Lionel Messi, the world-famous Argentina captain, has said his team-mate Lautaro Martinez deserves this year’s Ballon d’Or more than any other player.
Martinez is among the 30 nominees for the prize alongside Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, Rodri and Dani Carvajal.
With the ceremony only 12 days away, Messi has shared his thoughts on who will replace him as the winner.
The Inter Miami superstar, who claimed a record-breaking eighth Ballon d’Or last year, won’t be defending his title this year.
Instead, Messi has backed Martinez, who finished 21st and 20th in the Ballon d’Or rankings in 2021 and 2023.
The 27-year-old scored 27 times and provided seven assists in 44 games across all competitions last season, which included 24 goals and six assists in the Serie A as Inter Milan won the Scudetto.
He also scored one and turned provider into another in Nerazzuri’s successful Supercoppa Italiana run.
“He had a spectacular year, he scored in the final, he was the top scorer in the Copa America.
“He deserves the Ballon d’Or more than anyone else,” Messi said via Goal.