The Barcelona icon is 34 but he shows no signs of ageing. When the 2020 season began, a lot of pundits said that Messi was over. But as we enter July 2021, we can’t even imagine saying that. He has put forward a string of absolutely fantastic performances for both club and country.
Messi is currently Copa America’s leading goalscorer (4) and assists provider (4). He has been directly involved in 8 of 10 goals scored by Argentina in their campaign. Isn’t that what GOATs do?
Lionel Messi is currently the best player to win the Ballon d’Or only if he manages to take Argentina all the way to its first international glory in 28 years.
International glory awaiting?
Messi’s current form shows his prowess over the game and how he could single-handedly run the show. With 2 of the hardest opponents awaiting Argentina in the Semis and Finals, one can bet on Messi to continue his streak of stunning performances. Messi has had a blistering 2021 with a string of goals for his club, winning him a record number of Pichichis as well. He helped the Catalans to almost win the unlikeliest of La Liga titles in a decade with his performances.
This might be a chance at another Ballon d’Or glory for the Argentinian forward. If someone would have suggested Messi’s name will be up there as a favourite for Ballon d’Or at the end of 2020, one would have laughed. But as we enter July, he has turned around the season to be one of his best performances. Again!
Messi is a favourite for Ballon d’Or 2021
Well, that’s certainly the case as far as UK bookmakers are concerned with Messi now listed as the favourite across all major British companies running the special, according to oddschecker.com. It’s an unexpected change of events when you consider that Kylian Mbappe was a strong favourite for the prize when we last inspected the Ballon d’Or odds as recently as May.
Ballon d’Or odds from Paddy Power
Looking at the present form of players, here are the latest 2021 Ballon d’Or odds from Paddy Power:
- Serge Gnabry – 40/1
- Mason Mount – 40/1
- Erling Braut Haaland – 33/1
- Phil Foden – 33/1
- Ciro Immobile – 25/1
- Romelu Lukaku – 14/1
- Kevin De Bruyne – 12/1
- Raheem Sterling – 10/1
- Neymar – 9/1
- Cristiano Ronaldo – 6/1
- Kylian Mbappe – 6/1
- Robert Lewandowski – 6/1
- N’Golo Kante – 6/1
- Harry Kane – 4/1
- Lionel Messi – 9/4
Look’s like international glory might be the difference between Messi and his 7th Ballon d’Or. It has been no secret that Ballon d’Or favours players who win the year’s most significant titles, along with stunning individual displays. Messi faces key rivals including Kante, Lewandowski, Mbappe, De Bruyne and Ronaldo who have all exited Euro 2020 before the quarter-final stage. If Messi wins this one, he might as well create a record number of seven Ballon d’Or trophies that might never be topped.
