Also, the World Cup win was absolutely historic, topping off the career of one of, if not the best to ever play the game. He was undoubtedly instrumental in that WC win—that entire WC run, let alone the final. I honestly think it couldn’t NOT go to him as a send off. He decided to step back after reaching the top—and he finally reached the top literally in this balon d’or cycle. If that doesn’t deserve a win, I’m not sure I know what does.
I mean, 30 league goals, surpassing Pele’s single club goal scoring record…that’s…kind of achieving something? What’s the counter-argument in the face of breaking the previously (near-)undisputed great’s record? You’d have equally, if not a more convincing argument against NOT giving it to him when breaking Pele’s club career goal scoring record.
There will always be people who argue against the winner. But breaking such a longstanding, massive record of a legend? It’s not really hard to understand the reasons for giving it to him. Like it or not, this award has interesting criteria for the winner. Massive milestones like this always outweigh more than a long season+ of solid performances.
I mean, this is a yearly award. So…
Also, the World Cup win was absolutely historic, topping off the career of one of, if not the best to ever play the game. He was undoubtedly instrumental in that WC win—that entire WC run, let alone the final. I honestly think it couldn’t NOT go to him as a send off. He decided to step back after reaching the top—and he finally reached the top literally in this balon d’or cycle. If that doesn’t deserve a win, I’m not sure I know what does.
But why did he receive the trophy the previous year? He achieved nothing and was completely transparent at PSG.
I mean, 30 league goals, surpassing Pele’s single club goal scoring record…that’s…kind of achieving something? What’s the counter-argument in the face of breaking the previously (near-)undisputed great’s record? You’d have equally, if not a more convincing argument against NOT giving it to him when breaking Pele’s club career goal scoring record.
There will always be people who argue against the winner. But breaking such a longstanding, massive record of a legend? It’s not really hard to understand the reasons for giving it to him. Like it or not, this award has interesting criteria for the winner. Massive milestones like this always outweigh more than a long season+ of solid performances.