Luka Modric winning the Ballon d’or ahead of Lionel Messi an ‘absurdity’, says Barcelona head coach Ernesto Valverde

Luka Modric winning the Ballon d’or ahead of Lionel Messi an ‘absurdity’, says Barcelona head coach Ernesto Valverde
Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde claims it was an ‘absurdity’ Lionel Messi finished fifth in this year’s voting for the Ballon d’Or.Five-time winner Messi was out of the top three for the first time since 2006 as Croatia and Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric took top honours.2

Messi was outside of the top three for the Ballon d’Or since 2006

Asked about Messi’s lowly placing ahead of Barcelona’s Copa del Rey last-32 second-leg clash at home to Cultural Leonesa on Wednesday, Valverde told www.marca.com: “I will not enter into discussions about the value of a prize or not.“We congratulate Modric for the Ballon d’Or, but Messi in fifth place is an absurdity.”Messi is set to be among a number of star names rested at the Camp Nou as Barcelona look to progress, having edged a 1-0 success in the first leg.“It is good to point out that these games are difficult because you have things to lose,” Valverde added.2

Valverde backed his captain after the result

“It’s a meaningful match for Cultural, but they have dropped off a bit in their league.“These are difficult games, but we hope to give our supporters a victory.”

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Lionel Messi's fifth-place finish in this year's Ballon d'Or vote was absurd, his FC Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde said of the Spanish champions' Argentina forward on Tuesday. Real Madrid's Croatia midfielder Luka Modric took the prize Monday in Paris after winning the UEFA Champions
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Lionel Messi deserved more than fifth in Ballon d'Or - Ernesto Valverde Barcelona are set to show a number of changes for the Copa del Rey visit of Cultural Leonesa.
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Luka Modric winning the Ballon d'or ahead of Lionel Messi an

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Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde says it was an "absurdity" that Lionel Messi finished fifth in this year's voting for the Ballon d'Or. Five-time winner Messi was out of the running this time around as Croatia and Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric took top honours.
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Barcelona head coach Ernesto Valverde has described Lionel Messi's fifth-place finish in the Ballon d'Or vote as "absurd".. Messi is a five-time winner of the prize and shared the previous 10 with
Lionel Messi Ballon d'Or: Barcelona star coming fifth is

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Barcelona head coach Ernesto Valverde has described Lionel Messi's fifth-place finish in the Ballon d'Or vote as "absurd". Messi is a five-time winner of the prize and shared the previous 10 with
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More Messi magic seals Barcelona victory at PSV. More Messi magic seals Barcelona victory at PSV MADRID (Reuters) - Lionel Messi ' s fifth - place finish in this year's Ballon d ' Or vote was absurd , Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde said The Barca No. 10 also won a record fifth European Golden Shoe after finishing with 34 top-flight goals last season.
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Barcelona head coach Ernesto Valverde has described Lionel Messi's fifth-place finish in the Ballon d'Or vote as "absurd". Messi is a five-time winner of the prize and shared the previous 10 with
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Luka Modric winning the Ballon d'or ahead of Lionel Messi an 'absurdity', says Barcelona head coach Ernesto Valverde The five-time winner of the prestigious award missed out on a place in
Lionel Messi deserved more than fifth in Ballon d'Or

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Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde is shocked that Lionel Messi is not set to feature on the Ballon d'Or podium for the first time since 2006. France Football will announce 2018's winner of the
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