Messi ignites the battle, this is his final candidate for the Ballon d'Or

Lionel Messi, the footballing maestro, has once again made headlines, this time not for his dazzling on-field performance but for his off-field endorsement. The Argentine legend has thrown his weight behind Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez as his top pick for the prestigious Ballon d'Or award.

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In a post-match interview following Argentina's resounding 6-0 victory over Bolivia, Messi expressed his unwavering support for his international teammate. "He's had an incredible year, he scored the winning goal in the final, and he was the top scorer of the Copa America; he deserves the Ballon d'Or more than anyone," the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner declared.

Messi's backing of Lautaro comes as a surprise to many, as players like Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior and Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham were widely considered the frontrunners. However, the Argentine captain's rationale is clear: Lautaro's pivotal role in Argentina's Copa America triumph and his consistent goal-scoring form for Inter Milan make him a compelling candidate.

Lautaro's impressive goal-scoring record in both the Serie A and the Copa America, coupled with Argentina's continental success, has solidified his position as one of the world's elite strikers. Messi's endorsement adds significant weight to Lautaro's candidacy and could sway the opinions of voters.

Why Lautaro Martinez?

• Copa America hero: Lautaro was instrumental in Argentina's Copa America triumph, finishing as the tournament's top scorer and scoring the winning goal in the final.
• Serie A dominance: He has consistently delivered for Inter Milan, finishing as the Serie A's top scorer in the recent season.
• Perfect partnership with Messi: Lautaro's understanding with Messi on the international stage has been a key factor in Argentina's success.

A contentious debate

Messi's endorsement is sure to spark a heated debate among football fans and pundits. While Lautaro's achievements are undeniable, the likes of Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham have also put forward strong cases for the award. Vinicius has been instrumental in Real Madrid's success, while Bellingham has impressed with his maturity and performances for Borussia Dortmund.

Ultimately, the decision of who will win the Ballon d'Or will come down to the voting academy. However, Messi's endorsement of Lautaro Martinez is a significant boost to the Argentine striker's chances. With the award ceremony set to take place on October 28th in Paris, the football world will be eagerly awaiting the announcement.