Ernesto Valverde: Messi

By Nigel Phillips  

Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde has described as ‘absurd’ Lionel Messi’s fifth finish in this year’s Ballon d'Or votes count.

Real Madrid and Croatia national team midfielder Luka Modric won the ultimate prize, awarded by French Football Magazine, after votes from some selected journalists across the world with 753 votes.

Five-time Ballon d’Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo, of Juventus and Portugal fame came second with  476 votes as France and Atletico Madrid striker, Antoinne Griezmann, followed in third place with 414 votes.

France and Paris Saint-Germain wing-forward Kylian Mbappe came fourth with 347 votes with five-time Ballon d’Or winner and Argentina kingpin, Lionel Messi, finishing fifth with 280 votes.

Valverde, who, prior to the event, tipped Messi to win the award following the player’s impressive current form, has congratulated Modric but feels his product finished too far off the ranking.

“We congratulate Modric for winning the Ballon d'Or but Messi being in fifth place is absurd," said Valverde.