Xtra Time Web Desk: Lionel Messi is said to have won a seventh Ballon d’Or ahead of Monday night’s gala event in Paris. The Paris Saint-Germain superstar, 34, face stiff competition from Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski and Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema.
Rumours of the Argentinian legend sweeping the award for a record seventh time is flooding the social media handle twitter with famous personalities and football experts joining in giving their reactions.
As rumours of a Messi victory swept through Twitter, as per The Sun, Italian reporter Matte Moreno responded by writing: “Messi, his friends already know.”
Meanwhile, in Spain, El Chiringuito host Josep Pedrerol posted: “Messi, Benzema, Lewandowski…”
Benzema has been outstanding for Madrid and France this year. Lewandowski smashed Gerd Muller’s record in Germany last season.
Messi was superb for Barcelona in the opening half of 2021 and finally won a major international trophy at the Copa America with Argentina. However, his form since joining PSG last summer has been questionable, netting just one Ligue 1 goal in six matches.
While it appears, likely Messi will win the Ballon d’Or at Monday night’s ceremony, former Real Madrid and Netherlands midfielder Rafael van der Vaart gave a damning assessment of his current form. Messi won the Copa del Rey with Barcelona last season then finished top scorer with four goals as Argentina won the Copa America.