The http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sweden-c3015 international has taken out time to speak about his former teammate, claiming that the Barca number 10 should not be named the winner of the Golden Ball this season.
Paris Saint-Germain’s http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lionel-Messi-c22296 should be awarded this year’s FIFA Ballon d’Or.
The striker claimed that even though the Argentine had a great season on an individual level, he was unable to win a significant trophy with his side. Hence, he maintained that another athlete should be handed the coveted trophy.
Last season saw Messi break a number of individual records and topple statistics after one of the best campaigns of his career, scoring 73 times in a total of 60 appearances for La Blaugrana.
The forward also became the highest goal-scorer in the history of the Nou Camp outfit, in addition to being the highest scorer in Europe for one season.
However, the attacker’s club was not able to secure the silverware in either the Spanish La Liga or the UEFA Champions League. The only significant trophy won by the Catalan giants was the Copa del Rey, consequently the premise for Ibra's statement.
Even though Messi was brilliant on a personal level, he could not inspire his team to a notable triumph.
Continuing the discussion, the Swede exclaimed that the Argentine international has been winning the award for the last 3 years and if he does it once again then it would rule out other footballers from the competition.
While talking to Eurosport, the former Barcelona footballer was quoted as saying:
“From a personal point of view he had a great season, but he did not win anything with his club. Messi has already won three Ballon d’Or(s) and continues to win year after year. It will be difficult for other players to get their own recognition. Let’s hope
that someone else will win this year.”
Ibrahimovic spent one season at Barcelona in 2009/2010, which he still remembers as one of the worst times of his life.
The forward had a falling out with Pep Guardiola and left the Catalan capital after Messi was given more preference over him.
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