The Theater du Chatelet, Paris, witnessed the inauguration of Lionel Andres Messi as the Best Male Football Player 2023. Messi Is Infinity, with a gold infinity symbol behind him, was the headline of this ceremony. The symbol, if rotated 90 degrees, will refer to the number 8 as an indicator of the world legend’s 8th Ballon d’Or achievement.
One hundred judges, consisting of one journalist each from the 100 best FIFA ranking countries, reached a quorum that this year’s Leo Messi was more deserving of the Ballon d’Or than Manchester City’s mainstay striker, Erling Braut Haaland. A debate has arisen among round skin lovers, is it true that Messi is more worthy than Haaland?
The following are considerations regarding Leo Messi’s suitability for receiving this annual title created by France Football magazine:
1. Outstanding Performance at the 2022 World Cup Qatar.
With Lionel Scaloni’s Argentinian national team, Messi seemed to have a “lucky spirit” compared to previous periods. Just imagine, he had the opportunity to share a dressing room with other golden generations.
Starting from Juan Veron and Walter Samuel, Roman Riquelme and Pablo Aimar, Carlos Tevez and Mescherano, to the next generation with Kun Aguero and Di Maria. However, it was in the generation when he reached the end of his career that he just won the Copa America and the World Cup.
Lionel Scaloni’s role is very crucial at this moment. Having decided to take a hiatus after his national team’s poor performance at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Scaloni gave him time to think before succeeding in persuading him to return to the Tango uniform again.
The fundamental change that Scaloni made was to reset the mindset of the Argentine national team. If in previous periods Leo Messi was the mainstay of La Albiceleste, now Scaloni wants all the players to play for Leo Messi. It may sound arrogant and cult-like, but it’s works!
After winning their first Copa America at home to Brazil in 2021, Leo Messi et al are looking at the Qatar World Cup with confidence. Even though top seed status can be a burden, the Argentine national team deserves it.
The defeat to Saudi Arabia in the opening match, as well as the intimidating treatment of Messi from the Saudi defender, turned out to be the trigger for his brilliant performance in this event.
Five Man of the Match were obtained from a total of seven Argentina matches. He recorded seven goals and three assists, plus a heroic performance in the final against France.
Winner takes all. That’s how the judges considered Leo Messi’s performance at the Qatar World Cup, which also gave him the title of Best Player throughout the tournament. Meanwhile, Erling Haaland was only a spectator at this biggest event.
2. Last Dance
We can’t lie anymore, we have witnessed Leo Messi’s last World Cup appearance in Qatar. Although there is some hope in 2026, it seems to be just a mirage. Lionel Messi is different from Cristiano Ronaldo, he has also achieved all the titles that a footballer can achieve. So, slim hopes that Messi will play in North America 2026 tomorrow.
Journalists, the majority of whom consider Leo Messi to be a media darling, want to present this title with the title Infinity. An eighth title would further distance him from previous winners, with Cristiano Ronaldo only able to win 5 titles. This last name is worth noting, that his achievements with Al Nassr and Portugal this year could make him a strong candidate for nomination next year.
Choosing Inter Miami as his port at the end of his career will also make it difficult for him to compete with young names such as Haaland, Mbappe or Bellingham at the Ballon d’Or event next year.
3. Messi’s position in the team, when compared to Haaland.
We cannot discuss in comparison the achievements of Messi and Haaland at club and national team, because it would not feel fair. Haaland is a Norwegian, so even reaching the Euros is quite difficult, despite the many goals he has scored for the Vikings. Meanwhile, his career at club level cannot be denied, it was very brilliant. Far superior to Leo Messi, who dropped once in his second season with PSG.
Finally, we have to look at one of the criteria for the Ballon d’Or, namely vital role in the team. Leo Messi’s playing position as an attack organizer, both at PSG and in the National Team, makes him look more vital than the target man position like Haaland. Messi will get the ball more often, plus he is also good at scoring goals.
We can also do other analysis by pulling Messi or Haaland out of the team. PSG and Argentina will feel a tremendous impact if they lose Messi, compared to Manchester City or Norway having to play without Haaland.
It does seem unfair for Haaland with his goals plus treble
e was last season, but this is the criteria for the Ballon d’Or. It will be difficult for a fullback, defender or goalkeeper to get this title, even though within the team they are no less important.
4. Tendency to make Messi the best of all time.
Based on the title given by the media, the Ballon d’Or inevitably cannot be separated from a framing. The world has been divided into team Messi or team Ronaldo in the last decade. But of course the best can only be one, it cannot be shared.
That is what can be expected to be a tendency for the media, for Messi’s heyday to make him the best of all time. Winning the Ballon d’Or can confirm this best status. Likewise, this additional title will keep him away from being chased by future generations.
Of course we will be happy to tell our children and grandchildren that the best of all time is in our time. The names Pele and Maradona could be replaced by Lionel Andres Messi.
That’s what we can dissect behind the decision of the Ballon d’Or panelists to win Messi this year. We can only enjoy the remains of the maestro’s career, which is at the end of his career. Congratulations, King Leo!
ASL
