Mehdi Benatia Critiques Messi's Ballon d'Or Position
In a recent discussion, retired Moroccan football star Mehdi Benatia raised concerns regarding Lionel Messi's placement in the final ranking of the 2026 Ballon d'Or, where the Inter Miami captain found himself in fifth place. This ranking came after English striker Harry Kane, who secured the prestigious award for the first time in his career, followed closely by French sensation Kylian Mbappé of Real Madrid and Spanish players Lamine Yamal and Rodri, representing FC Barcelona and Manchester City respectively.
During his appearance on the French YouTube program "Les Affranchis," the 39-year-old Benatia expressed his belief that Messi's fifth-place finish, along with Rodri's fourth position, does not accurately reflect the performances of the two players throughout the season. He questioned whether European football fans had observed more of Messi’s contributions than those of Bayern Munich's Michael Olise, who placed ninth. Benatia remarked, "He spends the entire year in Miami and ends up fifth? Did European football fans watch him more than Olise?"
Benatia acknowledged Messi's exceptional performance during the World Cup, stating, "He was extraordinary in the World Cup, and the entire team plays for him. I respect him, as he is nearly our age, but how can you tell me Messi is fifth?" This indicates his belief that Messi's contributions should have warranted a higher ranking, given his impact on the tournament.
Moreover, Benatia did not hold back in his criticism of Rodri's placement in the rankings, questioning, "How can he be fourth when he only played for four months throughout the season?" This comment referred to Rodri's significant absence from Manchester City during the 2025-2026 season due to injuries.
Messi showcased his prowess during the 2026 World Cup, contributing to 12 goals, scoring eight and assisting four, leading Argentina to the finals before succumbing to Spain with a score of 1-0. His performance ignited speculation about a potential ninth Ballon d'Or victory, with many experts and followers supporting his candidacy; however, the voting ultimately favored Harry Kane.
On the other hand, Rodri celebrated success with the Spanish national team, winning the World Cup and earning the title of the tournament's best player, an honor achieved during the event co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
It is worth noting that Mehdi Benatia has played for several prominent clubs, including Olympique de Marseille, AS Roma, Bayern Munich, and Juventus, as well as having a stint in the Arab leagues with Al-Duhail in Qatar. Internationally, Benatia has represented Morocco in 66 matches, scoring two goals and providing one assist, as per data from Transfermarkt.
As reported by aljazeera.net.
