Former Brazilian international Felipe Melo has endorsed Lionel Messi to win the Ballon d’Or, pointing to the Argentine forward’s stellar performances for both his national team and in Major League Soccer. Melo made the comments while evaluating candidates for global soccer’s top individual prize and weighing in on the enduring debate between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Felipe Melo Makes His Ballon d’Or Pick
Melo stated clearly that the award belongs to the Argentine captain. To support his stance, the former midfielder examined several other high-profile contenders.
“I could say Raphinha, who had a good season with Barcelona but didn’t make an impact with Brazil at the World Cup,” Melo argued. He also mentioned Kylian Mbappé, noting that the French forward scores heavily but “didn’t win anything with Real Madrid,” alongside Lamine Yamal from Spain, who “didn’t have a World Cup like Messi did.”
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Ultimately, Melo credited Messi’s dual success on the international stage and club level as the deciding factor. “For me, he was the best player in the World Cup and had a great season in the MLS. In my opinion, Messi has to win the Ballon d’Or,” he said.
The Greatest of All Time Debate
Beyond the annual award, Melo addressed the conversation surrounding the greatest players in soccer history. Despite acknowledging icons like Pelé, Zico, Ronaldo ‘O Fenômeno,’ Ronaldinho, Cristiano Ronaldo, Zidane, and Neymar, Melo put Messi at the very top.
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“Messi is the greatest of all time. I didn’t see Pelé play. There’s Zico, who’s one of my idols, but I didn’t see him play either,” Melo noted.
Contrasting Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
While backing Messi, Melo expressed deep admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo, whom he described as an incredible professional. “I’m a huge fan of Cristiano because he’s an incredible professional: he’s 41 years old and looks like he’s in better shape than an 18-year-old—he’s a beast,” Melo said.
However, the former player highlighted a structural difference in how the two legendary forwards operate on the pitch now. “When Cristiano was 25 or 30, he did everything on his own, but now he needs the team to create opportunities for him. Messi doesn’t. If the game is tough and tight, he drops back and sets up his teammates to score goals. That’s why he’s a complete player,” he explained.
The “Messianic Cycle” Phenomenon
Melo also coined the term “Messianic cycle” to capture the massive global reach of the Argentine captain. He observed that Messi’s influence routinely draws supporters from other nations to wear the Albiceleste jersey.
“Messi is the kind of player who draws a huge following wherever he goes, and there are people who support him and wear the Argentine jersey just because of him. That happened at one point with Brazil and Ronaldo, Neymar, Romario… Messi is something else,” Melo concluded.
Comparing the Contenders According to Melo
- Kylian Mbappé: High goalscoring output, but lacked team silverware with Real Madrid.
- Raphinha: Solid club campaign with Barcelona, but lacked impact for the Brazil national team at the World Cup.
- Lamine Yamal: Prominent emergence in Spain, but without a comparable World Cup resume to Messi.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Ballon d’Or Debate
Who did Felipe Melo choose for the Ballon d’Or?
Felipe Melo picked Lionel Messi for the Ballon d’Or, citing his World Cup performance and strong MLS season.
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