Lionel Messi won his seventh Ballon d'Or after a year in which he captained Argentina to victory at the Copa America and left Barcelona for PSG AFP / FRANCK FIFE
Lionel Messi, the Argentine superstar, holds an unprecedented record of winning eight Ballon d’Or trophies, solidifying his status as one of the greatest football players of all time.
However, several of these victories have been marred by controversies of different forms.
The latest issue that has come to light revolves around the alleged involvement of Paris Saint-Germain FC (PSG), the Ligue 1 side, in influencing the results of the 2021 edition of the prestigious award.
The Mechanics of Ballon d’Or Voting
Before diving into the controversies surrounding Messi’s wins, it is essential to understand the mechanics of Ballon d’Or voting.
France Football presents the award annually, typically around November.
National team captains, managers, and media members from around the world determine the winner through their votes.
For transparency, they reveal these votes later.
PSG’s Alleged Manipulation
Prior to diving into the Ballon d’Or scandal linked to Messi’s victory, it’s crucial to comprehend the voting process of the Ballon d’Or.
Publications such as Le Monde, Mediaport, and Diario AS made claims that PSG participated in “lobbying” for Messi’s victory in that year’s award.
The club allegedly strengthened ties with Pascal Ferre, the president of France Football at the time, to push for Messi’s coronation.
The accusations imply that the Qatari government, which owns PSG, allegedly offered Ferre PSG match tickets and a business class flight on Qatar Airways.
The intention behind these favors was supposedly to sway the award results in favor of Messi.
However, the way Ferre could manipulate the voting process is still unclear, given that votes originate from all over the world and are subsequently disclosed to the public.
PSG’s Link to the Controversy
To understand why the Ballon d’Or scandal is linked to PSG, we need to revisit the events leading up to Messi’s departure from FC Barcelona.
People widely expected Messi to sign a contract extension with Barcelona in the summer of 2021.
However, the club faced severe financial constraints that prevented them from offering Messi a new contract.
A debt exceeding 1 billion euros burdened FC Barcelona, and they violated La Liga’s Financial Fair Play regulations.
As a result, they had to reduce salaries across the organization and offload players to alleviate the financial strain.
Despite their efforts, they could not afford to extend Messi’s contract, even if he was willing to accept a pay cut.
This is when PSG seized the opportunity. Backed by Qatari wealth, the club had minimal financial constraints and could offer Messi an enticing deal.
PSG’s ambition to become one of Europe’s most influential clubs, coupled with their desire to win the UEFA Champions League, led them to pursue Messi’s signing.
Securing the Argentine superstar’s services would not only strengthen their squad but also elevate the club’s profile worldwide.
Messi’s Copa America Victory and Ballon d’Or Chances
It is important to note that Messi’s victory in the 2021 Ballon d’Or was not entirely unexpected.
That summer, he also led Argentina to victory in the Copa America, a significant achievement for both him and his national team.
People favored Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski to win the award in 2020, but the pandemic caused the cancellation of the ceremony.
In 2021, Messi emerged as the winner, denying Lewandowski another opportunity to claim the prestigious award.
The Outcome of the Investigation
At present, it remains uncertain whether any concrete evidence will emerge from the investigation into PSG’s alleged manipulation.
Pascal Ferre, the former president of France Football, has denied the accusations.
Ultimately, people have questioned the credibility of the Ballon d’Or award multiple times over the years.
However, given the global nature of the voting process and the transparency in revealing the votes, it is challenging to manipulate the results significantly.
While controversies may surround Messi’s Ballon d’Or wins, his undeniable talent and numerous achievements on the field have solidified his place in football history.
As fans eagerly await the next edition of the award, the focus remains on celebrating the exceptional skills and performances of football’s brightest stars.
Conclusion
Controversies have shadowed Lionel Messi’s eight Ballon d’Or wins, a record-breaking feat.
The alleged involvement of PSG in the 2021 edition, part of the Ballon d’Or scandal, has certainly raised eyebrows.
However, it is important to remember that Messi’s achievements on the field, including his triumph in the Copa America, have undoubtedly contributed to his Ballon d’Or victories.
As the investigation continues, football fans worldwide eagerly anticipate the next chapter in the exciting journey of this extraordinary player.
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