Arsène Wenger Believed Lionel Messi Didn't Deserve the 2012 Ballon d'Or
- Arsène Wenger previously claimed that Lionel Messi did not deserve to win the 2012 Ballon d’Or, despite his record-breaking 91-goal calendar year
- Messi was the overwhelming favourite and secured his fourth consecutive title with over 40% of the votes.
- However, Wenger argued that Messi’s individual brilliance was not enough to warrant the honour, given his lack of major team achievements that year
Arsène Wenger once expressed his belief that Lionel Messi should not have won the 2012 Ballon d'Or, despite the Argentine breaking records with an astonishing 91 goals in a calendar year.
Messi, already a three-time Ballon d'Or winner, was the overwhelming favourite that year, receiving more than 40% of the votes to secure his fourth consecutive title.
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Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi's long-time rival, finished second after leading Real Madrid to their first La Liga title in four years, while Andrés Iniesta took third place, having played a pivotal role in Spain's Euro 2012 triumph.
Despite Messi’s extraordinary individual achievements, Wenger felt the lack of team success made him an undeserving recipient of the prestigious award.
In an interview with Arsenal's club magazine in 2012, Wenger was candid about his stance, saying:
"No, not this year. For me, Messi is certainly the best player I have ever seen in the game, but I believe that this year he has really been rewarded for what he did individually, rather than what he won for his team. He did not win the Champions League, the Spanish league, or anything with his country, but individually, it’s true he had an exceptional year, scoring 91 goals."
Wenger emphasised his preference for recognising players whose achievements reflect collective team success.
Th Frnhman suggested that other players were more deserving of the honour that year, naming Cristiano Ronaldo, Iker Casillas, and Andrés Iniesta as worthy candidates.
"Casillas, Ronaldo – who won the championship – and especially Iniesta deserved it more," he argued. "Iniesta is always number two or three, but he won the European Championship with Spain. He could have deserved it this year."
He also voiced his scepticism about individual awards in football, a sport he viewed as inherently team-oriented.
"I am not a big fan of individual awards in football to start with, but when it happens, I think it should be the consequence of a special team achievement as well," Wenger added.
While Messi’s 2012 triumph remains one of the most celebrated in football history, Wenger’s remarks highlight the ongoing debate about the balance between individual brilliance and team success in recognizing greatness.
Yamal snubs Lionel Messi when naming his biggest 'idol'
Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal has surprised fans by naming Neymar Junior not Lionel Messi, as his biggest footballing idol.
The 17-year-old, who has become a key player for the Catalan giants, recently spoke to CNN about his inspirations, his future with the club, and Barcelona’s chances in the La Liga title race.
When asked about his footballing idol, Yamal reminisced about Neymar, whom he first saw playing for Santos at the age of five before watching him live at Camp Nou.
"It was incredible to see him. Yes, it’s true that Messi was also incredible, but Neymar was something totally different," he said. Calling Neymar "a star and a football legend," Yamal cited the Brazilian's unique style as the reason for his admiration.
Messi wins MVP prize in MLS
Previously, YEN.com.gh reported that Lionel Messi was crowned the Landon Donovan MVP in recognition of his exceptional performances in Major League Soccer.
Despite being sidelined for 62 days during the season, the Argentine icon played a crucial role in elevating Inter Miami to the summit of the Eastern Conference.
The 37-year-old concluded the regular season as the joint-second top scorer with 20 goals, sharing the spot with Denis Bouanga of Los Angeles FC and teammate Luis Suárez.
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Source: YEN.com.gh
