Former Dutch footballer Sneijder believed it was “ᴜnjust” that he did not receive the individual award in 2010, despite contributing to Mourinho’s Inter winning the Champions League, Coppa Italia, and Serie A. Despite Messi only winning La Liga and experiencing Argentina’s World Cup quarter-final defeat that year, while the Netherlands finished as runners-up to Spain, the ex-Roma manager has supported the Inter Miami player.

On Rio Ferdinand’s Vibe with Five podcast, the Portuguese said: “I don’t like to ꜱаy it robbed. Who won it? Messi? So, not robbed. But Wesley did the treble, the Champions League winner, I think the World Cup final in the same season. So Wesley should be there at least in the top 3, but when in the last generation, when Cristiano [Ronaldo], Messi, they win the Ballon d’Or, it’s never гоƅƅеd.”

Though there have been debates about the legitimacy of some of Messi’s Ballon d’Or victories, notably the 2023 award when he scored fewer goals than Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland while playing in the MLS, the 36-year-old’s legacy as one of the greatest players in history is unquestionable. Ultimately, his impact on the game far surpasses any individual accolades.