The Ballon d’Or ceremony, a night celebrating football’s finest, saw Lionel Messi and Jude Bellingham receiving top honors. However, it was Messi’s choices in the Kopa Trophy vote, awarded to the world’s best under-21 player, that raised some eyebrows. While Messi’s votes didn’t favor Bellingham, the Real Madrid star still clinched the award with a significant margin, leaving Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala and Barcelona’s Pedri trailing.
Lionel Messi’s Eighth Ballon d’Or:
Before delving into the Kopa Trophy controversy, it’s worth noting that Lionel Messi won his record eighth Ballon d’Or, a well-deserved recognition following his exceptional performance and World Cup glory with Argentina.
The Kopa Trophy Voting:
In the Kopa Trophy vote, 20-year-old Jude Bellingham received a notable 90 out of 96 points from a panel of 32 former Ballon d’Or winners. The voting system allocated three points for first-place votes, two for second place, and one for third place. Bellingham’s exceptional year made him the clear winner, with Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala finishing as the distant runner-up, 48 points behind.
Pedri, the 2021 Kopa Trophy winner, secured the third spot with 33 points. However, Lionel Messi’s vote revealed a different order. He had Musiala in the top spot, followed by Pedri, and Bellingham in third place.
Bellingham’s Reaction:
While Bellingham did not have a vote in the Ballon d’Or winner selection, he shared his perspective during the ceremony. He acknowledged Messi’s fantastic World Cup performance and stated that Messi deserved to win the Ballon d’Or. Bellingham thanked his supporters and emphasized that there is more to come in his career.
Other Notable Votes:
It’s interesting to note that Karim Benzema, the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner and one of the 12 voters, did not give Bellingham his first-place vote. Instead, he had Eduardo Camavinga at the top of his list, with Pedri in second place and Bellingham in third.
Camavinga featured on eight of the 12 released ballots, receiving recognition from various football legends. Gavi, the reigning award-winner, didn’t make the top three this time but still received votes from Modric and Blokhin.
Conclusion:
The Kopa Trophy vote results, influenced by Messi’s choices, have sparked discussions in the football world. While Bellingham emerged as the winner, the differences in preferences among voters highlight the subjectivity of individual assessments in the beautiful game. Despite the controversy, the future remains bright for young talents like Jude Bellingham, who continue to impress and inspire on the football pitch.
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