Rivaldo Backs Messi To Win Ballon d

By Joshua Walters

Former Barcelona and Brazil forward Rivaldo has rallied support behind Lionel Messi to win the Ballon d’Or award.

Messi had a successful season with Barcelona last term having scored 51 goals in all competitions for the Catalan club.

His pivotal role for the side saw Barcelona clinch the Spanish LaLiga tile, but their journey in Europe ended in disappointment as they were eliminated from the Champions League by Liverpool in the semi-finals.

Despite the Argentina playmaker’s failure to win the Champions League with Barcelona, Rivaldo believes he is the only player who deserves the accolade.

"In my opinion, the Ballon d'Or of this season is Messi for what he has done," the 1999 winner said, courtesy of Betfair.

"He didn't win the Champions League, but because it is an individual prize he scored a lot of goals, important goals". 

Over the past decade, the award has been won between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo with five each before Luka Modric won it in 2018, but Rivaldo thinks both players make football enjoyable, describing them as great players.

"They are such great players. I like them both.

"Messi always makes the difference at Barcelona and Ronaldo at every club and the national team – Juventus and Portugal.

"It's going to be thrilling again. When you talk about them it's for something good, they both score so many goals."

Rivaldo during his football career played for Barcelona between 1997 and 2002 before his fallout with Louis Van Gaal saw his exit from the side.