Lionel Messi and the “curse” of the Ballon d’Or a year before the World Cup that Cristiano Ronaldo also suffered

The Chatelet Theater is located in the Paris District, in the heart of the city. Architectural wonder to which Lionel Messi he attended for more than a decade on a direct flight from Barcelona and of which he is now almost a neighbor. The Argentine, dressed in full dress, arrived last Monday at the venue with his family to receive his seventh Ballon d’Or which places him at the top – if possible – of football, although with a “curse” that he hopes to break in Qatar. They are seven golden balls. Seven awards that keep you away from Cristiano Ronaldo (five) and much more by Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini and Marco van Basten; all with three. Today, two days after winning the award, could have minutes against Nice for Ligue 1 after overcoming his gastroenteritis.

“It is incredible to be here again. Two years ago I said that I did not know what could happen and they asked me if I was going to retire. I really want to continue fighting for many challenges. I don’t know how much I have left, but I hope it’s a lot. I want to thank my teammates from Barza and PSG, but especially my teammates and coaches from Argentina. Many times I won this award and my thorn was stuck with the national team. This award is for what I did with Argentina. And I want to make a mention of Lewandowski, I think you have to have one in your house”said Leo, 34.

There will be a sure time to debate whether it was fair or not. An award that has different criteria to choose the best in the world each year, but which, like everything in football, is subjective and based on taste.

Lionel defined his new achievement as “different” because this time he was able to do it by winning a title with the Argentine national team. His dream, obviously, is in the next World Cup to be held in Qatar between November and December of next year. However, there is a “curse” that surrounds the winner of the Ballon d’Or one year before each World Cup. Here we tell you.

What is it about?

Since the elimination of the Italy of Omar Sívori in the group stage in Chile 62 until Argentina’s hard fall against Germany in South Africa 2010, in which Lionel Messi did not score a goal. Going through the defeat of the “Clockwork Orange” of Johan Cruyff against West Germany in 1974 and the penalty missed by Roberto Baggio in the final of the United States 94. Everyone, including Leo himself, have something in common: they came to the World Cup with a Ballon d’Or under their arms and left the tournament without pain or glory.

Johan Cruyff he reached the 1974 World Cup with two Ballons d’Or won (1971 and 1973) but the “curse” behind him. The English Billy Wright (1958), the Italians Omar Sívori (1962) and Gianni Rivera (1970), and the Portuguese Eusebio (1966) were already part of that list to which the Dutch football legend would join.

The Netherlands had everything to lift the title. It featured players of the stature of Johnny Rep, Rob Ressenbrink, Ruud Krol and Johan Neeskens, and was directed by the great Rinus Michels. In fact, they reached the final with three goals from Cruyff; however, in the definition they fell 2-1 to host West Germany.

Throughout his career, Roberto Baggio he executed 79 penalties and scored 71. One of those eight that missed cost Italy a World Cup. In the United States 94, ‘El Divino’ reached the peak of his career after winning the European Cup (today Champion) with Juventus and the Ballon d’Or in 1993.

Baggio was a figure. He scored in the round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals, giving Italy its fifth World Cup final. The rival was Brazil of Dunga, Bebeto, Romario. The game that took place at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, would become the first definition to be decided from the penalty spot. Dino was the fifth to kick and, when it was his turn, the score was 3-2. His shot went outside. The ball didn’t even touch the goal, it went well over the crossbar and gave the Scratch its fourth World Cup. That fateful criminal of July 17, 1994, will haunt Roberto Baggio for the rest of his life.

Two examples of the 15 there are. Even his own Lionel Messi, in 2010, and Cristiano Ronaldo on two occasions (2014 and 2018) suffered it. Now, the Argentine, with his seventh Ballon d’Or, will seek to proclaim himself with his team in the year of his reign in Qatar. You’ll make it?