Messi insists Lautaro Martinez deserves Ballon d’Or ‘more than anyone else’ | OneFootball

Leo Messi insists his compatriot Lautaro Martinez deserves the Ballon d’Or ‘more than anyone else’ as the Inter captain has had a ‘spectacular year.’

Lautaro is among the 30 candidates for the 2024 Ballon d’Or, and the winner will be announced in Paris on October 28.

Lautaro matched team success and personal glory in the 2023-24 campaign, winning titles with Inter and Argentina.

The Nerazzurri won the 20th Serie A title in their history last term seeing El Toro become the league’s leading scorer for the first time in his career.

A few weeks later, Lautaro inspired Argentina’s Copa America victory, scoring the winner in the final and becoming the tournament’s top scorer.

Lautaro Martinez and Davide Frattesi for Inter EPA-EFE/Gabriele Menis

“He’s had a spectacular year. He scored in the [Copa America] Final and was the best scorer. He deserves the Ballon d’Or more than anyone else,” his Argentina teammate Leo Messi told reporters last night after a 6-0 win over Bolivia, as quoted by Gazzetta.

Lautaro is the leading Ballon d’Or candidate for Argentina and Serie A, and the Seleccion coach Lionel Scaloni also pushed El Toro to win the award earlier this week.

“I hope Lautaro wins the Ballon d’Or,” said the Argentina coach.

“If he doesn’t get this satisfaction now, I am sure he’ll accomplish it in the future.”