Messi and Ronaldo are set to compete for the Golden Ball

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are predicted to continue their head-to-head rivalry in the race for the Super Golden Ball award, which is still being promoted.

According to sources from the website The Touchline, the idea of organizing the award Super Golden Ball (Super Ballon d'Or) is still being considered and developed by the magazine France Football . This special honor is expected to be awarded to the best player over the past 30 years. If the plan is approved, the award ceremony could take place in 2029, exactly 40 years after the last Super Ballon d'Or was awarded to Alfredo Di Stefano in 1989.

In the list of potential candidates for this honor, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are almost certainly considered the two most prominent names. This stems from the series of impressive achievements both have built throughout their illustrious careers.

Cristiano Ronaldo initiated the nearly two-decade-long rivalry between the two world football superstars. He won his first Golden Ball in 2008 after a stellar season with Man Utd, playing a key role in helping the English club secure its third Champions League title in history. After moving to Real Madrid, the Portuguese superstar continued to maintain peak performance and added four more Golden Ball awards to his collection in 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017.

On the other hand, Messi is seen as somewhat having the advantage in this rivalry. Although he won his first Golden Ball a year later in 2009, the Argentine superstar currently holds the record with eight awards, in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, and 2023. Additionally, the 2022 World Cup victory, the only major title Ronaldo has never won, could also become a crucial factor helping Messi gain an edge in the race for the Super Golden Ball if this award is revived.

Besides Messi and Ronaldo, other legends also have the opportunity to compete for the special award from France Football, including Ronaldo de Lima, Andriy Shevchenko, or Zinedine Zidane.

The Super Golden Ball is not merely a personal award; it is also recognition of an entire outstanding career journey and the player's immense contributions to football. Only truly great stars, possessing profound influence and leaving a deep impression on fans, have the chance to be honored with this special award.

Unlike the Golden Ball awarded annually, the Super Golden Ball has only appeared once in history, in 1989 on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the magazine's founding France Football. Therefore, many opinions suggest that this award could indeed be revived in 2029, aiming to find the second owner of this prestigious honor.