CORNERFLICK
Lionel Messi’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or have risen sharply after Argentina reached the World Cup final.
Norwegian Ballon d’Or voter Lars Tjærnås told VG that performances at a World Cup carry huge weight in the award race, especially in a year when the tournament dominates the football calendar. He said Messi would have a strong case if Argentina win the title and the captain finishes as top scorer.
Before the tournament, Goal journalist Tom Maston had Messi down in 11th place in his Ballon d’Or rankings. He now believes the Argentine can move to the top if his side win on Sunday. Maston also said Messi would not have been in his top 20 in a non-World Cup year, arguing that MLS performances are judged less highly than elite European football.
Tjærnås said Ballon d’Or voting should balance team success, individual honours and a player’s season-long form. He added that recent form, especially at a World Cup, tends to stick in voters’ minds.
Argentina face Spain in Sunday night’s final. A win would make them the first nation since Brazil in 1958 and 1962 to lift back-to-back World Cups.