Messi capped an impressive 2020/2021 campaign for Barcelona by leading Argentina to win their first Copa America title since 1993. The trophy was the 34-year-old’s first senior international triumph for his country.
Already a winner of the Ballon d’or six times in the past, Messi scored 38 goals in all competitions for Barcelona last season, helping them to win the Copa del Rey in the process while he scored four times and provided five assists in South America’s flagship football tournament in Brazil earlier this month.
Such impressive numbers and performances have seen many tip Messi to win football’s most coveted individual honour and Koeman could not agree more.
“He is vitally important. For what he brings to the team, he’s the captain and an example," the Barca boss told the club's official website. "His goalscoring has been brilliant despite a difficult start.
"He has shown time and again he is the best in the world. I know how much he wanted to win the Copa América and he has done it at last.
"Messi is the prime candidate for the Ballon d’Or after a great season and, for me, he is the favourite.”
Messi is currently out of contract at Barcelona but is expected to sign a new deal in the coming days.
