Felipe Melo Chooses Lionel Messi for the Ballon d’Or
Felipe Melo has backed Lionel Messi to win the Ballon d’Or, pointing to the Argentine’s influence with both his national team and club. The former Brazil international compared Messi with several other leading candidates before explaining why he believes the Inter Miami forward remains the strongest choice.
“For me, the Ballon d’Or goes to Messi. Let me explain why,” Melo began before discussing the other players who could contend for the award.
Melo mentioned Raphinha’s successful season with Barcelona but noted that the Brazilian did not make the same impact with Brazil at the World Cup. He also referenced Kylian Mbappé’s goalscoring record and Lamine Yamal’s achievements with Spain.
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“I could say Raphinha, who had a good season with Barcelona but didn’t make an impact with Brazil at the World Cup. I could say Mbappé, who scores a lot of goals, but didn’t win anything with Real Madrid. From Spain, it could be Lamine Yamal, who didn’t have a World Cup like Messi did,” he argued.
For Melo, Messi’s combination of international success and club form ultimately separates him from the other contenders. He highlighted Messi’s World Cup performance and his season in Major League Soccer as the decisive factors in his assessment.
“For me, he was the best player in the World Cup and had a great season in the MLS. In my opinion, Messi has to win the Ballon d’Or,” he stated.
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Felipe Melo Calls Messi the Greatest Player of All Time
Melo’s praise for Lionel Messi extended beyond the Ballon d’Or debate. When asked to consider the greatest players in soccer history, Melo named several icons—including Pelé, Zico, Ronaldo Nazário, Ronaldinho, Cristiano Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane and Neymar—but selected Messi as the greatest.
“Messi is the greatest of all time. I didn’t see Pelé play. There’s Zico, who’s one of my idols, but I didn’t see him play either. Ronaldo ‘O Fenômeno,’ Ronaldinho, Cristiano Ronaldo, Zidane, Neymar… but Messi is the greatest of all time.”
Melo clarified that choosing Messi does not diminish Cristiano Ronaldo’s achievements. He said he remains a major admirer of Ronaldo’s professionalism and physical condition, particularly given the forward’s age.
“I’m a huge fan of Cristiano because he’s an incredible professional: he’s 41 years old and looks like he’s in better shape than an 18-year-old—he’s a beast,” he said.
The Difference Felipe Melo Sees Between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
According to Melo, the main distinction between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo is how each player affects a difficult match. Melo argued that Ronaldo’s earlier career was defined by his ability to create and finish plays independently, while Messi can influence a tight game by moving deeper and creating chances for teammates.
“When Cristiano was 25 or 30, he did everything on his own, but now he needs the team to create opportunities for him. Messi doesn’t. If the game is tough and tight, he drops back and sets up his teammates to score goals. That’s why he’s a complete player,” he explained.
During the discussion, Melo also used the phrase “Messianic cycle” to describe Lionel Messi’s global appeal. He said Messi has encouraged supporters from other countries to identify with Argentina and wear the national team’s shirt because of their admiration for him.
“Messi is the kind of player who draws a huge following wherever he goes, and there are people who support him and wear the Argentine jersey just because of him. That happened at one point with Brazil and Ronaldo, Neymar, Romario… Messi is something else,” he concluded.
Why This Matters
Felipe Melo’s comments underline the competing standards used in Ballon d’Or discussions: individual statistics, club success, international performances and a player’s broader influence on matches. His argument for Lionel Messi is based not only on the Argentine’s production but also on his ability to contribute as a creator when games become difficult.
The comparison with Cristiano Ronaldo also reflects the enduring debate over the two players’ contrasting styles. Melo praised Ronaldo’s longevity and professionalism while presenting Messi’s playmaking and all-around involvement as the qualities that make him, in his view, the more complete player.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who does Felipe Melo think should win the Ballon d’Or?
Felipe Melo believes Lionel Messi should win the Ballon d’Or.
Why does Felipe Melo favor Lionel Messi?
Melo cited Messi’s performance at the World Cup and his strong season in MLS. He also said Messi can drop deeper and create opportunities for teammates in tight matches.
Does Felipe Melo criticize Cristiano Ronaldo?
No. Melo said he is a huge fan of Cristiano Ronaldo and praised the forward’s professionalism, longevity and physical condition. His preference for Messi is based on what he considers Messi’s greater completeness as a player.
