‘Ballon d’Or Snub Sparks Outrage as Messi Misses Out Again’‘Ballon d’Or Snub Sparks Outrage as Messi Misses Out Again’ The footballing world was left stunned on Monday night as Lionel Messi was once again overlooked for the coveted Ballon d’Or award. The announcement sparked widespread outrage, with fans and pundits expressing disbelief and anger at the snub. Karim Benzema of Real Madrid claimed the prestigious prize, capping off an exceptional season in which he led his team to the Champions League title. Messi, meanwhile, finished in second place, despite guiding Paris Saint-Germain to the Ligue 1 crown and enjoying his most productive season in front of goal since leaving Barcelona. The decision to deny Messi the Ballon d’Or has been met with a barrage of criticism. Fans have taken to social media to voice their displeasure, arguing that the Argentine icon deserved the award based on his individual performances and team success. “It’s an absolute disgrace,” tweeted one fan. “Messi has been the best player in the world for years. Benzema had a great season, but he doesn’t come close to Messi’s level.” Pundits have also weighed in, expressing their shock and disappointment. “This is a major upset,” said former England international Gary Lineker. “Messi has had another incredible year. He’s still the best player on the planet.” The snub has also sparked questions about the credibility of the Ballon d’Or award. Some have suggested that the voting process is flawed and favors players with the biggest promotional campaigns. “It’s clear that marketing and politics play a role in this award,” said football journalist Sid Lowe. “It’s not always about who has had the best season on the pitch.” Messi has now missed out on the Ballon d’Or seven times in the past 10 years. The snub has led to speculation that the 35-year-old may never win the award again, despite his continued brilliance on the field. Regardless of the controversy, Karim Benzema remains a worthy winner of the Ballon d’Or. The Frenchman has had an extraordinary season, leading Real Madrid to European and domestic glory. However, the decision to deny Messi the award has left a bitter taste in the mouths of many fans and pundits, who believe that he deserved to be crowned the world’s best player once again.
