“We could have given Messi a consolation prize” – Sepp Blatter names player who should have won 2021 Ballon d’Or ahead of PSG superstar 

PSG superstar Lionel Messi was announced as the winner of the 2021 Ballon d’Or award on November 29 last year. Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has claimed Real Madrid attacker Karim Benzema would’ve been a more deserving winner of the accolade.

Under Blatter’s reign, FIFA reached an agreement with the organizers of the Ballon d’Or, France Football, to merge the accolade with their annual Player of the Year award. The two accolades followed that path between 2010 and 2015 when the agreement was terminated.

Amid recent criticism over the process of awarding the honor, Sepp Blatter reiterates the Ballon d’Or isn’t the same as it used to be when it was partly controlled by FIFA. The Swiss believes the association gave up on the accolade too easily. He further revealed that incumbent president Gianni Infantino’s preference to award the Ballon d’Or in London led to the breakdown in agreement.

“The Ballon d’Or of France Football is no longer the Ballon d’Or of FIFA. FIFA gave up the Ballon d’Or too easily.”

“We had made a contract for the Ballon d’Or to be presented to Zurich, to FIFA, as long as we want.”

“They saw that it had another international resonance together. But Infantino, when he arrived, wanted to do it in London. So, it was screwed up right away… The Ballon d’Or is gone.”

Lionel Messi’s seven Ballon d’Or wins by numbers.

Just things.

Lionel Messi’s seven Ballon d’Or wins by numbers.Just ???? things. https://t.co/ww8CiJsJAP

Speaking about the most recent edition, which was won by Messi, Sepp Blatter suggested the accolade should’ve been a different winner.

According to him, Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema should’ve been crowned the best player in the world while Messi should’ve bagged a consolation prize.

“We could have given Messi a consolation prize . Benzema would have deserved the Ballon d’Or.”

Who else could’ve beaten Lionel Messi to the Ballon d’Or apart from Karim Benzema?

Apart from Karim Benzema, Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski could’ve won the accolade in 2021. The Polish forward finished second in the rankings after bagging 48 goals and nine assists for the Bavarians last term but many believed he deserved to finish first.

Also ReadArticle Continues below

Chelsea midfielder Jorginho also had a successful outing, winning the Champions League, Euros and UEFA Super Cup during the year. The Italian, alongside players like Ngolo Kante, Kevin de Bruyne and Mohamed Salah, were all tipped to win the Ballon d’Or.