Ballon d'Or 2021 - 'I'm sick of giving it to Lionel Messi' - Patrice Evra backs N'Golo Kante and Jorginho for award

Updated 15/10/2021 at 23:08 GMT

Both the men’s and women’s nominees for the Ballon d’Or will find out the winner on 29 November in Paris, France. Thirty men and twenty women are nominated for the respective rewards. Lionel Messi is currently the bookmakers' favourite for the award but former Manchester United player Patrice Evra "is sick" of seeing the Argentine pick up the award. Messi last won the award in 2019.

'I'm sick of giving it to Messi' - Evra backs Chelsea pair for Ballon d'Or

Image credit: Eurosport

Patrice Evra says he is “sick of giving it [the Ballon d’Or] to Messi" and has backed Chelsea pair N’Golo Kante and Jorginho for the award.

The Argentina superstar is favourite to collect a seventh Ballon d'Or at the ceremony on November 29. However, Evra insists that Chelsea duo Kante and Jorginho are more deserving recipients of the award. Kante was the driving force behind Chelsea's second Champions League win while Jorginho would go on to help Italy win Euro 2020 after that club success.

Transfers

Messi could become co-owner of Inter Miami with Beckham – Paper Round

06/04/2024 at 07:10

Messi won the player of the tournament as Argentina lifted the Copa America for the first time since 1993, and also led Barcelona to Copa del Rey success. However, Evra believes that Chelsea pair Kante and Jorginho have a stronger candidacy.

"In my opinion this Ballon d'Or is for Kante or Jorginho... I'm sick of giving it to Messi," said the former Manchester United defender.

What did he win last year? Okay, the Copa America. With Barcelona what did he do?

Messi, 34, moved to PSG over the summer and is the outright favourite to win the award, with Bayern Munich forward Robert Lewandowski the second favourite and Jorginho third.

Alexia Putellas, the current holder, is favourite to win the Ballon d'Or Feminin. The Barcelona player was key to her side's Champions League win, scoring a penalty in the final as they beat Chelsea 4-0. Sam Kerr of Chelsea and Barcelona team-mate Jennifer Hermoso, who was top scorer in Spain for the fifth season in six, are second and third favourites.