Messi reveals Ballon d’Or votes, says not favourite to win
Record Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi has revealed the nominees he would likely vote for in this year’s award.
In an interview with France Football, Messi said he does not think he is the favourite to win the award although, it would be incredible to win another being the first and only player to have won six so far.
He said, “I don’t think I’m the favourite, and I’ve never liked talking about it until the result is in. It would be great to win another one, it’s already amazing to be the only player to have won six.
“A seventh would be incredible. This past summer I won a trophy that was missing in the Copa America and that was the pinnacle for me. If I go on to win another Ballon d’Or, I’ll be very happy and very grateful, but I’m not thinking about it.”
In the summer, Messi joined French Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain ending his 21-year relationship with Barcelona, a move that was both shocking and unexpected.
The 34-year-old also noted that there are two players from his team whom he would cast his vote for and two from other teams who had a great season.
“In my team, there are at least two players for whom I’ll vote in Kylian and Ney. Then [Robert] Lewandowski, who has had a great year. But there’s also [Karim] Benzema.
“We know that trophies are important now. The Champions League, the European Championship and the Copa America always weigh heavily in the vote,” he added.