Amazing, mesmerising Messi
Barcelona's Lionel Messi won the Ballon d'Or for the sixth time, with Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk second and Juventus Cristiano Ronaldo ending in third place, but the jury is out on whether the Argentinian deserved this year's accolade.
Namibians have mixed feelings about Barcelona star Lionel Messi winning his sixth Ballon d'Or on Monday.
It was Messi's first Ballon d'Or since 2015 and his sixth overall, as he moved one ahead of old rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 32-year-old had previously won the coveted award in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2015.
In the year under review, the Argentine contributed 63 goals for club and country, including 46 strikes and 17 assists to help the Camp Nou giants retain their Spanish top-flight diadem.
On Facebook, Namibian supporters were divided on whether Messi or Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk should have carried the award home, given that the English club, thanks largely to Van Dijk's defensive efforts, are the reigning Champions League champs.
NamAsser Tutaleni said Messi deserved the win, while Dimbulukweni Amon said he didn't.
“At least now we know that the Ballon d'Or is only for La Liga players,” Amon wrote on Facebook in response to a Namibian Sun call for comments.
Tonateni Thee Writta said Van Dijk deserved to win the coveted award this year.
Frans Amutenya also stood with Van Dijk.
Chilizo Tjonga argued that Messi is the only player to score 30 and more goals in 10 consecutive seasons at the highest level and thus deserves the Ballon d'Or.
Messi's win means the award has been won by a player from Spain's La Liga in each of the last 11 years, including last year's winner Luka Modric, who broke the 10-year Messi/Ronaldo monopoly on the prize.
“It is 10 years since I won my first Ballon d'Or here in Paris and I remember coming here with my three brothers; I was 22 and it was all unthinkable for me what I was going through,” Messi said on stage after receiving the award from last year's winner Modric.
“I hope I have several years left to keep enjoying my football. I'm aware of the age I have and these moments are all the more enjoyable because the moment when I have to retire is getting closer and that is difficult.
“All going well; I'll have several years left, but at the moment time seems to be flying and everything is happening very quickly.
“I hope to keep enjoying my football, my family, facing my rivals and all of this life that I have,” Messi added. Having starred in the Liverpool team that won the Champions League, Van Dijk finished second to Messi, thus making this the first time since 2010 that Ronaldo has failed to rank in the top two.
“Unfortunately there are a couple of players like him who are a bit unnatural. Six times Ballon d'Or - you need to respect greatness as well,” said Van Dijk.
As if any reminder of Messi's brilliance was required, on Sunday he scored a wonderful late winner for Barcelona against Atletico Madrid.
-Additional info by NAMPA/AFP
LIMBA MUPETAMI
It was Messi's first Ballon d'Or since 2015 and his sixth overall, as he moved one ahead of old rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 32-year-old had previously won the coveted award in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2015.
In the year under review, the Argentine contributed 63 goals for club and country, including 46 strikes and 17 assists to help the Camp Nou giants retain their Spanish top-flight diadem.
On Facebook, Namibian supporters were divided on whether Messi or Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk should have carried the award home, given that the English club, thanks largely to Van Dijk's defensive efforts, are the reigning Champions League champs.
NamAsser Tutaleni said Messi deserved the win, while Dimbulukweni Amon said he didn't.
“At least now we know that the Ballon d'Or is only for La Liga players,” Amon wrote on Facebook in response to a Namibian Sun call for comments.
Tonateni Thee Writta said Van Dijk deserved to win the coveted award this year.
Frans Amutenya also stood with Van Dijk.
Chilizo Tjonga argued that Messi is the only player to score 30 and more goals in 10 consecutive seasons at the highest level and thus deserves the Ballon d'Or.
Messi's win means the award has been won by a player from Spain's La Liga in each of the last 11 years, including last year's winner Luka Modric, who broke the 10-year Messi/Ronaldo monopoly on the prize.
“It is 10 years since I won my first Ballon d'Or here in Paris and I remember coming here with my three brothers; I was 22 and it was all unthinkable for me what I was going through,” Messi said on stage after receiving the award from last year's winner Modric.
“I hope I have several years left to keep enjoying my football. I'm aware of the age I have and these moments are all the more enjoyable because the moment when I have to retire is getting closer and that is difficult.
“All going well; I'll have several years left, but at the moment time seems to be flying and everything is happening very quickly.
“I hope to keep enjoying my football, my family, facing my rivals and all of this life that I have,” Messi added. Having starred in the Liverpool team that won the Champions League, Van Dijk finished second to Messi, thus making this the first time since 2010 that Ronaldo has failed to rank in the top two.
“Unfortunately there are a couple of players like him who are a bit unnatural. Six times Ballon d'Or - you need to respect greatness as well,” said Van Dijk.
As if any reminder of Messi's brilliance was required, on Sunday he scored a wonderful late winner for Barcelona against Atletico Madrid.
-Additional info by NAMPA/AFP
LIMBA MUPETAMI
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