erome Rothen Criticizes Messi’s Changed Behavior Post-World Cup Win and Questions Ballon d’Or Selection

Lionel Messi finds himself in the spotlight for his recent confrontations while playing for Argentina, and ex-PSG player Jerome Rothen has some strong opinions on the matter. Rothen claims that Messi’s behavior has evolved since winning the World Cup, asserting that his true personality is emerging.

In an interview with RMC, Rothen remarked, “Now that he is a world champion and has had a good rest ahead of the World Cup since two years ago at PSG. He used to have the image of a sweet guy, but now he has changed because his true personality is coming out and he got caught.”

Rothen criticized Messi’s reactions on the field, stating, “Today you can’t even touch him anymore. Only when he takes a hit does he make the same comment he made to Rodrygo when he said, ‘Hey, I’m a world champion’. The team reflects an image of Argentines. Argentine nationality is like that and you feel superior because of someone else. They could have more class.”

Messi was involved in altercations defending his teammates against insults in matches against Brazil and Uruguay, showcasing a shift in his on-field demeanor as the team’s captain.

However, Rothen’s perspective on Messi took an unexpected turn when he voiced support for Erling Haaland as the deserving Ballon d’Or winner. Rothen argued, “It’s shameful! Of course, it’s shameful! For me, Haaland should have won it. Between August 2022 and June 2023, what criteria lead us to believe that Messi is better than the rest?”

Rothen questioned the criteria for Messi’s Ballon d’Or win, pointing out Haaland’s achievements with Manchester City and emphasizing that the World Cup victory alone doesn’t justify Messi’s claim to the top spot. The critique adds another layer to the ongoing debate surrounding individual awards in football.