Barcelona Coach, Ronald Koeman has tipped Lionel Messi to win the 2021 Ballon d’Or. Messi is currently a free agent, having seen his last contract at Camp Nou reach its expiry date on June 30, but Barca are on the verge of tying the 34-year-old down to a new long-term deal, and Koeman is counting on him to be a talismanic figure in his squad once again in 2021-22.
“He is vitally important. For what he brings to the team, he’s the captain and an example," the Barca boss told the club's official website. "His goal scoring has been brilliant despite a difficult start.
"He has shown time and again he is the best in the world. I know how much he wanted to win Copa America and he has done it at last.
"Messi is the prime candidate for the Ballon d’Or after a great season and, for me, he is the favorite.”
Lionel Messi Is who has already won the coveted prize on six occasions is being tipped to get the nod again after following up another impressive campaign at Barca by leading Argentina to glory at the Copa America.
International silverware was the only thing missing from Messi's illustrious CV, and Koeman believes he deserves recognition for setting the standard in terms of individual brilliance for both club and country over the past 12 months
