Why I Voted For Messi

There’s never a dull moment when you’re watching a game that Lionel Messi is part of. Even the sanest of commentators let their guard down while describing the Argentinian wriggling past four, five and six defenders with alarming ease.

- Sunil Chhetri

The debate will keep raging on, but the FIFA Ballond’Or has settled matters, at least for now. Lionel Messi walked away with the prestigious gong a record fifth time earlier this month, and I had my own ‘I told you so’ moment with a voting form to back the claim, thanks to the FIFA allowing captains of national teams to have a say!

Before I dissect the reasons for my choices — I called Messi, Ronaldo and Neymar, in that order — I’d like to highlight the honour that lies in being able to have an opinion that counts while choosing the best footballer in the world. As professional as I try to be, there is that fan inside me that jumps with excitement at being able to have a say in something that involves absolute legends of a game that is my life.