How Lionel Messi is Positioning Himself as Number One Ballon d’Or Candidate

With two major international tournaments this summer, how players performed with their national teams was always going to be a major factor in the Ballon d’Or. So far at Euro 2020, many of the favourites are out heading into the semi-finals. However, at the Copa America, a very familiar face is leading the charge: Lionel Messi.
While Brazil continue to be the favourites, Messi has Argentina in a very promising position as we get into the semi-finals. And with several of the most favoured Ballon d’Or candidates faltering on the international stage, the 34-year-old looks in pole position to claim the award for the seventh time.
Lionel Messi is Positioning Himself as the Ballon d’Or Favorite
Unstoppable Start to Copa America for Messi
In his five games so far in the tournament, Messi has registered four goals and four assists, both double what anyone else has been able to reach at this stage. Argentina have scored ten goals so far, and the No. 10 has been directly involved in eight of them and has a pre-assist for one more.
His performance in the quarter-finals against Ecuador would be a career game for most footballers, but for Messi, it was just an ordinary Saturday night. He notched two assists, including the most eye-of-the-needle pass we’ll see this year, and scored yet another beautiful free-kick.
The way he placed the ball on the ground to set himself up for the dead ball situation is very indicative of Messi himself: patient, precise, deadly.
After Argentina have fallen at the final hurdle so many times in recent years, the Barcelona man is putting an entire nation on his back to try and finally get that elusive international trophy.
Argentina face Colombia in the semis on Tuesday, and if they win they’d face either Brazil or Peru, with the overwhelming odds going to Brazil in the other semi-final. It’s all set up for the grandstand Argentina v Brazil, Messi v Neymar final every neutral wants, but the game isn’t played on paper, and South American football is certainly capable of many surprises.
Messi is desperate to finally tick that box on his resume and win a trophy with his country, and if he continues his extraordinary form, you definitely wouldn’t bet against him.
Reviewing the Other Ballon d’Or Candidates
Heading into the summer, there was no clear favourite to lift the Ballon d’Or. No club won the treble, which means no player had all but locked up the prestigious award before the international tournaments.
Robert Lewandowski had a record year in Germany, breaking the Bundesliga’s record for goals in a season, but missed both legs of Bayern Munich‘s Champions League elimination at the hands of Manchester City.
City themselves, led by superstar midfielder Kevin De Bruyne and defensive stalwart Ruben Dias, looked on course to not only win the treble but the quadruple. However, two losses to Chelsea, in the FA Cup semi-finals and, crucially, in the Champions League final, put a dent in an otherwise dominant season, winning the league and cup double.
The Champions League winners were able to call upon absolutely world-class performances from the always-underappreciated N’Golo Kante, putting him firmly in the race.
Rounding out the list of favourites is, of course, Messi who in such a tumultuous time for Barcelona, put up ridiculous numbers to singlehandedly will his club back into the title race having been 13 points behind in December.
Barca ultimately disappointingly finished third but did win the Copa Del Rey, with Messi putting in yet another world-class showing in the final against Athletic Bilbao. The Argentine has 28 goals and nine assists in 29 matches in 2021; one goal less than Lewandowski, but five assists more. His 37 goal contributions this calendar year are the most in Europe’s top five leagues.
As Lionel Messi Shines, Rivals Slip at the Euros
In the Euros, many of Messi’s challengers have been underwhelming.
Kante, for the level he was playing at for Chelsea just weeks earlier, had a very quiet tournament as France were eliminated in the Round of 16 by Switzerland in a shocking upset.
Also in that team was Kylian Mbappe, another Ballon d’Or candidate after his impressive Champions League knockout performances, who coincidentally missed the penalty that gave Switzerland the win, massively hurting his chances.
De Bruyne had a stroke of misfortune this summer, severely limiting his abilities at the tournament. He was already injured coming in after his collision with Antonio Rudiger in the Champions League final, which forced him to be on the bench for the first two matches.
Returning to the starting line-up, De Bruyne helped his team beat Finland, then squeaked past Portugal in the Round of 16, but he tore ligaments in his ankle in that match. Despite the advice of team doctors, he played against Italy anyway but was obviously severely limited as his side bowed out of the competition.
Nothing much was expected of Poland and Lewandowski this summer, but they failed to even make it out of the group stages, losing to Sweden in a do-or-die final match despite their talisman’s best efforts, who scored two that game, including a brilliant curler. Lewandowski, although he scored three goals, missed a number of good chances as well and the Euros have certainly not helped his Ballon d’Or hopes.
Portugal were also massively disappointing, significantly denting Dias’s chances as well, as he failed to even come close to replicating his Manchester City form. Cristiano Ronaldo is currently the Euros’ top scorer with five, but three penalties and two tap-ins, combined with a poor match against Belgium, hasn’t helped his outside chances too much.
With the international tournaments reaching their conclusion, the only Ballon d’Or favourite to really boost his hopes has been Messi while everyone else has seemed to slip. In fact, Messi is now first in the betting odds for the award as well by a significant margin.
Of course, there is still half a year of football to be played, but Lionel Messi has put himself in pole position to take home the award, and if he does manage to finally get his first international trophy, he’ll be the overwhelming favourite to get his record-shattering seventh Ballon d’Or, a feat which is very unlikely to ever be replicated.
At the moment, the ball is firmly in his, and Argentina’s, court.
Argentina vs Colombia at 2Am July 7

The dwarf won NOTHING this season. ZERO.

He is not even amongst top 50 players this season. Futile effort.

You're wrong there,
He won Copa Del Rey and he was the top scorer in Spanish football (second to only Lewan in Europe).
And No team in Europe, won treble. So he his in that bracket.

DoggoneDogg:
The dwarf won NOTHING this season. ZERO.

He is not even amongst top 50 players this season. Futile effort.

Somtochukwu19:
You're wrong there,
He won Copa Del Rey and he was the top scorer in Spanish football (second to only Lewan in Europe).
And No team in Europe, won treble. So he his in that bracket.

What the Bleep is a Copa del rey?!

Lewandowski won his league & finished as highest goal scorer in Europe ahead of this same Messi.

So remind me again, how Messi is above him?

DoggoneDogg:
The dwarf won NOTHING this season. ZERO.

He is not even amongst top 50 players this season. Futile effort.

jus imagine d hate...messi is above d rest as it stands, if dm gv am, ur online rants from ur local site can do nothing about it..

DoggoneDogg:


What the Bleep is a Copa del rey?!

Lewandowski won his league & finished as highest goal scorer in Europe ahead of this same Messi.

So remind me again, how Messi is above him?

check d history of balloon d or winners, alot of players have won iy after going trophiless including messi n cr7....u sound like a shallow fan

Leo is winning it, with or without the copa...he us a strong favorite n he just need an average new season and the award is his to lose

How was lewan performance at the Euros?
So winning FA cup is "fuvk" too right?

DoggoneDogg:


What the Bleep is a Copa del rey?!

Lewandowski won his league & finished as highest goal scorer in Europe ahead of this same Messi.

So remind me again, how Messi is above him?

That's just the fact, some people are just too blinded with hate.

paulolee:

check d history of balloon d or winners, alot of players have won iy after going trophiless including messi n cr7....u sound like a shallow fan

The balon d'Or is his to loose.
A good performance at the start of the league. Will make it his.
At it stands, he his the best player at Copa America n will certainly win the top scorer award.

paulolee:
Leo is winning it, with or without the copa...he us a strong favorite n he just need an average new season and the award is his to lose

paulolee:
Leo is winning it, with or without the copa...he us a strong favorite n he just need an average new season and the award is his to lose

This analysis is a funny one.

The Ballon d'Or has been separated from the World Player of the Year...So when you Campaign for your Messi as World Player of the Year I can understand the sentiments; but you expect Messi to win Ballon d'Or for getting to the finals of the Copa America, in an EUROs year? Funny.

What is the business of UEFA & French Journalists with Copa America?

Make a distinction when analysing it oooo....Messi neither won the UCL nor league, and you want him to win Ballon d'Or for scoring a freekick in the Copa.

The likes of Lewy, Kante will be obvious front-runners for the Ballon d'Or, not Messi.

...

Somtochukwu19:
How was lewan performance at the Euros?
So winning FA cup is "fuvk" too right?

Lewandowski scored 3 goals & didn't win it.
Messi has scored 4 goals & hasn't won it.

Your point again?

fergie001:

This analysis is a funny one.

The Ballon d'Or has been separated from the World Player of the Year...So when you Campaign for your Messi as World Player of the Year I can understand the sentiments; but you expect Messi to win Ballon d'Or for getting to the finals of the Copa America, in an EUROs year? Funny.

What is the business of UEFA & French Journalists with Copa America?

Make distinction when analysing it oooo....Messi neither won the UCL nor league, and you want him to win Ballon d'Or for scoring a freekick in the Copa.

The likes of Lewy, Kante will be obvious front-runners for the Ballon d'Or, not Messi.

...

They don't know anything about football. Pretty obvious.

Somtochukwu19:
The balon d'Or is his to loose.
A good performance at the start of the league. Will make it his.
At it stands, he his the best player at Copa America n will certainly win the top scorer award.

So going by this analogy, the best player in Copa America has to be the Balon D'Or?

What made Luka Modric win it?
Was it for the UCL or for pushing his country to world cup final?
Be straight with your analysis.
What did Kante and Lewan do for there national team at the Euros?

fergie001:

This analysis is a funny one.

The Ballon d'Or has been separated from the World Player of the Year...So when you Campaign for your Messi as World Player of the Year I can understand the sentiments; but you expect Messi to win Ballon d'Or for getting to the finals of the Copa America, in an EUROs year? Funny.

What is the business of UEFA & French Journalists with Copa America?

Make a distinction when analysing it oooo....Messi neither won the UCL nor league, and you want him to win Ballon d'Or for scoring a freekick in the Copa.

The likes of Lewy, Kante will be obvious front-runners for the Ballon d'Or, not Messi.

...

Somtochukwu19:
How was lewan performance at the Euros?
So winning FA cup is "fuvk" too right?

And YES, domestic cups are rubbish!

Where exactly do they take you to? If domestic cups are premium, that means Portsmouth (Kanu), Atletico Bilbao(Muinian), Lazio (Immobile) etc all deserve to win Balon D'Ors the year they won it.


Rubbish coming from an Arsenal fan.

DoggoneDogg:
They don't know anything about football. Pretty obvious.

It is what it is.

Check his stat with Barcelona too

DoggoneDogg:


So going by this analogy, the best player in Copa America has to be the Balon D'Or?

Somtochukwu19:
What made Luka Modric win it?
Was it for the UCL or for pushing his country to world cup final?
Be straight with your analysis.
What did Kante and Lewan do for there national team at the Euros?

Luka Modric won the UCL too. The WC gave him an edge.

Messi was dumped out of the UCL. He has not won the Copa America.

Besides, is the copa America mates with a World Cup??

How old are you please?

fergie001:

This analysis is a funny one.

The Ballon d'Or has been separated from the World Player of the Year...So when you Campaign for your Messi as World Player of the Year I can understand the sentiments; but you expect Messi to win Ballon d'Or for getting to the finals of the Copa America, in an EUROs year? Funny.

What is the business of UEFA & French Journalists with Copa America?

Make a distinction when analysing it oooo....Messi neither won the UCL nor league, and you want him to win Ballon d'Or for scoring a freekick in the Copa.

The likes of Lewy, Kante will be obvious front-runners for the Ballon d'Or, not Messi.

...

What of if messi wins the copa?

[[s]quote author=Somtochukwu19 post=103422717]Check his stat with Barcelona too
[/quote][/s]

He is not the highest goal scorer in Europe. Lewandowski is.

fergie001:

This analysis is a funny one.

The Ballon d'Or has been separated from the World Player of the Year...So when you Campaign for your Messi as World Player of the Year I can understand the sentiments; but you expect Messi to win Ballon d'Or for getting to the finals of the Copa America, in an EUROs year? Funny.

What is the business of UEFA & French Journalists with Copa America?

Make a distinction when analysing it oooo....Messi neither won the UCL nor league, and you want him to win Ballon d'Or for scoring a freekick in the Copa.

The likes of Lewy, Kante will be obvious front-runners for the Ballon d'Or, not Messi.

...

you are the one getting It all wrong....the only recovnized award is d ballon d or and it doesn't depends on any performance from euros alone because its a general award..
u saying its a euros year means dt players in south america not playing d euros stands no chance bt its wrong..
ballon d or is an individual award given to any player peformance all season including club and country football inrespective of his continnent....
its funny u calling french jounalist as a factor in this ballon d or, d same sets of journalist dt cant vote for their brother ribery after dt superb season de he won all trophies? instead cr7 with just a copa dey rey won d award....u very funny
kante was once above messi because of his good UCL performance n messi was above lewi because of dt lewi injury n bayern were below their best last season dt he won it..
messi is the current front runner even without d copa because both ur kante n lewi failed to convince d world with thier country performance n dts wat leo av already done with 4 goals n 4 assist in just 5 games....he will win it even without winning d copa....i said it

WhoDeyHause:

What of if messi wins the copa?

He still won't be better than a player that won the Euros PLUS CL.

paulolee:

messi was above lewi because of dt lewi injury n bayern were below their best last season dt he won it..

Excuse me? Messi above Lewa??

Explain please


You must either be a chronic liar or you suffer from some form of mental disability.

So Lewandowski that scored more goals than Messi in Europe (both league & UCL) is below Messi. WOW

Lewandowski that won his league title while Messi finished 3rd is below Messi.



Who are these kids??

DoggoneDogg:


He still won't be better than a player that won the Euros PLUS CL.

Like who pls? Jorginho or chilwell?

DoggoneDogg:


He still won't be better than a player that won the Euros PLUS CL.

funny
guy stop all dis ur childish rants...so dm go gv jorhinho, chiwell or azpilicueta ballon d or because they won both trophies?
which can jonzing talks be all dis wan?? players in dt Germany n bayern squad dt won trebles in club n won world cup join didnt even made d list of ballon d or
or is it key players of dt marvelous spain squad dt won the euros, world cup n even trebles with barca bt it kept going to messi n cr7 because of personal individual brilliance n none of una talk..
now it was first kant because of ucl n now is jorhinho abi?? jokers

DoggoneDogg:


Excuse me? Messi above Lewa??

Explain please

lewi is a goal machine n bayern would always win d league...I mean
messi was above lewi in d ballon d or power ranking simply because
messi was consistent all season bt lewi dropped from winning the UCL
to just a league double and his season was mared by dt critical injury
wen bayern needed him d more..
forget his goals records, do u think Lewi woulf win d ballon d or last
year without Bayern winning the UCL??
d UCL was the key factor n dts wat gave kante d edge over messi bt
kante wrong was his bad form in his country n dts where messi
knocked him off..
the earlier u realise dt players like messi n cr7 dnt need trophies but
a good individual season to win d ballon d or, d better for u..
continue arguing like a blind fan..
seems u haven't learn from cases of shneilder, riberyn Even vvd dt
years their clubs won trophies bt dey jus made d cut..

WhoDeyHause:

Like who pls? Jorginho or chilwell?

Jorginho
Havertz
Azpilicueta
Sterling & Stones (League)


Right now, all these boys are well above Messi because they won the UCL/League & Messi didn't win anything.

If any of them wins the Euros, Messi will not even hold a candle to their performances this season.

What of those that won it without winning any trophy?
Or were they no UCL winners that year?

DoggoneDogg:


Luka Modric won the UCL too. The WC gave him an edge.

Messi was dumped out of the UCL. He has not won the Copa America.

Besides, is the copa America mates with a World Cup??

How old are you please?

paulolee:

lolz

Explain it with facts please

Because in Lewy's so-called poor season, he just broke a 50 year old bundesliga record of most goals scored in a season. 41.

These names won't even make the top 3

DoggoneDogg:


Jorginho
Havertz
Azpilicueta
Sterling & Stones (League)


Right now, all these boys are well above Messi because they won the UCL/League & Messi didn't win anything.

If any of them wins the Euros, Messi will not even hold a candle to their performances this season.

Somtochukwu19:
What of those that won it without winning any trophy?
Or were they no UCL winners that year?

The only player I can remember that won the Balon D'Or without winning anything was Messi in 2010.

Stole Sneijder's award after same Sneijder kicked him out in UCL & WC. Robbery.