“He continues to make a difference” - Ex-Barcelona star says Lionel Messi deserves 2024 Ballon d'Or since he’s still best in the world

Former Barcelona star Jordi Alba has made a surprising claim regarding Lionel Messi and the 2024 Ballon d'Or award. The Inter Miami defender insists that his Argentine colleague deserves to claim the coveted prize once again as he remains the best player in the world.

It goes without mentioning that the race for the 2024 Ballon d'Or award is almost over. The winner of the accolade will be announced by France Football at the award ceremony in Paris next week on Monday (October 28).

According to Diario Sport, Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior has emerged in front and will go home with the prize. The Brazilian was instrumental as the Spanish giants won the Champions League and LaLiga last season, contributing 24 goals and 11 assists in 39 games.

Regardless, Jordi Alba feels the award should go to Lionel Messi instead because the Argentine remains the best footballer on the planet.

"I have never given much importance to the Ballon d'Or, but for me Leo always has to be there," the Spaniard was quoted as saying by SPORTbible.

"He continues to make a difference, he is the best in the world without a doubt when being at the highest level," he added.

It is worth noting that Lionel Messi is the current holder of the Ballon d'Or. The Argentine won the last edition of the award, beating competition from Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe to claim it for the eight time in his career last year - the most by any player so far.

That said, the Barcelona and Inter Miami icon has zero chances of winning the award this time as he wasn't nominated for the first time in 21 years.

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Lionel Messi still firing on all cylinders

Despite celebrating his 37th birthday in June this year, Lionel Messi doesn't appear to be slowing down at all and it looks like he might keep going for a little longer. The Argentine recently dominated newspaper headlines by scoring back-to-back hat-tricks for club and country.

So far this season, the former Barcelona captain bagged 22 goals and 13 assists for Inter Miami in 23 appearances across all competitions. That includes 20 goals and 10 assists in the MLS, two goals and as many assists in the CONCACAF Champions Cup as well as one assist in the MLS Cup Playoffs.

Up next, the Herons will once again play Atlanta United in the second match in the MLS Playoffs Round One Best-of-Three series on Saturday, 2 November at the Mercedez-Benz arena in Atlanta. They'll be counting on the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner to provide answers in front of goal once again.