Swedish professional footballer, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, has said that Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski was much deserving of the 2021 Ballon d’Or award.
Naija News reports that Argentine forward and Paris Saint-Germain striker, Lionel Messi emerged as the winner of the 2021 men’s Ballon d’Or.
The talismanic player made history on Monday night when he was declared winner of the award ahead of all other contestants including Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski.
With the 2021 award in the kitty, 34-year-old Messi has now won the Ballon d’Or for a record seventh time.
Naija News reports the Ballon d’Or was held at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France.
Messi’s closest rival in the list of winners of the prestigious Ballon d’Or award, Cristiano Ronaldo who has 5 wins to his name could only manage a 6th place finish on Monday night in the top list of players contesting for the 2021 award.
Reacting, however, to the just-concluded event which has stirred controversies on and off social media, AC Milan star, Ibrahimovic believes the 2021 Ballon d’Or should have been awarded to Lewandowski and not Messi.
The 40-year-old player, however, commended Messi and said the Argentine ‘lives for football’.
When asked whether he prefers Messi or Ronaldo, Ibrahimovic told Corriere Della Sera: “They are both very strong.
“I say Messi also because we played together.’ On the relationship he has with Messi, Ibrahimovic added: “Professional. Leo lives for football. But Lewandowski deserved the Ballon d’Or this year.”
Meanwhile, Barcelona defender, Gerard Pique has ruled out the possibility of ever joining Real Madrid anytime in the future.
The Spanish international who lays in the centre-back position said it’s absolutely impossible for him to consider an offer from Madrid.
Speaking during an interview with Spanish television show El Homiguero ahead of Barca’s match with Real Betis in the La Liga, Pique said “It’s absolutely impossible” for him to consider an offer from Real Madrid.
“There’s nothing. I would rather die than go to Madrid,” he added with a smile.
This article was originally published on Naija News