'If Lionel Messi Played At Roma For 25 Years, He Wouldn't Win A Single Ballon d’Or', Feels Italy Icon Francesco Totti
Roma legend Totti opined that the Argentine genius might not have won a single Ballon d’Or if he had solely played for the Italian Capital City club.
Roma loyalist and Italian legend Francesco Totti has made a scathing claim about Lionel Messi. The forward who spent his entire professional career at one club, AS Roma after making his senior team debut for the Serie A outfit at the age of 16, in a league fixture against Brescia in 1993. A gifted creative playmaker, Totti struck 250 goals and provided 205 assists in his 785 appearances for AS Roma across all competitions. He bid an emotional goodbye to his childhood club in May 2017 in front of 70,000 home fans at the Stadio Olimpico.
Despite being one of the best talents of his generation, Totti was never able to win the coveted Ballon d’Or. Meanwhile, Messi has secured the individual award as many as eight times during his illustrious career spanning over two decades. Seven of them came during his 21-year-long spell at Barcelona. He was last conferred with the honour in 2023 after fulfilling his World Cup dream with Argentina.
related stories
Totti shelled out a shocking remark regarding Messi’s Ballon d’Or dominance in a recent chat with another Italy legend, Antonio Cassano, on the ‘Viva el Futbol Podcast’. Totti doubted the Argentine superstar might not win a single Ballon d’Or if he had solely played for AS Roma.
“Put Messi at Roma for 25 years. 25 years, and tell me how many Ballon d’Ors he would win. Would he win ten Ballon d’Or? Do you know how many he would win? Zero. How was I supposed to?" Totti said, as quoted by beIN Sports.
Totti was fifth in the Ballon d’Or rankings in 2001 when Liverpool’s Michael Owen finished atop the podium. The Roma legend, however, remains unfazed about that close miss. He insisted that winning trophies with his club had always been his utmost priority.
“I don’t need that award (Ballon d’Or). I won everything with Roma in 25 years, that’s my victory. I don’t regret anything," Totti revealed during the conversation with Cassano.
Apart from being the leading Ballon d’Or winner, Messi also remains the most decorated footballer in history with 46 team trophies. The 37-year-old is currently plying his trade at the Major League Soccer (MLS), representing David Beckham-co-owned Inter Miami.
- Location :
- First Published: