S8 Ep17: The biggest Ballon d'Or robberies this century

Squawka Predictor

The latest episode of the Squawka Talker podcast looks at a controversial Ballon d'Or Award in 2021 and some of the biggest 'Ballon d'Or robberies since 2000'.
Host Feargal Brennan is joined by Squawka's chief football writer Muhammad Butt and freelance football journalist and broadcaster Mo Stewart to run the rule over Lionel Messi's seventh Ballon d'Or, ahead of Robert Lewandowski, amid a social media storm over the vote.
The guys ask what comes next for the award after the most controversial decision in recent years? Is there a need for change and more consistency over the voting criteria for it to survive?
Alongside the 2021 award, and what it means for the future, the team also look back at some of the biggest 'Ballon d'Or steals' in recent seasons.
Thierry Henry coming second to Pavel Nedved in 2003, treble winning Inter Milan star Wesley Sneijder losing out to Messi in 2010 and plenty more close calls from the most prestigious individual honour in football.