Argentina’s captain, Lionel Messi, has openly backed his national teammate, Lautaro Martinez, as the most deserving candidate for the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
Lautaro Martinez is among the 30 footballers nominated for the prestigious award, competing against stars like Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, Rodri, and Dani Carvajal.
With the ceremony just days away, Messi has shared his thoughts on who should take home the coveted trophy. Messi, who won a record eighth Ballon d’Or last year, is not in the running this time but has expressed strong support for Martinez.
Martinez, a forward for Inter Milan, had an outstanding season, scoring 27 goals and providing seven assists in 44 matches across all competitions. In Serie A alone, he netted 24 goals and assisted six times, playing a key role in Inter’s Scudetto win. Additionally, his contributions in the Supercoppa Italiana, where he scored and assisted in the final, were crucial to the team’s success.
Praising his teammate, Messi said, “He had an incredible season. He scored in the final and was the top scorer in Copa America. Lautaro deserves the Ballon d’Or more than anyone else.”
