Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy noticeLionel Messi has been told he is the "prime candidate" to win the Ballon d'Or following his Copa America heroics. And he has been backed by club boss Ronald Koeman to add to his record six Ballon d'Or prizes later this year. Messi scored four goals to fire Argentina to Copa America glory, having fired 38 in all competitions last term as Barca won the Copa del Rey but finished third in La Liga. Messi won the Olympics with Argentina in 2008 - and this summer Koeman will lose Pedri to the Games after the 18-year-old starred for Spain at Euro 2020. (Image: AFP via Getty Images)Nevertheless, the Barca boss is expecting big things from the teenager next term.

Source: Daily Mirror July 19, 2021 06:00 UTC