You Party Too Much To Win Ballon d’Or – President Lula Chides Brazilian Players
- Praises Messi as role model
BY VICTOR OSOWOCHI – Brazil President Lula has blamed the outrageous partying culture of most Brazilian players for their inability to compete successfully for the annual Ballon d’Or title over the years.
Therefore, he has tasked players from his country to follow the example of Argentine football icon, Lionel Messi if they want to win the footballers grandiose prize on the world stage.
Ignoring the longstanding football rivalry between Brazil and Argentina to praise Messi, President Lula urged Brazilian players to make the Inter Miami superstar their role model in terms of commitment and dedication to his profession and the longevity it produces.
According to him; “Messi should serve as an example to Brazilian players”, adding; “The 36-year-old guy, world champion, with the Ballon d’Or and everything.
“Messi needs to be an inspiration of dedication for these kids. Anyone who wants to win the Ballon d’Or has to dedicate themselves, they have to be professional.
“It doesn’t go with partying, it doesn’t go with frequent night outs.”
President Lula spoke against the backdrop of Messi being widely known for his unassuming and quiet off-field lifestyle, while making headlines for football and little else.
Meanwhile, no Brazilian footballer has won the Ballon d’Or since Kaka in 2007. Injury-prone Neymar is the one who has come closest in recent years, finishing third in both 2015 and 2017 editions of the award.
However, at 31, and now sidelined with an ACL injury, Neymar’s chance of breaking the drought is likely gone for good
For Messi, retirement from the ball game does not seems to be in sight and interestingly, he has nothing to say about it for now.
Though he now doesn’t expect to win another Ballon d’Or, the 36-year-old Argentine captain has no intention of hanging up his boots any time soon:
Hear him; “I want to play for a very long time. We’ll have to see how I feel physically. I can’t give a date. Things change from one day to the next. But I hope it will last a very long time.” – With Goal.com
