Former manager of Chelsea and AS Roma, Jose Mourinho, has weighed in on the debate surrounding whether Lionel Messi unfairly edged out Wesley Sneijder for the Ballon d’Or award in 2010.
During a recent appearance on the Vibe with Five podcast, Mourinho acknowledged Messi’s deserving victory that year but also expressed his belief that Sneijder warranted a place among the top three contenders. Notably, Mourinho was managing Inter Milan when Messi secured the Ballon d’Or over Sneijder in 2010.
Despite Sneijder’s remarkable achievements that season, including winning the Treble (Champions League, Serie A, and Italian Cup), Messi ultimately clinched the prestigious award.
“I don’t like to say robbed,” Mourinho said. “Who won it [Ballon d’Or], Messi? So not robbed.”
“But Wesley did the treble, Champions League winner, and I think the World Cup final, the same season. So Wesley should be there at least in the top three, but when, in the last generation, Cristiano [Ronaldo] and Messi, they win the Ballon d’Or, it is never robbed.”
The 2010 Ballon d’Or final power rankings saw Barcelona legends Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez join Messi in the top three as Sneijder missed out.