"Spent All Year in Miami!": Benatia Mocks Messi's 5th Place Ballon d'Or Finish
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Former Morocco captain Mehdi Benatia criticizes the 2026 Ballon d'Or rankings, questioning Lionel Messi's fifth-place spot and Rodri's fourth-place finish.
"Did They Watch Him More Than Olise?": Benatia Slams Ballon d'Or Results and Messi's Ranking
Former Morocco captain Mehdi Benatia has voiced sharp criticism over the final standings of the 2026 Ballon d'Or, specifically targeting what he deemed unjustified placements for Argentine star Lionel Messi and Spanish midfielder Rodri.
The former Juventus and Bayern Munich defender expressed utter astonishment in remarks relayed by Foot Mercato that Messi secured fifth place globally despite playing outside elite European leagues, sarcastically questioning whether voters watched Messi in America more than standouts like Michael Olise. Benatia also questioned Rodri’s fourth-place position, noting that the midfielder played merely four months throughout the entire football calendar.
This comes in the wake of Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane capturing his maiden Ballon d'Or, ahead of Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal.
