By Sogeyinbo Abdulrahmon Olabanji (SIWES student Gateway ICT Polytechnic)
Lionel Messi is strongly favored to secure his eighth Ballon d’Or in Paris on Monday, showcasing his unparalleled dominance. Simultaneously, Aitana Bonmati, a Spanish World Cup champion, is poised to clinch the women’s award.
Indeed, Messi and Ronaldo’s prolonged excellence over 15 years is remarkable. While they’ve been the most dominant figures, it’s intriguing to see players like Modric and Benzema break through and claim the Ballon d’Or.
Are there other contenders emerging who could challenge for the award in the future?
The new approach to awarding the Ballon d’Or, emphasizing a player’s season, will certainly impact the competition.
It may make the award more competitive as it no longer relies solely on a player’s year-long performance.
Messi’s stellar performance in the last season, leading Argentina to World Cup glory, solidifies his position among the top nominees.
However, notable competition arises from Manchester City players like Erling Haaland, who won the UEFA Player of the Year award.
Guardiola even humorously suggested dividing the award into two: one for Messi and the other for everyone else.
Erling Haaland’s exceptional season with numerous goals and a treble win certainly puts him in contention. However, Messi’s worst season remains a standout performance for others.
