French Legend Defends Decision to Award Lionel Messi Eighth Ballon d’Or Award After World Cup Win

• Lionel Messi won a record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or award ahead of Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe
• Messi's Ballon d'Or win was criticised by many who felt that the Argentinian star did nothing to deserve it
• Messi's current and former teammates defended him, while Cristiano Ronaldo liked a post mocking him

Lionel Messi’s eighth Ballon d’Or win has been the subject of much discussion.

The Argentinian attacker won a record-extending eighth award earlier this year, but not everyone felt he deserved it.

While there has been some criticism about the decision to name Messi the winner, French legend Youri Djorkaeff disagrees.

Djorkaeff, who played over 80 games for the French national side, believes that the Argentinian deserved the award after his heroics at the FIFA World Cup.

Messi led his side to the World Cup title beating France in the final.

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Djorkaeff, who, like Messi, played for Paris Saint-Germain, made the comments on Téléfoot, a French football television programme.

Di Maria fires back at critics

Since winning the award for a record-extending time, Messi has faced a lot of backlash. He has received a lot of support, especially from fellow Argentinian teammates.

As noted by The Mirror, Angel Di Maria fired back at Lothar Matthaus after the German legend claimed that Messi didn’t deserve to win.

Cristiano Ronaldo likes post about Messi

Al-Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who has the most number of Ballon d’Or awards behind Messi, recently made headlines when he reacted to a post about Messi’s success.

The Portuguese star liked and commented on a post that mocked the Inter Miami star, Sports Brief previously reported.

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Why Messi did not deserve Ballon d'Or

This year, Messi won the coveted award for an unprecedented eighth time at the gala on October 30.

However, it is worth noting there are dissenting voices who contend the Argentinian did not merit this.

Sports Brief has looked at 4 reasons why some argue Messi did not deserve the Ballon d'Or this year.