Cuti Romero held nothing back. 🗣️
Following Atlético Madrid’s 2-1 victory over Real Madrid in the derby, the 28-year-old defender spoke to ESPN and was direct: “The Ballon d’Or should go to Leo Messi. Until he retires, that’s clear”. He called him his childhood idol and “the greatest of all time”.
But Romero went further. He warned that when Messi hangs up his boots, the award will no longer be measured by pure performance and will begin to be decided by the “marketing power” of the candidates. Days earlier, Diego Simeone had already publicly endorsed the same candidacy.
The ceremony will be held on October 26 in London. Messi already has eight Ballon d’Ors in his trophy cabinet, more than anyone in history. Will they give him his ninth, or let the debate play out?