You must have read this headline many times last season coz Messi has broken many records this year, and another milestone award is waiting for him, i.e., FIFA Ballon d’Or, which is going to be announced here in Zurich on Tuesday. Besides Messi, other two contenders for the title are his own teammate Andres Iniesta, and his arch rival Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo. While, the chances of Ronaldo are much dimmed considering his recent shadow performances and his contract dispute with his club. Andres Iniesta has significant chances to win the title, especially after Messi said himself that he wanted him to win the title. But, Messi is still the most favorite among all three to take home the title for fourth consecutive year in a row, perhaps if he does so, he would become the first soccer player to have such a prestigious award for so many times. Other players who have won Ballon d’Or for three times are Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo of Brazil in recent years while Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten have won the three titles in early years of its inauguration. Notably, initially, it was popularly known as European award which later adopted by FIFA as Ballon d’Or back in 1991.
The final taker of this award is to be decided by coaches and captains of world soccer teams along with reputed journalists of sport fraternity. Moreover, the voting has already been conducted back in November, before Messi broke the great Mueller’s maximum number of goals in one calendar year’s record. Messi also has his well-wishers around the world who are praying for him to take the award. Barca’s coach Tito Vilanova has recently said about Messi’s chances as, “Leo’s great quality is that he plays as if he still a child. He was always good as a youngster and you didn’t need to be a coach to say that. It was a joy to see him play as a 15-year-old and that continues now.”
While Messi’s co-nominee Ronaldo also said that it would not be the end of life if he does not win the title; hence, there is a space of doubt in Ronaldo’s mind and his chance of winning the glorious trophy. So, keep your fingers crossed and be a jubilant fan of the most successful soccer talent of our times.