Ballon d’Or

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      in Soccer

      Thibaut Courtois opens up on his Ballon d’Or chances after Real Madrid goalkeeper’s heroics in Champions League final

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      THIBAUT COURTOIS has little hope of winning the Ballon d’Or due to it being ‘impossible’ to win for a goalkeeper. The Real Madrid shot-stopper pulled out a number of amazing saves to help Madrid lift the Champions League against Liverpool on Saturday.
      Courtois lifts the Champions League for the first time in his careerCredit: Getty
      However, despite his man-of-the-match performance, Courtois revealed he believed he had no chance of winning a Ballon d’Or – citing Karim Benzema as one of the reasons it wouldn’t be possible.
      He said to Tuttomercato: “It is impossible for a goalkeeper to win it, even more so if he plays in a team with Benzema.
      “I can go far, but it is difficult to win this trophy.
      “For me, what matters is the fact that when I returned to the locker room, all my teammates were screaming my name. This is worth more than personal recognition.”
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Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Read More on 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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}COURT OUT .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Courtois inspired into CL heroics after being upset by top ten keepers omission
      Historically speaking, Courtois is quite accurate in his assessment.
      The only goalkeeper to have won the Ballon d’Or award was Lev Yashin in 1963, while more recently Bayern Munich sweeper-keeper Manuel Neuer came third in 2014.
      Benzema himself has also been in inspired form this season, netting 44 goals and 15 assists in 46 games, including 10 goals in seven games during the knockout stages of the Champions League.
      But one thing which is for certain is without Courtois’ heroics the LaLiga champions would not have earned their 14th Champions League trophy.
      The former Chelsea goalkeeper made nine saves in the final to deny Liverpool a breakthrough – the most since records began in 2003/04.
      The 30-year-old also broke the record for most saves across a single Champions League campaign with 59.
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      This all came as Liverpool mustered an incredible 24 shots – the most a team has had without scoring in a final.
      Mohamed Salah’s six shot’s on target were also the most made by a single player in the final since records began (2003/04).
      All these accolades and figures only serve to further highlight Courtois’ importance to the outcome of the final.
      It also gives weight to his argument that he isn’t given enough respect, after an English magazine published a list of the top 10 goalkeepers in the world which omitted Courtois.
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      Vinicius Junior’s second-half strike ultimately won the game for Madrid as he snuck in behind Trent Alexander-Arnold for a far-post tap-in from Federico Valverde’s driven cross.
      The goal – paired with Courtois heroics – won Madrid their 14th Champions League overall and their fifth in the last nine seasons. More

    • 238 Shares119 Views

      in Soccer

      Neymar shares list of his trophies in furious response to ex-Liverpool star Aurelio for ‘talking s***’ about Ballon d’Or

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      NEYMAR hit back at Fabio Aurelio after the former Liverpool star questioned the Brazilian’s failure to win the Ballon d’Or.Aurelio said it feels wrong that Neymar has failed to win football’s biggest award.
      Neymar was not happy with Fabio Aurelio’s criticismCredit: AFP
      Neymar laughed at Aurelio after the former defender questioned why he has failed to win the Ballon d’OrCredit: Instagram @neymarjr
      Neymar then shared a list of all the team and individual trophies he has wonCredit: Instagram @neymarjr
      He even said he would be disappointed if he was Neymar, prompting an emotional response from the Paris Saint-Germain star.
      He posted a video on social media saying: “I’m sick of these former players who only open their mouths to talk s***.
      “Five minutes of interview and he just started talking about the lives of others. If you want to criticise, criticise.
      “But talking bulls*** like that is not possible.”
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      Neymar then took to Instagram to shared a list of all the trophies he has won in his career.
      The list showed both individual awards as well as the silverware he has won with PSG, Barcelona and Brazil.
      Alongside a screenshot of his career success Neymar wrote a caption saying: “I’m really disappointed wow. And I haven’t even put it all yet.”
      Aurelio suggested Neymar has not lived up to his ability and hinted at distractions off the pitch preventing the forward reaching his potential.
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      In an interview with GOAL he said: “I always say that I would be very disappointed if I was him.
      “The ambitions he has, and for the quality and talent he has, the fact that he has never won a Ballon d’Or feels wrong.
      “He has all the conditions to do it, but I don’t know what has happened. Maybe some things are more important to him than the game, I don’t know?
      “You see [Cristiano] Ronaldo, [Lionel] Messi, they were there at the top level for 10 or 15 years, and you never heard about problems away from the pitch, but Neymar is always involved in things like this.
      “He needs to stay away from those things, because he is capable of amazing things. Maybe now, the age he is, if you don’t look after yourself, it can come back and haunt you.” More

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      ‘They should be engraving his name’ – Ferdinand says Karim Benzema is a shoo-in for Ballon d’Or after Chelsea hat-trick

      by

      FORMER Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has claimed Karim Benzema should be the favourite for the Ballon d’Or, insisting he is ‘the best No9 on the planet’.Ferdinand, who was covering last night’s quarter-final tie between Chelsea and Real Madrid for BT Sport, was left in awe at the 34-year-old’s performance.
      Benzema was far too good for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last nightCredit: Getty
      He said: “He is phenomenal, he is impacting the game in so many different areas, not just goals, assists, link-up play and slowing the game down.
      “That sounds like a playmaker, but that’s a No9 that has scored 37 goals.”
      The France international was in sparkling form again last night, following up his hat-trick against PSG in the last round with another three goals at Stamford Bridge.
      And while a shocking mistake from Edouard Mendy gifted his final goal, Benzema’s first-half brace was outstanding, with two very different but equally brilliant headers.
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      The instinctive goals he provided at Stamford Bridge are just another arrow in the Frenchman’s bow, who has developed into Madrid’s most valuable asset since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo.
      Ferdinand claimed: “He is the talisman, he is the leader now, and he has stepped out of the shadows of Cristiano Ronaldo.
      “An absolute complete forward and it was a masterclass from him.”
      Since 2008, only Luka Modric has once denied either Ronaldo or Lionel Messi from winning the Ballon d’Or, following his standout year for club and country in 2018.
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      However, with both falling short of their best this campaign, the door is open for a new name on the trophy.
      Last year’s runner up Robert Lewandowski has enjoyed another outstanding season with 45 goals in 39 games for Bayern Munich.
      Elsewhere, Benzema’s international teammate Kylian Mbappe has recovered from a slow opening to the campaign to dazzle for PSG in 2022.
      However, as Ferdinand says, 37 goals in 36 games, as well as single-handedly firing his side to runaway leader status in Spain and a potential Champions League semi-final make it difficult to look past Madrid’s No9. More

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      in Soccer

      Ballon d’Or to undergo revamp with FOUR major changes in judging after Lionel Messi’s controversial seventh win

      by

      FRANCE FOOTBALL have announced FOUR key major changes for the voting process in future Ballon d’Ors.Lionel Messi controversially collected the coveted trophy back in November for the seventh time.
      Lionel Messi controversially lifted the 2021 Ballon d’OrCredit: EPA
      The Barcelona legend and now Paris Saint-Germain forward pipped Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski and Chelsea midfielder Jorginho to the award.
      He received it after helping Barca to the Copa del Rey and Argentina to Copa America success.
      France Football also introduced the Ballon d’Or Feminin back in 2018.
      And the 2021 award went to Barcelona star Alexia Putellas.
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      Both awards – as well as the Kopa Trophy for the best player under 21 and the Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper – are voted for captains, coaches and journalists.
      The Ballon d’Or has been running since 1956 – but now organisers have decided to make some changes.
      The changes will come into effect straight away starting with the 2022 accolade.
      And here, as per France Football, are the alterations:
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      A change from judging by years to by seasons: decisions will now be based on performances between the traditional season of August and July, rather than calendar years, which used to combine two half-campaigns.
      A change in who puts together the shortlists: Ballon d’Or ambassador Didier Drogba and the journalists who came closer to getting the last year’s results right will be involved in choosing the shortlisted candidates, which runs to 30 for the main award and 20 for the young player and goalkeeper trophy.
      A change in the number of people able to vote: last year saw representatives from 170 countries take part in the process, but from now on only the top 100 countries in the FIFA rankings – and the top 50 for women’s football – will be able to vote.
      A slight tweak to the criteria: as it’s an individual award, voters are being instructed to focus on the players’ individual performances over collective achievements, with fair play and setting a good example also counting towards the overall weighting.

      It remains to be seen what the changes will mean and we are unlikely to see the difference until the process kicks into gear later this year. More

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      ‘I’m not jealous of them’ – Mario Balotelli insists he is just as good as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

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      MARIO BALOTELLI has claimed that he was just as good as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in his prime.The 31-year-old has had a glittering career, winning the Champions League and three Serie A titles with Inter Milan.
      Balotelli has said that he is ‘100 per cent sure’ that he had the same level of quality as Messi and RonaldoCredit: Getty
      He also won the Premier League and an FA Cup during his spell at Manchester City.
      Balotelli himself believes that he was just as good as Messi and Ronaldo and suggests that he could have won a Ballon d’Or.
      In an interview with The Athletic, he said: “I missed some chances to be at that level, but I am 100 per cent sure that my quality is the same level as these people, but I… I missed some chances, you know? It happens.
      “And nowadays, I cannot say I’m as good as Ronaldo, because Ronaldo won how many golden balls (Ballons d’Or)? Five?
      “You cannot compare yourself to Messi and Ronaldo, nobody can.
      “But if we’re talking about only quality, football quality, I have nothing to be jealous of them, to be honest.”
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      The striker provided Man City fans with some unforgettable moments during his three-year stint at the club.
      He was the man to assist Sergio Aguero’s last minute goal against QPR in 2012 which secured the Sky Blues’ first Premier League title.
      But, in the interview he admitted that his biggest career regret was leaving the club in 2013.
      He added: “I think that was my biggest mistake, to leave City.
      “Even in the year when I left, I played very well in Milan for a year and a half, but after that, I had some problems.
      “And now that I’m older, I know that I shouldn’t have left City at that time.
      “All these years seeing City improving, improving and improving.
      “I could have been here like Sergio Aguero for a long time.”
      Balotelli currently plays for Turkish Super League side Adama Demirspor.
      He has registered 11 goals and five assists in 25 games this season.
      Balotelli regrets leaving Man City when he didCredit: Action Images – Reuters More

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      ‘Overlooked for Ballon d’Or’ – Chelsea legend Joe Cole names N’Golo Kante as Premier League player of season so far

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      N’GOLO KANTE’S one of the best midfielders ever – even though he was overlooked for the prestigious Ballon d’Or, Joe Cole reckons.Kante finished fifth in the rankings for the golden accolade behind Blues team-mate Jorginho who attained third spot – behind the winner of the award for the seventh time Lionel Messi.
      Kante’s one of the best midfielders ever in the eyes of Joe ColeCredit: Instagram
      Cole reckons Kante’s overlooked because he’s not as flashy as some playersCredit: BT Sport
      N’Golo Kante’s been the heart of the Blues team ever since he joinedCredit: Getty
      But the Ballon d’Or result didn’t sit well with Blues legend Cole who claimed that Kante’s one of the best midfielders he’s ever seen in action.
      According to Cole, Kante’s greatness is overlooked because fans of the game tend to focus on players who light up the pitch with their dazzling skills and fancy goals while the French ace pulls the strings quietly.
      But Cole believes the 30-year-old’s impact on the teams he’s played for has been outstanding over the years.
      The 30-year-old French ace was instrumental in Chelsea’s Champions League triumph last season despite being injured for a long period of the campaign.
      Which is why Cole chose Kante over his Blues pal Jorginho when asked who his best Premier League player pick of 2021 was by bookmakers Coral.
      Jorginho won the European Footballer of the Year award following an impressive season for the Blues, but Cole thinks Kante outshone his colleague when they played in similar roles.
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      And although he missed out on the Ballon d’Or, Kante will be compensated with a hoard of trophies before he retires – including the World Cup, Cole thinks.
      Speaking in his latest vlog with Coral, Cole explained: “I’m going to go with a Chelsea player, having won the Champions League, and say N’Golo Kante. He was overlooked for the Ballon d’Or.
      “I’ve watched him week in, week out and his influence on the team is outstanding.
      “He has missed large chunks of the season through injury and he has been missed. When he has played, he has been outstanding.
      “The run up to the Champions League last season, from the quarter-finals onwards, six out of seven games, including the final, he was the Man of the Match.
      “Our eyes are always drawn towards the goalscorers and the technicians, but the influence that man has on his teams, is incredible.
      “He’ll finish his career with a bucket load of trophies, including the World Cup, and I think he’s probably one of the most outstanding midfielders ever seen. And he got overlooked for the player of the year awards.
      “When we talk Jorginho, he won the European Footballer of the Year and obviously had a great season as well. But N’Golo Kante, I feel he actually outperformed him in similar positions.”
      Cole’s not the only ex-Blue who thinks Kante’s underappreciated for the work he puts in.
      Blues icon John Terry insisted that Kante should win the Ballon d’Or before the winner was chosen last November.
      He said: “I’d love to go see him win the Ballon d’Or or get the appreciation that I feel he deserves.”
      Terry even claimed that Kante was like a whole team rolled into one, adding: “Kante’s like 11 players on his own.
      “What he does, he goes so under the radar. He is such a top-class player.” More

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      UFC legend Khabib snubs Lionel Messi as Cristiano Ronaldo’s pal picks two players he says should have won Ballon d’Or

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      KHABIB NURMAGOMEDOV picked Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema as his most deserving of the Ballon d’Or award. Lionel Messi, 34, pipped UFC legend Nurmagomedov’s close friend Cristiano Ronaldo, 36, to the prize.
      UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov pictured with Cristiano RonaldoCredit: Instagram / @khabib_nurmagomedov
      But several believed Bayern Munich’s Lewandowski, 33, was hard done by having been overlooked in the competition.
      The Pole came second, with Chelsea’s Jorginho, 29, third and Real Madrid’s Benzema, 33, in fourth.
      Football-mad Khabib said: “I would give it to Lewandowski or Benzema. One of them. 
      “Lewandowski, I think. Last three years, he is the best football player.
      “We can just look at his results. What he does. He has won the Champions League. He has scored more than 120 goals last two years.
      “For the national team and club. It is an amazing result.
      @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Sport .css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
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      “For the entire football history, I cannot remember, we can name a pair of players who scored 120 goals over two years.
      “He has 65 goals this year. It is too much. For football I think it is too much. I think he deserves Ballon d’Or.”
      Nurmagomedov, 33, retired in October 2020, right after beating Justin Gaethje, also 33.
      It was his first and only fight without his influential father and coach Abdulmanap, who passed away in July of last year.
      Khabib vowed never to continue without his dad and has since retired to focus on coaching.
      But rumours circulated that the former UFC champion, who speaks regularly to Manchester United’s Ronaldo, was starting a footballing career.
      He even received an offer from Russian third tier football side FC Kamaz, which was not taken up.
      PSG’s Lionel Messi won the Ballon d’OrCredit: Getty More

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      in Soccer

      Lionel Messi’s dad hits back at son’s critics after seventh Ballon d’Or with Cristiano Ronaldo among unhappy stars

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      LIONEL MESSI’S dad has hit back at those who claim his son did not deserve to win the Ballon d’Or.The 34-year-old Argentine claimed the award for a record-extending SEVENTH time on Monday night following his Copa America glory with the national team in the summer and another stellar individual season for Barcelona.
      Messi won an incredible seventh Ballon d’Or earlier this weekCredit: EPA
      Messi’s dad has celebrated his son’s historic achievementCredit: EPA
      Messi netted 38 times in 44 games for the Catalan giants and then led the Argentina national team to their first major trophy in 28 years.
      But some felt the iconic footballer did not deserve the award and that it should have gone to Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski instead.
      The Polish talisman missed out on the 2020 award after the coronavirus pandemic led to the ceremony being cancelled.
      He was hoping to secure it in 2021 following a sensational season saw him net 48 goals in 40 games.
      But he was forced to settle for second place behind Messi and ahead of Jorginho, Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante.
      The likes of Thomas Muller, Toni Kroos, Iker Casillas and Cristiano Ronaldo came out against awarding Messi the gong.

      The Argentine’s dad Jorge Messi responded with an Instagram picture of his son holding the Ballon d’Or alongside a caption which translated as: “Bla, bla, bla…continue.”
      Germany and Real Madrid midfielder Kroos was adamant his team-mate Benzema, who finished fourth, should have taken home the award.
      He said: “For me, if they were really looking for the best player of the year, Benzema should have been number one because I see up close how exceptional he is.
      “There is no doubt that Messi is alongside Cristiano Ronaldo as player of the decade and has qualities that others will never have.
      “What fails in the election is, above all, the first place.”
      And ex-Real keeper Casillas spoke on Twitter, adding: “It is increasingly difficult for me to believe in this football award.
      “For me, Messi, he is one of the five best players in all of history, but you have to begin to know how to catalogue who are the most prominent at the end of a season.
      “It’s not that hard, damn it! Others make it difficult!”
      Meanwhile, Ronaldo liked a post that said Messi had stolen the award.
      But Messi was in agreement with those who felt he should not have won the award, telling Lewandowski he at least deserves the accolade from 2020.
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      In his acceptance speech, Messi said: “I would like to mention Robert Lewandowski, it’s been a real honour to compete with you.
      “Everyone knows and we agree that you were the winner last year.
      “I think France Football should award you your 2020 Ballon d’Or – you deserve it and you should have it at home.” More