Discounting Lionel Messi ahead of awards season is always a gamble. The 39-year-old superstar has a knack of delivering when it matters most, and once again, it happened. Messi found the opener in the 24th minute with a header against Cruz Azul before assisting Casemiro to seal a 2-0 Inter Miami victory in the Campeones Cup final.
That header to open the scoring was the 100th goal of his Inter Miami career and the 49th trophy of his magnificent career. Any discussion about the Ballon d'Or race has to consider what Messi is currently achieving on a near-weekly basis.
The case for Messi in the top three
France Football has very strict guidelines on what they look for in their Ballon d'Or award. Let's dissect the parameters one by one:
Individual Performance: Scoring 100 goals for one club in two and a half years while also carrying the creative duties of the team is a phenomenal achievement. Not to mention, the fact that he continues to find a way to contribute in the most important games. He single handedly carried Argentina to the World Cup final, and this is a feat that can never be replicated by anyone.
Team Success: Messi knows how to win trophies, and after adding yet another title to his collection this week, it is hard to ignore his accomplishments in this category. The 39-year-old added to his domestic league silverware in the U.S. with Inter Miami before also guiding his country to another successful international campaign.
Class/Personality: There has been no greater ambassador for the game over the past 15 years than Messi. He has an outstanding work ethic and an impeccable field etiquette that sees him earn plaudits from fans and media.
The podium
This isn't to knock down players like Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal. The Bayern Munich striker is a phenomenal talent who finds a way to contribute in almost every game for his club this season.
Meanwhile, Yamal is playing football of a different standard in Barcelona under Hansi Flick. His influence has seen Barca register a staggering 30-goal opening to their La Liga campaign.
Lamine Yamal and Harry Kane deserve to be in the conversation, but so does Messi. When a player of his calibre continues to register double-digit goal and assist seasons, elevates every team he plays for, and adds to his trophy haul on a near-weekly basis, he has to be in the conversation for individual awards.
Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal, and Harry Kane would make the most balanced top three for the Ballon d'Or.
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