Lionel Messi backs Inter’s Lautaro Martinez to win the Ballon D’Or | OneFootball

Argentine superstar Lionel Messi has backed Lautaro Martinez’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or this year.

Speaking in an interview with TyC Sports via Alfredo Pedulla, eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi lauded Inter forward Lautaro Martinez for his performances last season in Europe and the Copa America. The Barcelona legend endorsed the 27-year-old to lift the individual accolade this year, after the multi-time Ballon D’or winner scored a hattrick in the World Cup qualifiers.

Messi remarked: “Lautaro deserves the Ballon d’Or more than anyone else. He had a spectacular year, he scored in the final, and he was the top scorer in the Copa America.”

Martinez is far from being the favourite to make his name into the Ballon d’Or Hall of Fame this year with players like Vinicius Jr., Rodri and Jude Bellingham running in the forefront. However, El Toro’s nomination comes on the back of a stunning campaign with Inter when he scored 27 goals across all competitions. He also lifted the Copa America where he emerged as the top scorer of the tournament, netting five goals and scoring in the final.

Trambak Bhattacherjee | GIFN