Ally McCoist's fury over Messi's Balón d'Or nomination fuels Oro debate
The Argentine forward Lionel Messi has re‑entered the global spotlight after France Football placed him among the thirty nominees for this year’s Ballon d’Or, marking his seventeenth appearance on the shortlist and reigniting a fierce reaction from former Rangers striker Ally McCoist.
Nomination reignites debate
France Football announced the thirty‑man shortlist, confirming Messi’s seventeenth inclusion. The Argentine captain of the Selección Argentina, now 39, is chasing a ninth Ballon d’Or, the award that recognises the season’s best player worldwide. His presence on the list has dominated headlines across the Viejo Continente.
Messi’s history with the honour is unrivalled. He has lifted the trophy eight times – in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2023 – and has been on the podium fourteen times overall. The tally leaves him three wins ahead of his closest rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, underscoring his dominance in the Ballon d’Or era. Former Rangers striker Ally McCoist voiced his displeasure. He told the host that Messi’s inclusion “has made me angry” and that “there is no way in this world that he deserves it”. When pressed, McCoist added, “Porque no lo merece”.
McCoist argued the nomination should be a tribute to the greatest of all time, not a reward for the current season’s performance. He insisted, “Sí, pero es para el jugador del año. Es el Balón de Oro, cosa que él no fue”. The ex‑forward repeated that the award should focus solely on the season’s form.
He even wrote DE on his social media post, declaring the ORO should be QUE only for the best of the year. The commentator shouted LIONEL, then MESSI, as he listed his grievances. El host asked EN what his SU concerns were, and he replied Es that the list ignored merit.
The split reaction highlights the ongoing debate about whether the Ballon d’Or should reward career greatness or season‑by‑season performance, a controversy that continues to divide opinion across the Old Continent.