This week started with the soccer world witnessing Lionel Messi lift his eighth Ballon d’Or. As the dust settles, the Argentinian superstar’s latest prestigious win has become a barbershop topic. In the mix of both positive and negative responses, Messi’s 2023 Ballon d’Or triumph has been unexpectedly compared to legendary actor Al Pacino deeming that the Argentine won it based on ‘merit‘.

Meanwhile, Lionel Messi is also one of the first names on the list to win the Super Ballon d’Or in the coming years. However, a popular journalist recently attempted to make a case for the Argentine’s long-time arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

Lionel Messi compared to Al Pacino following Ballon d’Or win

In the latest episode of ESPN, former Norwegian star Jan Aage Fjortoft talked about Messi’s Ballon d’Or win alongside host Dan Thomas and pundits Shaka Hislop and Craig Burley. Jan Aage reckoned that nobody would say Messi didn’t deserve any prize. The former player then heaped praise on La Pulga. He stated that Messi will be a player of the year, not just in Norway’s soccer league but even in the country’s ice hockey league.

While continuing the praise, he then made a unique comparison. “Leo Messi is the god, he’s the G.O.A.T, and he’s the best player ever. But if we take this award for serious, that was for the last season, you can’t have a better season than Erling Haaland had. If it gonna go on merit then the Oscar award will always go to Robert De Niro and Al Pacino because they were fantastic actors. You can’t do it,” he said.

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Jan Aage added about Lewandowski’s poor luck in not winning his deserving Ballon d’Or. The 56-year-old then concluded, “100%, I was with Haaland. Does that mean I don’t like Messi? I love Messi. He’s probably the best ever, as is Al Pacino one of the best actors ever.” Indeed, these are some interesting claims from the former soccer star.

Meanwhile, after Messi won his historic Ballon d’Or, talk of the Super Ballon d’Or quickly surfaced. In fact, a renowned journalist has surprisingly backed Messi’s arch-rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, for the once-in-a-lifetime award.

Cristiano Ronaldo is backed to win the Super Ballon d’Or

Amid the celebrations and accolades for Messi’s Ballon d’Or victory, prominent Spanish journalist Josep Pedrerol has made a thought-provoking statement. During a discussion on a TV show, he argued that Cristiano Ronaldo should be the recipient of the Super Ballon d’Or. Pedrerol boldly stated, “If Messi was given a Ballon d’Or as a tribute to his career, then Cristiano Ronaldo deserves to receive a Super Ballon d’Or like Di Stéfano.”

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It’s worth noting that the Super Ballon d’Or is a prestigious award granted only once in 1989 to Real Madrid legend Alfredo Di Stefano. The next award will now likely be held in 2029. It remains to be seen if either Messi or Ronaldo can win the super-duper-coveted award.

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