Ballon d’ Or: Messi’s candid message to Cristiano Ronaldo after winning 7th award

Paris Saint-Germain star, Lionel Messi has doubted Manchester United forward, Cristiano Ronaldo’s credentials to equal his tally of seven Ballon d’Or wins.

On Monday night, Messi won the 2021 Ballon d’ Or for a record-extending seventh time, beating Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski and Chelsea’s Jorginho to the prize.

Messi’s eternal rival, Ronaldo, who has won the Ballon d’ Or five times, finished sixth this year.

The Argentine captain, who has rivalled Ronaldo throughout his career, has now expressed confidence that no player will equal his extraordinary seven Ballon d’ Or awards.

“I don’t know if the record [seven Ballon d’ Or awards] is beatable,” Messi said during a post-ceremony press conference.

“I just have to accept it, but I am not sure if it can be beaten. Seven is really impressive.”

Meanwhile, Spanish football expert, Guillem Balague, agreed with Messi by insisting that no footballer can catch the former Barcelona captain in the number of Ballon d’Or awards won.

When asked whether Ronaldo could catch Messi now, Balague told Mirror Football: “I don’t think so. Nobody can catch Messi now.”