In a revelation that has rocked the football world, Paris Saint-Germain FC (PSG) finds itself at the center of a brewing scandal involving the prestigious Ballon d'Or award and its 2021 winner, Argentine superstar Lionel Messi. Messi, who has a record eight Ballon d'Or trophies to his name, is now facing scrutiny over his seventh win due to allegations of PSG's involvement in manipulating the award's outcome.
The Ballon d'Or, presented annually by France Football in November, honors the world's best footballer based on votes from national team captains, managers, and journalists globally. While the voting process is publicized for transparency, the 2021 edition has come under fire amid accusations against PSG, where Messi had recently signed following an expected contract extension with FC Barcelona.
Reports from leading publications like Le Monde, Mediaport, and Diario AS suggest that PSG is accused of lobbying for Messi's victory. Allegedly, the club fortified connections with then France Football president Pascal Ferre, offering him PSG match tickets and a business class flight on Qatar Airways, courtesy of the Qatari government, which owns PSG. These purported efforts, costing around €8,986, are said to have been aimed at swaying the award in Messi's favor.
The controversy gains traction considering the backdrop of Messi's unexpected move to PSG. Previously, the football world anticipated Messi's continued tenure with Barcelona, under the assurances of then-president Joan Laporta. However, Barcelona's crippling billion-euro debt and La Liga's Financial Fair Play regulations thwarted these plans, leaving Messi to accept PSG's lucrative offer.
PSG, driven by Qatari backing and ambitions of European dominance, eyed Messi as a key asset in their quest for Champions League glory. Adding to the complexity, Messi's performance, including a Copa America win with Argentina, made his Ballon d'Or victory less of a surprise, despite Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski being the anticipated winner.
As the investigation unfolds, the football community awaits clarity. Pascal Ferre has denied the allegations, but the inquiry promises to delve deep into the intricacies of football politics, the influence of wealth and power in sports, and the integrity of the Ballon d'Or. Whether this will tarnish Messi's illustrious career or expose deeper issues within football remains to be seen.
