Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are among the greatest players in soccer. Both have enjoyed monumental success in their careers, respectively. The duo has brought a different dimension to soccer for the fans. Even today, their names come up in GOAT debates.

While no one has a definite answer, the entire world continues to enjoy their careers until one of them retires. Their rivalry has been one of the biggest highlights of this sport, as both pushed each other and are brilliant in their own way. In fact, their rivalry was seen in many award functions, including the prestigious Ballon d’Or. Both have ruled the award list for more than a decade.

However, according to Italian striker Mario Balotelli, that wouldn’t have been the case, as the Italian made a huge claim about the prestigious trophy.

Mario Balotelli makes shocking claims about Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

The former Manchester City star recently sat down for an interview on Muschi Selvaggio’s podcast. Balotelli claimed that his former agent, Late Mino Raiola, backed him to win the award. “Raiola always told me that Ronaldo and Messi – they have so many Ballons d’Or because I played 20% of my chances and that if I played 100% I would have won them [Ballons d’Or]. If I look at my career, I have one regret: I could have done more.”

This isn’t the first time he made such claims about winning the Ballons d’Or. Last year, while speaking to The Athletic, Balloteli compared himself to Ronaldo, “I missed some chances to be at that level. But I am 100 per cent sure that my quality is the same level as these people, but I… I missed some chances, you know? It happens.”

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He added, “And nowadays, I cannot say I’m as good as Ronaldo, because Ronaldo won how many golden balls (Ballons d’Or)? Five? You cannot compare yourself to Messi and Ronaldo, nobody can. But if we’re talking about only quality, football quality, I have nothing to be jealous of them, to be honest”

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Back in 2016, he had expressed his desire to win the prestigious trophy. It seems Balotelli was quite optimistic about his chances of winning the award, but the player failed to do so. However, he also ignited the GOAT debate as well.

Balotelli reintroduces the GOAT debate

It’s unlucky for Balotelli that he couldn’t clinch his hands on the prestigious trophy. Either way, this didn’t stop him from dipping his toes in the GOAT debate, stating Messi is still the best player. He also revealed his four best players and also had a piece of advice for soccer stars, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.

“The strongest player is still Messi. Haaland and Mbappé , if they have the right mindset, will be the next Messi and Ronaldo for the next 10 years. I also really like Leao and Osimhen. For me, these four can make football history,” as reported by La Reppublica. Currently, Balotelli is playing for the Swiss side, FC Sion. There, he has scored six and assisted one goal in over 19 appearances.

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What are your thoughts on Mario Balotelli’s claims about winning the Ballon d’Or? Let us know in the comments.