French Media: Messi Remains a Strong Contender for This Year’s Ballon d’Or, Thanks to His Marketing Savvy

The curtain has now fallen on both the European Championship and Copa America, with Spain and Argentina emerging victorious respectively. Discussions around who will claim this year’s Ballon d’Or are heating up.

The French media outlet Foot Mercato recently weighed in on the race for this year’s Ballon d’Or. Their article suggests that the competition for the award is expected to be fierce, making it hard to predict the winner.

The article first mentions Spanish midfielder Rodri, who is currently among the favorites for the Ballon d’Or. Foot Mercato acknowledges Rodri’s impressive performance during the European Championship, akin to his form at Manchester City this season. However, his position as a defensive player might count against him, as the award tends to favor attacking players. Carvajal faces a similar challenge, despite his crucial role at Real Madrid and his numerous accolades. As for Nico Williams or Yarmal, their club performances have not been exceptional, and their displays at the European Championship alone are unlikely to secure them the Ballon d’Or.

The piece then discusses Jude Bellingham, the English midfielder at Real Madrid, and Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior. According to Foot Mercato, Bellingham had an outstanding season at Real Madrid, and if England had won the European Championship, he could have been the leading contender for the Ballon d’Or. Unfortunately, England fell short, and Bellingham’s performance in the final was not particularly impressive. Vinicius Junior’s situation mirrors Bellingham’s; despite a dream season at Real Madrid, his mediocre showing at the Copa America and Brazil’s early exit from the tournament effectively ended his chances for the Ballon d’Or.

Finally, the article turns its attention to Lionel Messi, who helped Argentina clinch the Copa America title today. Foot Mercato notes that although Messi’s performance in the Copa America was not stellar, his team’s triumph boosts his candidacy significantly. Moreover, Messi’s marketing acumen should not be overlooked, which undoubtedly makes him a strong contender for this year’s Ballon d’Or.

Regarding players like Mbappe and Toni Kroos, Foot Mercato believes they deserve nominations, but their underwhelming performances in the European Championship mean they are likely out of the running for the Ballon d’Or. The official list of nominees for the Ballon d’Or will be announced on September 4th, and we can only wait and see who will make the cut.