Lionel Messi has thrown his full support behind Lautaro Martinez for the 2024 Ballon d’Or, declaring that his Argentine teammate deserves the prestigious award “more than anyone else.” Messi’s endorsement comes ahead of the announcement of the nominees on October 28 in Paris.
A Year to Remember
Lautaro Martinez had a phenomenal 2023-24 season, leading Inter Milan to their 20th Serie A title while also finishing as the league’s top scorer. His contributions were pivotal during Argentina’s Copa America campaign, where he scored the winning goal in the final and clinched the tournament’s top scorer title.
Messi’s Praise
After Argentina’s impressive 6-0 victory over Bolivia, Messi highlighted Martinez’s achievements:
“Lautaro had a spectacular year. He scored in the [Copa America] Final and was the best scorer. He deserves the Ballon d’Or more than anyone else.”
The Competition
Martinez faces stiff competition for the award from Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior and Manchester City’s Rodri. Should he win, it would keep the Ballon d’Or within Argentina after Messi’s victory last year, further solidifying the nation’s status in international football. With such a strong year behind him, many fans and analysts will be closely watching the upcoming awards ceremony to see if Lautaro can secure the honor.