The Messi Case – By Tumelo Matsinyane

The Messi Case
Tumelo Matsinyane’s response to Malome Thabiso

Why Lionel Messi should win the Ballon d’Or

I think Messi will take the 2011 Ballon d’Or. Forlan has been playing well yes, but Messi has been winning trophies. Isn’t that what counts? How an individual has singlehandedly won games for his team?

Messi has been doing that for seasons now. He is a match winner; and Barca are in this form mainly because of him. Players out there want to be like Messi and add to that he has been very disciplined.

Lionel Messi... The One

The reason why Xavi, Ronaldo and Forlan won’t win the Ballon d’Or is because of consistency. You might argue that Xavi is always looking sharp, but does he go the extra mile to win games for Barca and Spain? A superior player should not only be judged on current form but on technique, skill, form throughout the season and ability to play with other players.

Xavi might have most of these but on a one-to-one basis, Messi is better. Cristiano Ronaldo on the other hand has never been a consistent all-round player, all he does is score. Forlan is good but has he shown all those qualities throughout the past year?

On that note, what’s your selection criterion then?

Van Persie is winning games for Arsenal, David Silva from Man City is on top form, but can we safely conclude that they deserve to be named World Players of the Year? Look at how much Messi has achieved for Barca. Just a few months ago he killed Real Madrid in the Super Cup. He won Uefa Champions league for them and also La Liga.

Now who on earth would you put forward ahead of a man of this calibre?