Messi and Ronaldo Not Better: Former Bayern Star Claims Ballon d’Or Injustice

In a bold declaration, former Bayern Munich star Stefan Effenberg has claimed that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, despite their numerous Ballon d'Or wins, were not necessarily better than him during his prime. Effenberg, who never won the prestigious award, argued that the Ballon d'Or often overlooks deserving players from teams outside of the usual powerhouses.

Effenberg's comments reignite the debate on the fairness of the Ballon d'Or selection process. He pointed out that during his career, players from clubs like Bayern Munich were often overshadowed by those from Barcelona and Real Madrid. Effenberg's assertion challenges the narrative that Messi and Ronaldo's dominance in the award is solely based on merit.

The former midfielder's remarks have sparked discussions among football fans and analysts, with many questioning whether the Ballon d'Or truly reflects the best player in the world each year. Effenberg's career, marked by significant achievements including a Champions League title with Bayern, lends weight to his argument about the potential biases in football's most coveted individual prize.

• Ballon d'Or
• Stefan Effenberg

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'Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were not better' - Former Bayern Munich star insists 'Ballon d'Or will forever be an injustice' after missing out on prestigious prize

2 weeks ago

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