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Xavi Backs Spain Player for Ballon d'Or, Praises Messi

Netherlands coach Xavi says a Spain player should win the Ballon d'Or as world champions, naming Lamine Yamal, while calling Messi's World Cup at 39 magnificent.

Published 1 min read Sportpul editorial
Lamine Yamal in white kit with red stripes and yellow collar, headband on his head, stadium stands behind him

Xavi stated that a Spanish player should win the Ballon d'Or, naming Lamine Yamal as the choice, while praising Lionel Messi's performance at the World Cup.

"Lionel Messi played at a world-class level at the World Cup. At 39, the tournament he played was simply magnificent, superb... but Spain are Euro 2024 champions. A Spain player should win the Ballon d'Or," Xavi said at a press conference. "Lamine Yamal is a special player, there is no doubt about that. He will win the Ballon d'Or at least once in his career. He has had a great year to be able to win it right now."

Asked directly whom he would choose, he told a sports website that it would be the Spanish player, "but Leo also played brilliantly at the World Cup". He described Messi's tournament at 39 as "fantastic" and said Yamal, who is 19, "is not like the others".

Both are among the 30 nominees. The ceremony is in London on 26 October.

Yamal, a Barcelona right winger, came through La Masia. Spain won Euro 2024, which Xavi gave as his reason for looking to their squad. Messi announced his retirement from Argentina on 4 September, after 21 years and 125 goals for the national team.

If voters weigh the World Cup result as heavily as Xavi does, this may favour Yamal over Messi on the night.

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