'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQf/2gAIAQEAAAAAmSX/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAB/9oACAECEAAAAD//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAEDEAAAAG//xAAdEAACAQUBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAACAwEABAUSIRFB/9oACAEBAAE/AEYC2fOONC4EhFS/GzvB7M5M8rGWabjG2jrlhy9iQNkiHNpjv2v/xAAZEQEAAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAAMRYcH/2gAIAQIBAT8Arc0jt5P/xAAZEQACAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgAEIbH/2gAIAQMBAT8AuKFsuqjM5P/Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Lionel Messi has been regarded as the front-runner for the Ballon d'Or in 2021. The 34-year-old, who completed a free transfer to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) this summer, lifted the Copa America with Argentina back in July.
As such, many people believe that Lionel Messi is poised to win his record-extending seventh Ballon d'Or award in 2021. Bayern Munich talisman Robert Lewandowski is believed to be Lionel Messi's closest competitor, with the striker in impeccable form over the last couple of seasons.
Lionel Messi is not the only contender for 2021 Ballon d'Or
Chelsea and Italy midfielder Jorginho has also emerged as a dark horse for the prestigious award after enjoying a remarkable summer with Chelsea and Italy. Notably, he won both the Champions League, Euro 2020 and the UEFA Super Cup.
Additionally, the likes of Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante and Mohamed Salah are also prominent names on the 30-man Ballon d'Or shortlist. But the general consensus is quite clear: Lionel Messi will inevitably get his hands on the Ballon d'Or award.
Irrespective of the hype and backing Messi has received in the race for the honor, there are several footballers who feel the PSG star should not win the award.
Without further delay, let's take a closer look at the 10 famous footballers, including retired ones, who opted against backing Lionel Messi for the Ballon d'Or award in 2021:
#10 Paul Pogba
Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba kicks-off our list by backing N'Golo Kante ahead of Lionel Messi for the Ballon d'Or in 2021. The Frenchman revealed he always wanted Chelsea to win the Champions League so Kante could get the attention.
Pogba, who lifted the World Cup alongside Kante in 2018, was speaking to Eurosport ahead of the Champions League final in May:
“We talk a lot about his performances but he has always been as good as ever. I said a long time ago that it would be appropriate, if Chelsea won, for him to win the Ballon d’Or. It would be deserved too.”
Although Pogba witnessed his desire for Kante to lift the Champions League manifest into reality in May, the duo endured a forgetful Euro 2020 with France. Les Bleus were knocked out of the round of 16 by Switzerland. As such, Kante's chances of winning the Ballon d'Or ahead of Lionel Messi have taken a severe hit.
#9 Ivan Rakitic
Sevilla midfielder Ivan Rakitic has surprisingly opted against backing former Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi for the 2021 Ballon d'Or. The Croatian, who spent six memorable years at Camp Nou, believes Real Madrid star Karim Benzema deserves the accolade.
Rakitic pointed out how effortlessly Benzema has shouldered the responsibility at the Santiago Bernabeu since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo. Due to his ability to score crucial goals and turn up for the big occasions, Rakitic feels Benzema is "unique" and definitely a candidate for the award:
"since Cristiano's departure he has clearly become the leader. He is simply unique and I would like to congratulate him on that. I wish him to continue like this except against us!"
"He could perfectly well be a Ballon d'Or… At Réal, there is him and the others. His current state of form keeps Madrid racing in all competitions. He scores in big games. He is always present at major events."
Not sure what Lionel Messi thinks about it.
#8 Patrice Evra
Former Manchester United captain Patrice Evra has also been vocal about not wanting Lionel Messi to win the Ballon d'Or in 2021. The Frenchman opined that it wouldn't be unfair to hand the award to N'Golo Kante or Jorginho, especially with the latter winning three trophies in a few months' time.
Evra even went on to claim that he is "sick" of giving Lionel Messi the Ballon d'Or again, signaling the need to appreciate midfielders more. During an interaction, he stated:
"I totally disagree. Because, in my opinion, this Ballon d'Or is for [N'Golo] Kante or Jorginho, he deserves it! I do not understand why people say 'He's just a midfielder', he won everything! Participating a lot in these triumphs."
"In my opinion, it's an injustice [if Jorginho does not win it]. I'm sick of giving it to [Lionel] Messi. What did he win last year? Ok, the Copa America, but with Barcelona, what did he do? "
"Last year, Jorginho also won trophies that didn't exist, so for me it's an absolute injustice [if he does not win it]."
Will Evra get his justice? We'll know on November 29 as Lionel Messi and the others take center stage at the Ballon d'Or ceremony.
#7 John Terry
Chelsea legend John Terry has locked horns with six-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi many times during his playing career. Being a proper Chelsea man through and through, it isn't a surprise to see him opt against choosing Lionel Messi for the 2021 Ballon d'Or.
Terry has backed former Chelsea team-mate N'Golo Kante for the highly-coveted award, stating the Frenchman is so underrated and humble. Speaking to Stadium Astro, Terry stated:
“Kante’s like 11 players on his own. What he does, he goes so under the radar. He is such a top-class player."
"I’d love to go see him win the Ballon d’Or or get the appreciation that I feel he deserves. He’s such a humble guy. He just goes about his business and keeps out of any trouble.”
Truth be told, despite the backing of his former captain, Kante does not stand a realistic chance of winning the Ballon d'Or this year.
#6 Jamie Carragher
Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher has also refused to pick Lionel Messi as his preferred 2021 Ballon d'Or winner. The footballer-turned-pundit has extended his support to Robert Lewandowski in the race for the award.
Carragher highlighted the fact that Lewandowski was unlucky not to win the award in 2020 after it was canceled due to the pandemic. As such, the Englishman feels the Poland captain is a more deserving winner of the Ballon d'Or in 2021 compared to Lionel Messi.
Speaking to CBS Sport, he stated:
"I think Lewandowski will win it. I think he deserves to win it. He missed out on it last year."
"I think Messi winning it for Argentina means.... I would pick Lewandowski, but I think Messi may just do it because people would feel he has finally done something for Argentina."
Deep down inside, though, it seems like Carragher is resigned to Lionel Messi winning the Ballon d'Or again.
#5 Paolo Maldini
The legendary Italian defender is also of the opinion that Lionel Messi should not win the 2021 Ballon d'Or award. Paolo Maldini finished in the top-three for the prestigious award in his playing career back in 2003.
Despite not winning the Ballon d'Or, the former AC Milan stalwart is still regarded as one of the greatest ever players. Although he admitted wanting Robert Lewandowski to win the 2021 Ballon d'Or, Maldini conceded that Lionel Messi still has the best chance. Speaking on Radio Marca, he commented:
"I think that this year Robert Lewandowski deserves the Ballon d'Or. Karim Benzema could also win, but Lewandowski kept the incredible 'hunger' for scoring goals. He broke many records with his efficiency."
"Lewandowski, Benzema, and Messi will surely be the top three. I think Messi has the best chance, I personally would like Lewandowski to win."
Lionel Messi will be hoping Maldini's hunch becomes true in a couple of days.
#4 Oliver Kahn
During his playing career, Oliver Kahn came close to winning the Ballon d'Or not once but twice. The German shot-stopper finished on the podium for consecutive years back in 2002 and 2003 as Michael Owen and Ronaldo Nazario lifted the awards respectively.
Understandably, Kahn has backed Robert Lewandowski for the 2021 Ballon d'Or ahead of Lionel Messi. Both of them share the common link of having established themselves as heroes at Bayern Munich and Kahn admits he will be disappointed if Lewandowski fails to win:
"I would be deeply disappointed if Robert didn't win the Ballon d'Or. Nobody deserves it more than he does."
What we would've given to watch Lionel Messi vs Oliver Kahn in their prime!
#3 Michael Owen
Former Ballon d'Or winner Michael Owen has also backed Robert Lewandowski ahead of Lionel Messi for the award in 2021. Surprisingly, he did not even mention Lionel Messi in the conversation for the honor. Owen pointed to Jorginho and Mohamed Salah as the other two prime contenders, according to him.
Owen, who represented the likes of Liverpool, Real Madrid and Manchester United during his playing career, claimed none of the candidates could potentially beat Lewandowski in the race. He was quoted as saying by Daily Post:
"I thought Lewandowski was so unfortunate not to win it in the COVID year when it was, it was obviously suspended or cancelled that year, and I would probably go with him."
"There are other candidates, don’t get me wrong, Mo Salah’s had a great season, although he’s not won anything. Jorginho, on the other hand, for Chelsea, [has] won everything."
"But I am not sure he’s potentially good enough to win it ahead of players like Lewandowski, and so I would probably go with him. He has won the Bundesliga again."
Bold claim from Owen there, especially not mentioning Lionel Messi in the conversation for the Ballon d'Or.
#2 Lothar Matthaus
1990 Ballon d'Or winner Lothar Matthaus has backed Robert Lewandowski for the award in 2021. The former Germany international feels the competition for the Ballon d'Or is close this year, but has no doubts over who "deserves" it more.
Matthaus mentioned Karim Benzema as a close contender for the award, but did not mention Lionel Messi while naming the favorites. The former World Cup winner believes Lewandowski will be the rightful winner after he was unlucky to miss out last year. Matthaus was quoted as saying:
"I want [Lewandowski] to win the Ballon d'Or because he already deserved it last year. This year is closer, but he is my favorite."
“Benzema has had a great season, but he has not won any title. He was knocked out of the Euros with France and he hasn’t been champion with [Real] Madrid in Spain.”
If Lionel Messi ever listened to this, he would cherish that record-extending seventh Ballon d'Or win even more if he wins it.
#1 Ronaldo
Two-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo has surprisingly backed Karim Benzema for the prestigious award in 2021. The Brazilian feels Benzema has maintained a brutal level of consistency in the last decade. As such, Ronaldo feels there is no one better, not even Lionel Messi, in the race for the 2021 Ballon d'Or.
He decided to back Benzema publicly via Instagram and wrote:
"Without a doubt, my candidate for the Ballon d'Or is Benzema. The best striker, brutal level for 10 years and champion above all. Don't you think?"
Lionel Messi or Benzema for the Ballon d'Or in 2021? Over to you now, France Football!
