In Madrid, where Atlético’s victory over Real Madrid at the Metropolitano gave the derby its usual fevered edge, Cristian “Cuti” Romero turned the conversation toward Lionel Messi and the next Ballon d’Or. The Argentina defender believes there should be no debate over the prize, backing his long-time international captain for another individual honour.
Romero spoke warmly of Messi’s influence beyond the pitch, describing him as still the finest player in the world while stressing a humility he feels is rare at the highest level. He said Messi had helped him settle into the Argentina national team, an experience that deepened an admiration formed in childhood.
“He has been my idol since I was very young,” Romero said. “I watched him suffer, then win everything. Having shared so much with him, I see him as the greatest of all time.”
For Romero, the Ballon d’Or would also offer a fitting farewell to another chapter in Messi’s career. “It would be a beautiful goodbye,” he said. “Of course the Ballon d’Or belongs to him. There is nobody else like him.”
Argentina voices gather behind Messi
Diego Simeone had already made his own position clear before Atlético’s meeting with Osasuna. The Atlético coach pointed to Messi’s World Cup performances and his longevity as decisive reasons to hand him the award. “Messi, without any doubt,” Simeone said. “After the World Cup he had, at his age, there is no doubt: Messi.”
The argument has intensified after L’Équipe placed Messi among its five leading contenders on its front page, a selection that prompted debate over omissions, with Rodri among the names many felt deserved a place.
Messi, now 39, remains in contention after a World Cup campaign that added further weight to an already extraordinary international record. His tournament totals stand at 21 goals and 12 assists, although Kylian Mbappé has since moved past him at the top in one of those measures. For Romero and Simeone, however, the wider case remains simple: Messi’s standing with Argentina and his enduring level make him their clear choice.
