Koeman backing Messi to win Ballon d’Or 2021

Ronald Koeman thinks Lionel Messi is the main candidate to win the Ballon d’Or and thinks the Argentine will collect a record seventh Golden Ball.

Messi has emerged as the favorite to be named the best player in the world yet again after helping Argentina win the Copa America in Brazil.

Koeman is in no doubt that the prestigious trophy should be handed over to the 34-year-old.

“He is vitally important. For what he brings to the team, he’s the captain and an example. His goalscoring has been brilliant despite a difficult start,” he said.

“He has shown time and again he is the best in the world. I know how much he wanted to win the Copa América and he has done it at last. Messi is the prime candidate for the Ballon d’Or after a great season and for me he is the favourite.”

Source | FC Barcelona

Messi’s main rivals for the prize seem to be Chelsea duo Jorginho and N’Golo Kante, Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski, and PSG’s Kylian Mbappe.