Dizzying statistic indispensable proceed to instrumentality a backmost spot to the unquestioned genius of Lionel Messi, Craig Foster argues, as the small Argentine claimed a record-extending seventh men's Ballon d'Or today.
With 613 points, Messi pipped Poland's insatiable striker Robert Lewandowski (580) and champion Italy midfielder Jorginho (460) to the coveted idiosyncratic award.
Lewandowski tin surely number himself unlucky aft scoring 41 goals for Bayern Munich successful Germany's apical formation and continuing his prolific ways successful internationals.
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Former Socceroos skipper Foster - a erstwhile Ballon d'Or justice - acknowledged those achievements on the latest variation of Stan Sport FC.
"Lewandowski, Jorginho and Messi, successful my view, are the three," Foster said.
"Lewandowski had an unbelievable year, broke the Bundesliga scoring record, we cognize each that and Bayern present person 102 goals successful the calendar twelvemonth which has breached the German grounds arsenic well. It's conscionable crazy.
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"But Messi besides captained Argentina to the Copa America and there's a definite sentimental essence of that. But besides the trouble of doing that arsenic well.
"The enactment that helium demonstrated by scoring cardinal goals and different things, assists.
"I'm perfectly comfy with that."
Messi present has 2 much Ballon d'Or awards than fierce rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who was sixth successful this year's voting.
The grant criteria includes idiosyncratic and squad performance, endowment and sportsmanship of the subordinate and the player's wide career.
And connected equilibrium Foster declared that the claims of Messi, present playing for Paris Saint-Germain, remained irresistible.
"There's galore criteria and 1 is besides conscionable being the best. People conscionable can't interaction you," Foster said.
"In different words, I cognize these guys person won these different trophies implicit present and truthful connected – but you arsenic players are not a spot connected this person.
"Therefore I'm voting for the champion subordinate successful the world, that is besides a criteria, and erstwhile you battalion it each up, this year, including Copa America… I utilized to beryllium a justice and I would person voted for Messi, fixed Copa America."
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