Inter Miami head coach Gerardo Martino believes Lionel Messi remains to be “the very best on the earth”, regardless of backing Vinicius Junior to scoop the Ballon d’Or.
Messi claimed the award for a record-extending eighth time final 12 months after main Argentina to their third World Cup crown in Qatar in the course of the 2022-23 voting interval, however he has not been nominated this 12 months.
However that noticed the Inter Miami boss query the factors for the Ballon d’Or this time round, having seen first-hand the 37-year-old’s affect within the MLS this season.
Messi led the Herons to a report factors haul within the Jap Convention, whereas additionally notching 20 targets and 10 assists in 19 league video games.
The Argentine recorded one other help in Miami’s 2-1 win over Atlanta United within the first sport of their best-of-three sequence within the playoffs.
He now has a division-high 31 objective involvements to date this time period, although 5 gamers are just one behind him, together with team-mate Luis Suarez.
They’re all right here! However tonight, one identify will shine much more
Who ought to it’s? #ballondor pic.twitter.com/EBCiRVhYy4
— Ballon d’Or (@ballondor) October 28, 2024
Messi additionally broke the report for probably the most assists in a single MLS sport with 5 assists, whereas additionally scoring a brace to clinch the Supporters’ Protect, the forty sixth trophy of his profession.
Nonetheless, Martino acknowledged the spectacular season Vinicius had at Actual Madrid, with the Brazilian starring in Los Blancos’ LaLiga and Champions League successes.
Vinicius scored 24 targets and added 11 assists in all competitions final time period, and Martino stated he could be a worthy winner of soccer’s most prestigious particular person accolade.
“It [the Ballon d’Or] has by no means been one thing that caught my consideration, nor was it clear to me whether or not the award is for the very best on the earth or of the 12 months,” Martino stated.
“Vinicius Junior most likely has the advantage [of being the best last season], though in the event you ask me who’s the very best proper now, it’s Messi.”
Nonetheless, stories forward of the ceremony prompt Madrid cancelled plans to attend after studying Vinicius had not received the award.
It’s believed that Manchester Metropolis’s Rodri has emerged victorious after profitable the Premier League title and main Spain to the European Championship crown.
Ought to the 28-year-old win the trophy, he would turn into the primary Spaniard to win the award since Barcelona’s Luis Suarez again in 1960.
Rodri would even be the primary participant to win the Ballon d’Or whereas enjoying for an English membership since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008, when he was turning out for Manchester United.
