Lionel Messi has gained extra Ballon d’Or – eight – than another footballer in historical past. However who did the Argentinian icon vote for when it got here to soccer’s most prestigious particular person award?
The previous Barcelona and PSG legend began voting within the Ballon d’Or within the 12 months 2011, after he was made Argentina captain. Then, from 2016 onwards, there was a cut up between FIFA and France Soccer and Messi as an alternative voted in FIFA’s rival ‘The Finest’ award.
Right here’s each participant that Messi voted (with a primary, second and third every year) for the Ballon d’Or between 2011 and 2015. We’ve checked in on the place all of them are at present.
Andres Iniesta – 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 & 2015
The enduring Spanish midfielder was the one participant to characteristic in Messi’s picks throughout all 5 years.
Having been essential to Spain’s success in 2012 after which Barcelona each season, together with the treble-winning marketing campaign of 2014-2015.
On pure soccer potential, it’s onerous to argue towards him that includes yearly, however his peak got here in these earlier years.
He remained at Barca till 2018 and he left after 22 years on the membership having come by means of the academy.
Subsequent up was an journey in Japan with Vissel Kobe the place he gained two trophies in 5 years earlier than ending his profession in 2024 at Emirates within the UAE and he now lives a quiet life away from soccer.
Xavi – 2011, 2012 & 2013
On the peak of his powers in and round 2008-2013, Xavi helped Spain and Barcelona dominate successful all method of trophies in addition to that includes within the World XI in all of these years.
His degree dropped after that because the in-form Ivan Rakitic took his place in his ultimate 12 months, however he completed third within the Ballon d’Or on three events (2009, 2010 and 2011).
Having seen his crew win the treble in 2015, he opted to say farewell to his boyhood membership after 24 years.
He then journeyed to Qatar to play for Al Sadd for 4 years earlier than retiring in 2019 after successful 4 trophies.
Xavi is at present mendacity in anticipate his subsequent position in administration having left Barca in 2024 after three years in cost.
Sergio Aguero – 2011 & 2012
Likened to a brother by Messi, Aguero got here up by means of the ranks in Argentina with him and was chosen in his Ballon d’Or picks in each 2011 and 2012.
In fact, the latter 12 months featured that Premier League title win and iconic final-day aim towards QPR which justified his choice.
Whereas his 2011 season for Atletico noticed him web 27 targets in all competitions as he grew to become one in all Europe’s hottest properties.
Having loved 10 profitable years at Metropolis, he then joined Barca aged 33 however after a number of appearances, he was taken to hospital with chest discomfort identified as cardiac arrhythmia and later retired below recommendation from medical docs.
Neymar – 2013 & 2015
Neymar, the celebrity at Santos on the time, completed fifth within the rankings which was his second high 10 end on the Ballon d’Or awards making him the one participant to characteristic within the high 10 taking part in exterior of Europe’s high 5 leagues.
Clearly, Messi noticed greatness in him and the pair had been linking up a 12 months later at Camp Nou.
The second got here after their treble-winning season, Neymar fashioned a part of the famed MSN strikeforce, netting 39 instances and offering 10 assists.
After rising right into a celebrity, he opted to depart for Paris Saint-Germain to be the primary on the French membership however didn’t win the Ballon d’Or or Champions League and ultimately left for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia.
He spent the vast majority of his there time injured earlier than just lately returning to his boyhood membership Santos.
READ MORE: Evaluating Neymar’s profession document now to Lionel Messi & Cristiano Ronaldo on the age of 33
Angel Di Maria – 2014
Worldwide team-mate Di Maria was among the best gamers in Europe that 12 months as Madrid captured the Champions League, with the Argentinian incomes the Man of the Match award within the ultimate.
He managed two assists within the El Clasico towards Barca and was unimaginable that 12 months with 26 assists.
After that, he earned a big-money transfer to Manchester United however left after only one season earlier than changing into a key determine at PSG for seven years, successful 19 trophies.
He stopped off at Juventus for a 12 months earlier than returning to his first European membership Benfica and he at present stays a key determine with 14 targets and eight assists this season at age 36.
Luis Suarez – 2015
Suarez was on high kind that season netting 25 targets but in addition offering 23 assists, making him one in all Messi’s greatest-ever teammates and collaborators.
A key a part of the MSN trio, he was the selfless one out of the three, all the time joyful to create for one in all his teammates but it surely was a shocking debut season at a high membership and he solely went on to web extra targets within the coming years.
After six years and 195 targets, he was allowed to affix rivals Atletico Madrid, the place he loved a profitable time successful La Liga.
He then headed to Nacional in Uruguay the place he thought his profession could finish, however he loved a brand new lease of life at Gremio in Brazil successful trophies earlier than cashing in to play within the MLS at Inter Miami with Messi.
READ MORE: The place are they now? The Ballon d’Or high 5 within the 12 months Lamine Yamal was born
TRY A QUIZ: Are you able to identify each participant to make the Ballon d’Or high three within the 2020s?
Javier Mascherano – 2014
One in every of his worldwide and membership teammates Javier Mascherano made a considerably shock look in his high three in 2014.
He was important in Argentina’s defence as they reached the World Cup ultimate that 12 months and it’s doubtless due to that he featured.
He remained on the membership till 2018 earlier than ending his profession at two golf equipment, Hebei Chinese language Fortune and Estudiantes in Argentina.
After retiring, he headed into administration with the Argentinian youth groups and, satirically, he finds himself managing Suarez, Messi, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets as head coach of Inter Miami.
