Jordi Alba: The Ballon d'Or lies because Messi is the best

Believes longevity has played a part

Posted Sunday, December 09, 2018 by Marca.com

The Ballon d'Or voting returned Lionel Messi as the world's fifth best player for 2018, but Jordi Alba rubbished that process after another star turn from the Barcelona captain.

He helped lead the Blaugrana to a 4-0 derby win over Espanyol by bookending goals from Ousmane Dembele and Luis Suarez with two fantastic free-kicks.

After the game, Alba was keen to highlight once more how the awards had gotten things wrong with the Argentine ace.

"We are very happy with the win because both offensively and defensively, we were very good and delighted the win," he said.

"The Ballon d'Or is a lie though, Leo is the best in the world and that has always been the case over the last 12 or 14 years when he has been the best by far.

"There were many good years from players who were clearly very good and they deserve recognition.

"But this is an award for the best individual and not the titles won because the titles are won by teams."

The defender also kept his cards close to his chest in refusing to divulge too much about a potential new contract at the Camp Nou.

"It is all the same, it is up to my representatives, who have already contacted the club," added Alba.

"I don't want to know anything about that and focus only on the football."