Former Barcelona star Lionel Messi has this week named his pick for the next Ballon d’Or.
And the Argentine’s choice will no doubt come as a surprise to many…
This comes with Messi of the opinion that the player most deserving of clinching the upcoming ‘Golden Ball’ is fellow countryman Lautaro Martínez.
Frontman Lautaro enjoyed a superb year in 2023/24, racking up 27 goals and seven assists across all competitions for Inter Milan.
As much proved enough to help secure for the Nerazzurri their latest Scudetto crown, with Lautaro as the top scorer in the Italian top-flight.
It is the 27-year-old’s exploits on the international stage, though, which have proven the decisive factor in Messi backing Lautaro to be named world football’s best.
Speaking on the back of Argentina’s 6-0 drubbing of Bolivia this week, the Albiceleste’s captain highlighted his compatriot’s winning goal in the Copa América final, again en route to top scorer status, as the leading factors in his Ballon d’Or claim:
“Lautaro Martinez had a spectacular year, he scored a goal in the final, he was top scorer in the Copa América, he deserves the Ballon d’Or more than anyone. I hope Lautaro wins the Ballon d’Or, he deserves it more than anyone. If it doesn’t come now for him, I’m sure it will come later.”
Conor Laird – GSFN
