Former Barcelona forward and Argentina captain Lionel Messi has backed his compatriot to clinch this year’s Ballon d’Or award as the gala night draws nearer. 

The football legend, who claimed a record-breaking eighth Ballon d’Or last year following the 2022 World Cup glory in Qatar, won’t be defending his title this year but has aired his view on who he thinks deserves to land the individual accolade.

This year’s favorite candidates are Real Madrid’s pair of Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Júnior, as well as Euro 2024 and Premier League champion Rodri.

However, the 37-year-old threw his weight behind in-form Argentina partner and Inter Milan talisman Lautaro Martinez as the one he believes should seal the award and replace him as the World’s best player. 

Martinez, 27, is coming on the back of the impressive season he had in the last campaign; during which his 27 goals and seven assists in 44 outings across all competitions last season inspired the Nerazurri to the league title and the Supercoppa Italiana.

Martinez also cemented his place in the ranking of the World’s deadliest goalscorers – at least in the last four years – after scoring five goals in six Copa America games – which included his winner in the final as Argentina defeated Colombia 1-0 to retain their title in July.

And after finishing 21st and 20th in the ceremony in the 2021 and 2023 editions of the award, his idol and captain believes he deserves to go 20 steps better this time.

“He had a spectacular year; he scored in the final, and he was the top scorer in the Copa America. He deserves the Ballon d’Or more than anyone else,” Messi said.

This year marks the first time in twenty-one years that neither Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo have been nominated for the 30-man shortlist. Also, In the last 16 years, only Karim Benzema and Luka Modric have won the Ballon d’Or outside of the Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo duopoly.

This year’s celebration is slated for October 28 in France.