 |
| Photo Credit — Cuti Romero |
Atlético Madrid and Argentina defender Cristian “Cuti” Romero has made his position on the 2026 Ballon d’Or crystal clear: the award belongs to Lionel Messi for as long as the Argentine captain continues playing.
Speaking after Atlético’s 2-1 La Liga victory over Real Madrid, Romero told media (including comments reported via ESPN and other outlets) that there should be no debate while Messi remains active.
“The Ballon d’Or should be given to Leo Messi. Until he retires, that’s clear,” Romero said. “There is no one like him. Surely when he decides not to play anymore, then we will have to see who to give it to!”
In fuller remarks reported across multiple sources, Romero went further, suggesting that once Messi steps away, marketing power could play a bigger role in deciding future winners: the prize might go “to the player who has the greatest capacity for marketing, because the thing has a bit to do with that.”
RELATED ➣ 2026 Ballon d’Or: Karim Adeyemi Names Lamine Yamal as Clear Favorite
Why Romero’s comments carry weight
Romero is no ordinary teammate. He has shared the Argentina dressing room with Messi through major tournaments, including the 2022 World Cup triumph and the 2026 World Cup campaign, where Argentina reached the final. The centre-back has repeatedly praised Messi’s humility and influence on younger players, describing him as an idol who helped him adapt to the national team and calling him “the greatest of all time.”
At club level, Romero has become a key figure under Diego Simeone at Atlético Madrid. His comments came in the aftermath of a high-profile derby win, giving them extra visibility in the Spanish and international football media.
Messi’s 2026 Ballon d’Or case
Lionel Messi, now 39 and playing for Inter Miami, has already won a record eight Ballon d’Or awards (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2023). He is once again among the 30-man shortlist for the 2026 edition, announced by France Football. The ceremony is scheduled for 26 October 2026 in London—the first time the event will be held outside Paris.
Messi’s inclusion stems largely from his performances with Argentina at the 2026 World Cup and continued contributions at club level. While younger stars such as Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé, and Harry Kane are widely viewed as strong contenders, Messi’s presence on the list keeps the debate alive among fans and former teammates.
Romero’s stance echoes a common view among many of Messi’s Argentina colleagues: that the eight-time winner still operates on a different level in terms of pure footballing quality and leadership, even at an advanced age for the sport.
The broader Ballon d’Or conversation
The Ballon d’Or has long mixed on-pitch excellence with other factors—narrative, consistency across a calendar year or season, and, as Romero hinted, visibility and commercial appeal. Critics and supporters often argue about the balance between pure performance metrics and the “story” surrounding a player.
Romero’s comments feed into that ongoing discussion. By stating that Messi should receive the award until retirement and then pointing to marketing influence afterward, he highlights both admiration for Messi’s unique status and a degree of skepticism about how the prize is decided in the modern game.
Other high-profile voices have also weighed in on Messi’s candidacy this cycle, while players such as Yamal and Mbappé have publicly expressed their own ambitions for the trophy.
Looking ahead
Whether Messi claims a record-extending ninth Ballon d’Or remains to be seen when the votes are tallied and the winner is announced in late October. What is clear from Romero’s remarks is the deep respect Messi still commands among current teammates and compatriots.
For now, the Atlético defender’s message is straightforward: as long as Lionel Messi is playing, there is no one like him—and the Ballon d’Or should reflect that.
Post a Comment