Speaking in an interview with France Football after attaining his record 6th Ballon D’Or last night, Barcelona attacker Lionel Messi admitted that he felt a certain amount of pain when Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus) equalled his previous Ballon D’Or haul of 5 titles in 2017.
“On the one hand, I appreciated having 5 and being the only one to do so. When Cristiano levelled me, I have to admit that it hurt me a bit. I was no longer alone at the summit. But it was logical, even if it is nice when you are alone on 5.”
On if he is the best player in the history of football, now that he stands alone again with 6 Ballon D’Ors:
It is truly difficult to say. There have been other great players in other eras, and it is always difficult to compare them with current players, like Cristiano, like “Ney,” and Mbappé. Each person has their own preference. Honestly, I do not know if I am the best player in the history of football. I have been fortunate enough to win the Ballon D’Or once more, to be alone with 6 titles, and that makes me very happy.
