UEFA President Michel Platini is convinced Barcelona star Lionel Messi will beat his record of three Ballon d’Or wins.
Platini, a former Juventus midfielder, won the Golden Ball three times during his career, as did Dutchmen Marco van Basten and Johan Cruyff.
Messi has also received the prestigious award three times but is the favourite for this year’s edition and is still only 25.
“I’m sure he will surpass the record,” the Frenchman told journalists at UEFA headquarters in Nyon. “I don’t whether it will be this year or next, but he will get the fourth and overtake Cruyff, Van Basten and me.”
Platini then explained the reasoning behind his plan to hold Euro 2020 in cities across Europe as opposed to one host nation.
“It was an idea I had, and although it’s a little crazy, it’s wonderful. We’re bringing the Euro to the fans, instead of the fans coming to the Euro. Organising these tournaments is very expensive, constructing stadiums etc. Sometimes we make decisions that help those in need.”
