Kurt :
The Ballon d’Or is supposed to reward the player who had the best individual year, and in my opinion, Lionel Messi did not deserve to win it in 2015, 2021 and 2023
In 2021, Robert Lewandowski was the clear winner. He dominated European football, finishing as the top scorer in both the Bundesliga and the Champions League while leading Bayern Munich to another Bundesliga title. His consistency, goalscoring ability, and overall impact throughout the entire season were unmatched. Many people argue that Messi deserved it because of his Copa América triumph with Argentina, but an international tournament lasting a few weeks should not outweigh a full year of excellence at club level. Lewandowski had already been denied the 2020 Ballon d’Or due to the cancellation of the award, and 2021 should have been the year he finally received the recognition he earned.
The 2023 Ballon d’Or should have gone to Erling Haaland. He was the driving force behind Manchester City’s historic treble-winning season, helping the club win the Premier League, the FA Cup, and the Champions League. On top of that, he finished as the top scorer in the Premier League, the Champions League, and the domestic cup competitions. Breaking records in his first season in England while leading his team to one of the greatest achievements in football history should have been more than enough to secure the award. Messi’s World Cup victory was extraordinary, but Haaland’s dominance over an entire club season was simply unparalleled.
As for 2015, Neymar should have won the Ballon d’Or. No explanation is even necessary.
These are, of course, personal opinions, but many football fans believe that individual performances and consistency over an entire season should matter more than popularity, narratives, or success in a single tournament.
2026-06-27 03:18:40