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Former Barcelona midfielder Arturo Vidal has explained what legendary Argentine forward Lionel Messi must do to win the Ballon d'Or. The Chilean believes La Pulga will have to win the ongoing Copa America tournament if he intends to claim the award for the ninth time.
The 37-year-old Vidal currently turns out for Colo-Colo in his native Chile where he has played 41 times, scoring nine times and assisting one goal across two spells. Messi is currently dazzling in Miami with Inter Miami, scoring 14 and assisting 11 in 15 games this season.
The duo played together at Barcelona between 2018 and 2020, with Vidal making 81 appearances alongside Messi for Blaugrana.
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Speaking during an interview with streamer Davo Xeneize, Vidal said Jude Bellingham was the favorite to claim the Ballon d'Or, but told Lionel Messi how he could claim the prize, saying:
"I like Jude Bellingham a lot, he scores goals, he takes the ball, he does a lot of things like me, I identify with him. For Real Madrid, Jude was the best. He has to play well in the EUROs otherwise he will lose the Ballon d'Or. If Leo Messi wins the Copa America, he can get back in the race."
The Colo-Colo midfielder is not a part of his nation's team for Copa America but will hope to add to his 142 appearances and 34 goals for Chile in the future.
Former Barcelona midfielder Arturo Vidal believes Lionel Messi-led Argentina to be Copa America favorites
Former Barcelona midfielder Arturo Vidal believes Lionel Messi-led Argentina to be the number one choice to win the ongoing Copa America tournament. La Albiceleste are one of the favorites to lift the tournament being hosted in the United States of America.
Speaking in a recent interview with Davo Xeneize, the midfielder said:
"Argentina is the number one candidate to win the Copa América. Brazil does not convince me as a team. Argentina is the number 1 candidate to win the Cup. I see it very strongly. As a team, they are very confident. They have grown a lot after the World Cup. I also like Colombia, Uruguay, and Chile."
La Albiceleste won the the 2022 FIFA World Cup after their 2021 Copa America victory and will hope to claim a third trophy on the bounce. Lionel Messi is likely appearing in his final edition of the tournament and will be keen to sign off with a tournament win as predicted by Arturo Vidal.
