Thierry Henry insists Lionel Messi should win the Ballon d’Or over Erling Haaland after leading Argentina to World Cup glory in December: ‘You can’t say it’s not deserved if he wins it’

With the winner of the Ballon d’Or to be announced at a ceremony on Monday, football personalities are wondering who deserves to take home the golden ball this year.

CBS Sports football analyst Thierry Henry named Lionel Messi as his pick on Wednesday.

“I mean a lot of people can debate that, but if you win the World Cup like he did, we can talk about what happened in the final,” the former Arsenal and France star told CBS Sports. “As a Frenchman I was a bit disappointed with how it turned out, but you can’t say it isn’t deserved if he wins.”

Henry, 46, went on to discuss why the Argentina and Inter Miami forward deserves the coveted award for his exploits at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in December.

‘Many people can argue that Man City players, Haaland and some other players can also say: “Why not me?” but you can’t say it’s not good if he wins. You have the history of moments when I think of Lewandowski, they decided to say that there would be no Ballon d’Or, but there was football. Why couldn’t that man win his Ballon d’Or?’

CBS Sports Football analyst Thierry Henry insists Messi should win the award on Monday

The striker led Argentina to victory at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar last December

Messi’s biggest rival for the award this year is 23-year-old Manchester City striker Erling Haaland.

After leaving Borussia Dortmund to join the England squad in 2022, the Norwegian phenomenon immediately became the spark of City’s attack. Haaland scored a record 52 goals for the club last season, leading City to their first treble.

Meanwhile, Messi captained Argentina towards the World Cup in Qatar, scoring seven goals, including two in the dramatic final against France. After the World Cup, Messi left Paris Saint-Germain in a record signing to join Inter Miami CF in the MLS.

Within two months, Messi led Miami to their first club trophy, winning the first Leagues Cup. He also chose his side for the US Open Cup final but lost to the Houston Dynamo.

While the 36-year-old previously won the Ballon d’Or seven times, Henry remained adamant that Messi deserves to win his eighth.

When asked directly by fellow expert Jamie Carragher who he thought should win the Ballon d’Or on Monday, Henry gave his answer short and simple.

‘For me, Messi. Bye. About.’