“It was a little unfair that I didn’t win and Messi did” - When ex-Netherlands star felt Lionel Messi did not deserve Ballon d'Or ahead of him

Former Dutch footballer Wesley Sneijder once proclaimed that Lionel Messi did not deserve the 2010 Ballon d'Or ahead of him. Sneijder had an incredibly successful 2009-10 season, winning the continental treble with Inter Milan under the guidance of Jose Mourinho. He was also significant to the Netherlands' route to the 2010 FIFA World Cup final, where they eventually lost 1-0 to Spain.

Despite his incredible campaign, Wesley Sneijder did not feature in the top three in the Ballon d'Or rankings. Lionel Messi took home the coveted award, with Andres Iniesta and Xavi ranking second and third, respectively. All three of them won La Liga and Supercopa de Espana with Barcelona in that season, while Iniesta and Xavi also became key to Spain's victory in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

In an interview with Egyptian channel Alhayah TV (via Diario AS) in December 2023, Wesley Sneijder indicated that he deserved the Ballon d'Or in 2010 over Lionel Messi. The Dutchman said:

“It was a little unfair that I didn’t win the 2010 Ballon d’Or and Messi did. But, I’m not a guy who cries about that. The Ballon d’Or is an individual award, and I prefer to win collective trophies."

However, Sneijder added that he prefers to win collective trophies and help his team, saying:

"If I had to choose between the Champions League and the Ballon d’Or, I would choose the Champions League I won, I’m very happy with that title. We deserved to win in the 2010 final against Spain, but they were incredible and beat us. Reaching the final was a wonderful achievement that I dreamed of and I’m still heartbroken to have lost.”

The Dutchman retired from professional football in 2019. While Sneijder's club and international achievements were commendable that season, Lionel Messi's individual brilliance presumably led people to favor him in the Ballon d'Or votes.

The former Blaugrana legend recorded 47 goals and 12 assists in 53 appearances for Barcelona across competitions, and made it to the World Cup quarter-finals with Argentina.

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"These awards are losing credibility" - When Cristiano Ronaldo questioned the Ballon d'Or's credibility after Lionel Messi's 8th win

Lionel Messi (L) and Cristiano Ronaldo - Source: Getty

In an interview with the media at the 2023 Globe Soccer Awards, Cristiano Ronaldo mentioned that awards like the Ballon d'Or are losing their credibility. His statements came soon after Lionel Messi won his record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or in October that year.

Ronaldo said:

"I think that, in a way, these awards are losing credibility. We have to analyse the entire season. It's not to say that Messi didn't deserve it, or Haaland or even Mbappe. I simply no longer believe in these awards."

The Portuguese legend indicated that these awards should be based on numbers, and added:

"And it's not because I won at Globe Soccer. But there are facts. There are numbers. And the numbers don't deceive. They can't take this trophy away from me because it's a reality. So it makes me even happier because the numbers are facts."

"We know how other organisms work. Obviously, I always think about my club and the national team first. The awards come after a good season for the club and the national team. I don't think about it much, honestly."

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have dominated the Ballon d'Or podium over two decades. The Portuguese talisman won five of them in his career while Lionel Messi boasts of eight awards, becoming the one with highest number of the coveted award in its history.