Marcelo Surprises with His Ballon d'Or Vote: Unwavering Loyalty to the Legends

The race for the Ballon d'Or is, year after year, one of the most debated topics in world football. However, when Marcelo, a true legend of Real Madrid and Brazilian football, was asked, his answer left many stunned and surprised by its pragmatism and, at the same time, by an unwavering loyalty to the icons of an era. Far from joining the discussion about emerging new figures, the Brazilian full-back firmly maintained his stance: the award, for him, remains a matter of Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi.

• 

  Recommended

  Europe's Green Gold: The Most Valuable National Teams on the Continent

The setting was a "legends match," where the relaxed atmosphere usually lends itself to more spontaneous declarations. A journalist approached Marcelo with the classic question of who should win the prestigious award. The Brazilian's first reaction was a counter-question with a mischievous smile: "Do you know the criterion?" An invitation to reflect on the foundations of an award that often generates controversy. To the journalist's reply, which mentioned "individual titles, collective titles," Marcelo responded with a statement that says it all: "Then that's it, whoever wins, wins." A demonstration of his direct and unvarnished view of the award, stripping it of complex debates to focus on concrete achievements.

But the real surprise came when, despite his apparent disinterest in discussing the criteria, Marcelo spoke about the specific candidates. "I don't know, Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi, both of them," he declared, making it clear that for him, the pinnacle of individual footballing achievement continues to be occupied by these two historic figures. This answer is significant, especially considering that Marcelo shared a locker room with Cristiano Ronaldo for years at Real Madrid, forging a legendary friendship and footballing connection. His choice is a tribute to a professional and personal relationship that transcends time and new generations of talent.

Marcelo's statement sharply contrasts with the current debate in football, where names like Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Vinicius Jr., or even Jude Bellingham are the protagonists of Ballon d'Or discussions. For the Brazilian, however, the level of excellence and consistency demonstrated by Cristiano and Messi for over a decade set a bar so high that it has yet to be surpassed by anyone else. His perspective reflects a profound admiration for the golden era that both stars spearheaded, an era that for many, including himself, remains the standard of greatness.

• 

  Recommended

  Cristiano Ronaldo and Jhon Duran Strike Gold: Al Nassr's New Attack is Already Delivering

In conclusion, Marcelo's stance is a powerful reminder of the indelible mark that Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have left on football. His direct and straightforward words not only surprise by their simplicity but also reinforce the idea that, for some of their generational peers, the discussion for the world's best player still revolves around them. Although football evolves and new figures emerge, for Marcelo, the essence of the Ballon d'Or remains inextricably linked to the two giants who defined an era. Information on this topic comes from various online journalistic sources.