Former Barcelona midfielder Arturo Vidal has explained what legendary Argentine forward Lionel Messi must do to win the Ballon d’Or. The Chilean believes La Pulga will have to win the ongoing Copa America tournament if he intends to claim the award for the ninth time.
The 37-year-old Vidal currently turns out for Colo-Colo in his native Chile where he has played 41 times, scoring nine times and assisting one goal. Messi currently dazzles in Miami with Inter Miami, scoring 14 and assisting 11 in 15 games.
The duo played together at Barcelona between 2018 and 2020, with Vidal making 96 appearances for Blaugrana while Messi was on the team.
Speaking during an interview with streamer Davo Xeneize, Vidal said Jude Bellingham was the favorite to claim the Ballon d’Or, but told Lionel Messi how he could claim the prize, saying:
“I like Jude Bellingham a lot, he scores goals, he takes the ball, he does a lot of things like me, I identify with him. For Real Madrid, Jude was the best. He has to play well in the EUROs otherwise he will lose the Ballon d’Or. If Leo Messi wins the Copa America, he can get back in the race.”
The Colo-Colo midfielder is not a part of his nation’s team for Copa America but hopes to add to his 142 appearances and 34 goals for Chile in the future.