Messi Is The Favourite To Win The Ballon d’Or — Koeman

By Daily sports on July 19, 2021

Lionel Messi is the favourite to win the 2021 Ballon d’Or, according to Barcelona head coach Ronald Koeman, who has also discussed the club's new signings Sergio Aguero and Memphis Depay.

A man who has already won the coveted prize on six occasions is being tipped to get the nod again after following up another impressive campaign at Barca by leading Argentina to glory at the Copa America.

International silverware was the only thing missing from Messi’s illustrious CV, and Koeman believes he deserves recognition for setting the standard in terms of individual brilliance for both club and country over the past 12 months.

Messi is currently a free agent, having seen his last contract at Camp Nou reach its expiry date on June 30, but Barca are on the verge of tying the 34-year-old down to a new long-term deal, and Koeman is counting on him to be a talismanic figure in his squad once again in 2021-22.

“He is vitally important. For what he brings to the team, he’s the captain and an example,” the Barca boss told the club's official website. “His goalscoring has been brilliant despite a difficult start.

“He has shown time and again he is the best in the world. I know how much he wanted to win the Copa América and he has done it at last.

“Messi is the prime candidate for the Ballon d’Or after a great season and, for me, he is the favourite.”  

Messi scored 38 goals in 47 appearances across all competitions for Barca last term, including 30 in La Liga, which saw him earn the Pichichi award for the division's top scorer for a record-extending eighth time.

He also provided 14 assists for his team-mates while helping Koeman’s side win the Copa del Rey, and was able to carry that form onto the international stage.

Messi recorded four goals and five assists in seven games during Argentina’s run to the Copa America crown, scooping Player of Tournament and Golden Ball prizes after their final victory over Brazil. (Goal)

•PHOTO: Ronald Koeman

Source Daily sports

Posted July 19, 2021


 

You may also like...
Ethiopia Beat Ivory Coast In Afcon Qualifier

Drinkwater Sent Home After Training Incident

Chelsea Plots Double Raid On City For Jesus,...

Nottingham Forest bid £20m for Super Eagles’ Emmanuel...

Future Eagles Win Bronze, Return to Nigeria Tomorrow...

PSG Survive Amiens Scare To Share Spoils

 

Latest News CAF awards: Ajibade, Nnadozie, Edo Queens bag nominations Lagos SWAN, PAACC Hold SWAN Day At Golfview Hotels, Ikeja Crisis looms as Eagles’ form raises AFCON, W’Cup concerns Ex-Nigerian Super Falcons player handcuffed, children assaulted as police storm Anambra Football Academy Sports NFF, teammates console Nwabali on father’s death Abia Govt hails Nigeria Olympic Committee over staging an admin course in Umuahia Libya deliver Eagles 2025 AFCON ticket Eagles battle Cheetahs for 2025 AFCON ticket Yellow Greens gear up for T20 W’Cup qualifiers Tyson tips Fury to beat Joshua Sadiq absent as 22 Eagles train in Abidjan Eagles’ striking trio hot for Cheetahs, Amavubi clashes

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (55,164 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (46,307 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (44,370 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (44,015 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (43,948 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (43,904 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (43,743 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (43,312 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (42,366 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (41,054 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (39,507 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (38,931 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media