Raissa's Blog - Best of Sports, Culture, and Entertainment

Paris Saint-Germain and Argentina forward Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d'Or for a record seventh time, beating Robert Lewandowski and Jorginho to lift football's most prestigious trophy once more. His previous wins came in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2019 - he had already won the trophy more times than any other player.  The 34-year-old was pivotal in Argentina's success - winning the Copa America - his first international honor, scoring 40 goals in 2021 - 28 for Barcelona, four for PSG and eight for Argentina.  Messi said: “It is incredible to be here again. Two years ago I thought that it was my last year and now I am here again. I am very happy, very excited and wanting to fight for new challenges. “I do not know how long I have left but I hope it will be a long time. I want to thank my teammates from Barcelona and PSG, and especially the Argentina team. I won this award and I had the feeling that I was missing something and this year I was able to achieve it. ...

According to Cristiano Ronaldo's agent, Jorge Mendes, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner would have won a sixth Ballon d'Or had he stayed at Real Madrid. Ronaldo joined Juventus in 2018, and Luka Modric won the Ballon d'Or that year, and Messi won it this year. Mendes said:  "Cristiano deserved to win the Ballon d'Or at least once in the last two years. If he had played at Real Madrid, he would have won it, but next year I think he can win it again. "For me it is an injustice [that Cristiano hasn't won the Ballon d'Or]. He won the Nations League and he is a champion. "But he knows what he should do, and then we will see what happens in 2020." He added that Cristiano Ronaldo " is the best player in the history of world football. " However, as of December 2nd, when the Ballon d'Or was awarded, Ronaldo had scored just 34 goals and made 5 assists for club and country; and Messi, 46 goals and 18 assists for club and ...

Sadio Mane has had a remarkable year for both club and country but finished fourth in the 2019 Ballon d'Or vote, which Messi terms "a shame". The 27-year-old Senegal and Liverpool forward spearheaded the Reds to their first UEFA Champions League title since 2005 and finished runner-up with Senegal in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. He was also the Premier League's joint Golden Boot winner. Barcelona legend Lionel Messi won the Ballon d'Or for a record sixth time. He revealed Mane was his top choice for The Best FIFA Men's Player earlier in September. "It’s a shame to see Mane finish in fourth place. "But I think there have been a lot of great players this year. That's why it was difficult to choose a particular player. But I chose Sadio Mane because he's a player that I like. "Mane achieved a great year that was exceptional for the entire Liverpool team. That's why I chose him. I repeat, there were a lot of very great play...

At the Ballon d'Or ceremony yesterday, Messi claimed his sixth Ballon d'Or award and Liverpool defender Van Dijk finished second. Ronaldo failed to attend the ceremony, choosing to attend the Gran Gala del Calcio in Milan. At the Ballon d'Or ceremony, during an interview with dutch broadcaster RTL7, Van Dijk was asked if Ronaldo's failure to show up at the ceremony meant that he had one less rival to compete with for the Ballon d'Or, he responded, "Was he a rival then?" Ronaldo's sister Katia Aveiro did not take the joke lightly and took to Instagram to vent her anger.  "Now, dear Virgil, where you are going, Cristiano Ronaldo has gone and has come [back] a thousand times," she started. "You see, my dear Virgil, that Cristiano Ronaldo was a three-times champion in the country where you have been playing for years and you still haven't got your hands on the trophy. "Cristiano Ronaldo was even the best player and be...

A notable absentee at the Ballon d'Or gala last night was one of football's finest - Cristiano Ronaldo. The Ballon d'Or finalist - third best in the 2019 Ballon d'Or ranking, behind winner Messi and second best Virgil van Dijk - was receiving an award of his own in Milan, Italy. He was awarded the Serie A footballer of the year, at the Gran Gal à  del Clac On collio ceremony. After collecting the award for best Serie A player, the 34-year-old said, "I'm proud to be the best player in the Serie A. I thank my teammates and everyone who voted for me. Now, I'll work to be here again next year." He was also named in the Team of the Year alongside    Samir Handanovic  (Inter);  Joao Cancelo  (ex-Juventus),  Giorgio Chiellini  (Juve),  Kalidou Koulibaly  (Napoli),  Aleksandar Kolarov  (Roma);  Miralem Pjanic  (Juve),  Nicolo Barella  (Cagliari/Inter),  Josip Ilicic  (Atalanta);  Fabio Quagli...

Messi won the Ballon d'Or yesterday, becoming the only player to win the coveted trophy six times. In an interview with France Football after the ceremony, Messi admitted it ached a little when Cristiano Ronaldo equaled his previous record of five Ballon d'Or titles in 2017. He said, " On the one hand, I appreciated having 5 and being the only one to do so. When Cristiano levelled me, I have to admit that it hurt me a bit. I was no longer alone at the summit. But it was logical, even if it is nice when you are alone on 5." Messi was also asked if he is the best player in the history of football, given that he is the only player to have won six Ballon d'Ors. He replied: " It is truly difficult to say. There have been other great players in other eras, and it is always difficult to compare them with current players, like Cristiano, like “Ney,” and Mbappé. Each person has their own preference. Honestly, I do not know if I am the best player in the history...

He came, he saw, and he conquered. Barcelona star Lionel Messi was awarded the 2019 Ballon d'Or at a star-studded ceremony in Paris on Monday evening. Messi saw off strong competition from Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk to lift the world's best player trophy for a record sixth time, and for the first time since 2015. Messi won his first Ballon d'Or in 2009, after claiming the treble under Pep Guardiola. He went on to win again in 2010, 2011, and 2012. He claimed the award again in 2015 after Cristiano Ronaldo's two successive wins in 2013 and 2014. Messi is the first player in history to win six Ballon d'Or awards. Next in line is Cristiano Ronaldo with five. Messi won quite the lot of silverware this year with the likes of La Liga, Super Copa, the Golden Boot (for being Europe's leading goalscorer), the Pichichi (for being Spain's leading marksman), FIFA Men's Player of the Year, and being the Champions League's leading goalscorer (12 goals). ...

Marseilles manager Andre Villas-Boas has backed compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo to win the Ballon d'Or come Monday. Villas-Boas said Cristiano Ronaldo's decision to leave Real Madrid for Juventus "should be appreciated". Despite backing Ronaldo for the win, he labelled both Messi and Ronaldo as extraterrestrials. "It's difficult... I am Portuguese so of course I support Ronaldo more," he said. "Cristiano took a risk by leaving the best team in the world, with more titles in the world. That kind of risk should be appreciated. Playing in Italy and scoring goals is difficult. "Messi is still in his club, Barcelona, which is a big club. He is able to make the difference. "But I am more for Cristiano because I'm Portuguese. Both of them are exceptional, it's difficult to choose. It [Ballon d'Or] will become a competition between them. "Having these two players in the same generation and watching them is absolutely i...

Kylian Mbappe - one of the Ballon d'Or nominees this year - has made his stance known on who this year's Ballon d'Or winner should be. Messi is his choice. He told Der Spiegel it should be Messi as "In individual terms, he was the best this year." Messi has scored 45 goals for club and country this calendar year, guiding Argentina to a third place at the Copa America, and steering FC Barcelona to another La Liga title. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have won the Ballon d'Or a joint record five times each. Should Messi win the Ballon d'Or this year, he will become the gong's most frequent ever awardee with six titles. Kylian Mbappe was fourth in the shortlist for the 2018 Ballon d'Or. He won the first edition of the Kopa Trophy - an award given to the best performing player under 21 - last year as well. The French wonderkid has scored nine goals in 12 games for Paris Saint-Germain this season.

It's no secret that Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp has a lot of admiration for Lionel Messi. However, when it comes to who deserves to win the Ballon d'Or this year, Klopp doesn't think it should be him as he believes Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk was the better performer over the year.  "If you give the Ballon d'Or to the best player of this generation then you should give it always to Lionel Messi. That's how it is," Klopp said. "But if you give it to the best player of last season, then it was Virgil van Dijk. I don't know exactly how it will work but that is how I see it. "The best player of all? That's Lionel. Best player of last season? That's Virgil. We will see." Should Van Dijk win the Ballon d'Or in December, he'll be the first defender since Fabio Cannavaro in 2006 to claim the honor. Lionel Messi last won the Ballon d'Or in 2015. Should he claim it again this year, he would be ahead of Cris...

30 footballers have been shortlisted for the Ballon d'Or award - the most prestigious individual honor in football. Last year's Ballon d'Or winner Luka Modric didn't make the cut this time. First-time nominees included the likes of Raheem Sterling, Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt, Virgil van Dijk, Georginio Wijnaldum, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dusan Tadic, Donny van de Beek, Marc-Andre ter Stergen, Bernado Silva, Heung-min Son, Kalidou Koulibaly, Joao Felix and Marquinhos. Liverpool has the most nominees - seven, with Manchester City following with five. La Liga Santander big guns Barccelona and Real Madrid have four and two nominees respectively. Herewith the complete 30-man shortlist: Ajax:  Donny van de Beek, Dusan Tadic.  Arsenal:  Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.  Atletico Madrid:  Joao Felix Barcelona:  Frenkie de Jong, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann.  Bayern Munich:  Robert Lewandowski.  Juventus...

After Virgil van Dijk thanked Liverpool fans with an end-of-season message, it was Ronaldo's turn. He took to Instagram as well, to enumerate his achievements of the year. "What an unforgettable season! New experiences, gigantic club, exciting city, broken records and three more titles! "I have to thank all of Juventus fans for the wonderful way I was welcomed in Italy! You’re a very important part of our victories! "Thanks to all my fans around the world and particularly to the Portuguese people that helped us reach another historical win for Portugal! You’ll always have a special place in my heart!" Ronaldo didn't fail to enumerate the personal milestones he surpassed this year. He signed off by saying he was counting on his supporters to spur him onto reaching greater heights. “Italian Supercup winning goal; - Serie A win, Best Player and 21 goals "Nations League win and hat-trick; "First Player to reach 100 wins and 125 goa...

Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal beat the Netherlands in the UEFA Nations League final, earning Ronaldo his second international trophy. The 34-year-old Juventus forward has earned worldwide recognition for the consistency he's displayed all through his career. "There hasn't been a period where I've played badly, the numbers speak for themselves over the last 16 years," he said. "I've shown for the majority of my career, independently of what people say, the numbers speak for themselves. "It all helps, collective and individual trophies, but I'm not obsessed by trophies," he added. "Obviously I like them, I'm not going to lie." Cristiano Ronaldo may now be in contention for the Ballon d'Or having added a third piece of silverware to his achievements this year. Messi and Virgil van Dijk are however favorites in this year's Ballon d'Or race. "I've won three trophies, I've played well, wha...

Georginio Wijnaldum has backed his club and international teammate Virgil van Dik for this year's Ballon d'Or.  On Saturday, Wijnaldum said, "He already had a good season, he is trying to stop everyone, that's the way he's playing. "For us he's the best defender in the world. If you look at his season, he definitely deserves the Ballon d'Or but it's not up to us to decide." Having scooped individual prizes such as the PFA's Premier League Player of the Year award, Van Dijk could become the first defender in 13 years to win the world's best player award. He was also named Man of the Match for the Reds’ Champions League final victory over Tottenham, and is preparing to take on his ultimate challenge of the season in Portugal, in the final of the UEFA Nations League today. The Netherlands take on Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal, who are in the finals thanks to Ronaldo's hat-trick in a 3-1 win over Switzerland on Wednesda...

2018 Ballon d'Or winner Luka Modric has criticized Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi who won the last 10 Ballon d'Or trophies for failing to attend this year's Ballon d'Or ceremony. Modric believes the duo are only interested in awards when they are the winners. Croatia captain Modric became the first player other than Ronaldo or Messi to win the Ballon d'or since Kaka in 2007. Modric was pivotal this year to both Real Madrid - who won the Champions League, and to Croatia - World Cup finalists. In an exclusive interview with Croatia's Sportske Novosti, Modric expressed his discontentment with Ronaldo and Messi's conduct. “I cannot say why someone did not attend – that’s their choice,” he said. "It turns out these choices and trophies only have value when they get them. “It is not fair to their playing colleagues, or to the voters who have nominated them for the past 10 years – nor for football or supporters. “But I repeat, everyone behaves...

According to Canal Football Club, 19-year-old wonderkid Kylian Mbappe is believed to have said  "Messi is a very exceptional player, but I still think if, I continue to work hard, I can be better than him in three or four years. Of course, I respect him very much, he is a great player."  🎙 [ @CanalFootClub ] | Mbappe: "Messi is a very exceptional player, but I still think if I continue to work hard, I can be better than him in 3 or 4 years. Of course I respect him very much, he is a great player." Is the kid dreaming too much? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/h5TtxtbWtk — BarcaTimes (@BarcaTimes) December 9, 2018 The Paris Saint-Germain forward swiftly responded to the allegation via his official Twitter account saying,"I never said that. Messi have all my respect and my admiration" Ahead of the Ballon d'Or ceremony, Mbappe told Agence France-Presse, "Nobody is doing better at the moment and we can't say it's the end of their era bec...

Monday, December 3 was a memorable night for Luka Modric, as he beat the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi to win the 2018 Ballon d'Or. Luka Modric is the first Croatian to win the prestigious award. The 33-year-old played a pivotal role captaining Croatia to second place at the 2016 World Cup in Russia. Modric also played a major role in Real Madrid's midfield as they won their third consecutive Champions League Title.  Modric is the first player to break the Messi and Ronaldo Ballon d'Or duopoly since 2007. Brazil icon Kaka was the last to lift the trophy before Ronaldo and Messi won 5 Ballon d'Or awards each across the following years. When accepting his Ballon d'Or award, Modric said,  "It's a unique feeling, I'm happy, proud and it's an honor," he said as he accepted the award. "[There are] extraordinary emotions at the moment. "I just want to thank all those who helped ...