Lionel Messi’s brutal message to Ronaldo after record-breaking Ballon d’Or win
Lionel Messi could extend his record for the most Ballon d'Or wins to eight this year and now move three clear of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Messi is the favourite to win the award after Argentina's World Cup triumph last year, while Ronaldo has not been nominated at all for the first time since 2004.
Messi won his seventh Ballon d'Or two years ago in 2021 and said after the ceremony he was confident that nobody would be able to surpass his record.
"I don't know if the record is beatable," he claimed. "I just have to accept it but I'm not sure if it can be beaten. Seven is really impressive."
Ronaldo has won the Ballon d'Or five times, with his last one coming in 2017, and has finished as runner-up on six occasions.
But, at the age of 38 and now plying his trade in the Saudi Pro Leagu...