Medhi Benatia and Samir Nasri criticize Lionel Messi's Ballon d'Or ranking

Former footballers Medhi Benatia and Samir Nasri have expressed strong criticism regarding Lionel Messi's fifth-place finish in the recent Ballon d'Or voting.

During a vidcast, Benatia questioned the basis of the ranking, sarcastically suggesting that Messi's position was only secured due to his performance during the three weeks of the World Cup, noting that he has spent nine months playing in Miami. Nasri was even more critical, stating that in his opinion, Messi should not have placed within the top ten at all.