final phase of the Ballon d’Or, and I think I have what it takes to be there.”
It's pertinent to note that Messi - as well as his arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo - didn't make this year's 30-man Ballon d'Or shortlist for the first time since 2003.
Lionel Messi joins Cristiano Ronaldo for most international hat-tricks
Argentina captain Lionel Messi led from the front as the reigning world champions vanquished Bolivia 6-0 at home in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Tuesday (October 15) at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
Messi struck his first hat-trick of the year for club and country, opening the scoring before netting twice late on as La Albiceleste took their hapless visitors to the cleaners.
In the process, the 37-year-old brought up his 10th hat-trick in international football, moving level with Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi now has 58 hat-tricks for club and country, eight less than his Portugal counterpart, as he moved to 846 career goals.