"In 2000 and 2006, [Zinedine] Zidane didn't win the Ballon d'Or because he got a red card in each year," former France and Chelsea star Frank Leboeuf has told Telefoot.
"Messi got a red card in the Spanish Super Cup for punching someone, that counts. If we didn't give it to Zizou, we shouldn't give it to Messi," he added.
Unless it's a crazy joke from Leboeuf, this is easily the weirdest Ballon d'Or claim ever.
Clearly, Zidane didn't manage to win the prize because there were players better than him - Luis Figo in 2000 and Fabio Cannavaro in 2006. Not to mention that the Frenchman missed lots of games for the Whites in 2006.
And how come should a red card diminish Messi's chances given that he picked up just 3 yellow cards in 2021?
Besides, does Leboeuf know there's a voting procedure and France Football don't just 'give' the prize to anyone?
