Cristian Romero, defender of Atletico Madrid and the Argentina national team, declared his opinion on the Ballon d'Or during an interview on the podcast "Los Edul". According to the player, the award ceremony is now "a question of marketing" and he expressed his preference for Lionel Messi, who took fifth place in this year's ranking.
During the chat, Romero emphasized that the award is no longer based solely on on-field performance, but that visibility and marketing play a dominant role. “What Leo did I didn't see anyone do,” he said, pointing to how Messi has managed to stand out for his ability to attract the attention of the media and fans. When he was asked who he would vote for, the answer was immediate: "To Messi. I would have given it to Messi."
The interviewee then spoke about the conspiracy theories that emerged after Argentina's defeat in the World Cup final against Spain. "Nothing happened in the final. Social networks put out this nonsense and it goes viral," he said, referring to speculation suggesting a fraudulent move. Romero reiterated that Spain played well and that the Argentine team arrived at the final tired, underlining the physical toll that the competition had on his body and that of his teammates.
Romero's comment comes at a time when Atletico Madrid is in full preparation for next season, while the Argentine national team prepares for new tournaments. The defender showed a balanced attitude, recognizing the value of the award but at the same time highlighting the need to review the evaluation criteria. With the season underway, his opinion on the Ballon d'Or could influence discussions among fans and critics as Atletico continue to consolidate their position in La Liga.