Red Bull Racing Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen recently commented on the current state of the Ballon d’Or, saying there is no clear favorite following the prolonged dominance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, Verstappen noted that although young talents like Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal have shown exceptional promise, the award’s outcome remains uncertain this year because of the lack of a standout frontrunner.
Verstappen expressed his belief that Yamal, despite his impressive performances, is still too young to win the Ballon d’Or at this stage. He said,
“What he’s doing is impressive for his age, huh? It is incredible. Look, it’s true that the Ballon d’Or has to be won by the best, but honestly, now, after the era of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, there’s no clear winner, at least for me, there’s no particular player who’s way ahead of the others at the moment. Maybe someone is still too young or whatever. But I’m sure Lamine Yamal will win the Ballon d’Or in the coming years.”
Verstappen’s View on Barcelona’s Tactical Approach
In addition to discussing the Ballon d’Or, Verstappen praised the current Barcelona manager Hansi Flick for his attacking style. The F1 driver expressed appreciation for Flick’s offensive tactics, though he acknowledged the inherent risks of such a strategy. Verstappen commented,
“I like it. So far it’s gone well. It’s very offensive. Sometimes risky on defence. It depends, because it’s something that works most of the time. But, of course, it also depends a bit on how the other teams play. You can’t always play with the same system. But I like it. And it’s gone well.”
Legacy of Messi and Ronaldo in the Ballon d’Or
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, two of football’s greatest players, have dominated the Ballon d’Or for more than a decade. However, this year’s nominations do not include either of them. Messi, the Argentine superstar, most recently won the award in 2023, and Ronaldo, the Portuguese forward, last claimed it in 2017. Their absence marks a clear generational shift in football’s most prestigious accolade.
Verstappen Reflects on Comparing Messi and Ronaldo
In a 2021 interview with ViaPlay, Verstappen was asked to choose between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the better player. He declined to pick one over the other, instead highlighting the distinct qualities each player brings to the game. Verstappen said,
“They are very different, so I can’t choose. I find it impossible to choose because I think Messi has more talent than Cristiano, but Cristiano has just kept on working and being incredibly fit. I mean, what he does at his age is incredible, but that’s how you can become very, very good as well.”
Cristiano Ronaldo has secured the Ballon d’Or five times, while Lionel Messi has won it eight times, including three awards since Ronaldo’s last win in 2017.
What Lies Ahead for the Ballon d’Or
With no dominant player clearly ahead in the race for the Ballon d’Or, the coming years could see the emergence of new football stars. Verstappen’s confidence in Lamine Yamal’s future success underscores the potential rise of a new generation poised to challenge the legacy left by Messi and Ronaldo. For now, the award remains highly contested, reflecting a transitional period in world football where young talents continue to prove themselves on the global stage.
