Argentine football icon Lionel Messi has given his thoughts about the upcoming 2022 Ballon d’Or award. Messi, the reigning Ballon d’Or holder, beat Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski to win the 2021 award which sparked mixed reactions on social media.
In a recent interview, Messi spoke about several issues which included his battle with Lewandowski for the top football award.
According to Messi, Lewandowski should have won the Ballon d’Or in 2021. However, France Football opted not to hold the award due to the coronavirus pandemic which ravaged several countries around the world.
A year later Messi was crowned the winner of the award and many fans believed that it should have been Lewandowski.
Messi on Lewandowski
In the interview, Messi clarified his position about beating Lewandowski to the award.
He said, Everyone, can say what they want. I honestly don’t share what he said, I didn’t give it any importance. Let him say what he wants, I really don’t care.”
“The words I said to Lewandowski were spoken from the heart. I said he deserved the Ballon d’Or 2020. For me, he was the best that year, but he can think what he wants.”
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Messi on Benzema
Messi then went on to give a prediction on who would succeed him as the Ballon d’Or winner in 2022.
The former Barcelona man backed Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema to win the award after leading his side to win La Liga and the Champions League.
He said, “There is no doubt, Benzema had a sensational year and ended up winning the Champions League being important in every game. I have no doubts.”
Messi then went on to give his thoughts about Argentina’s World Cup opponents.
He added, “There are no easy opponents. It’s going to be tough throughout the World Cup.”
Messi is expected to return to action when Argentina takes on Italy in a battle between the champions of South America and Europe scheduled to take place on Wednesday, June 1, 2022.
