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Argentine legend Angel Di Maria has defended Lionel Messi after his compatriot won the 2023 Ballo d'Or.
Angel Di Maria has responded to Germany legend Lothar Matthaus after the latter insisted Lionel Messi did not deserve to win the 2023 Ballon d'Or.
Messi won his record-extending 8th Ballon d'Or in Paris on October 30, finishing ahead of second-placed Erling Haaland, and third-placed Kylian Mbappe.
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Di Maria mocks Matthaus for Messi comments
In the aftermath of the award ceremony, Matthaus stated that Haaland deserved to win the Ballon d'Or ahead of Messi.
He told Sky Sports Germany (Football Italia):
"Haaland did better than Messi for the entire year. This award is not deserved and it proves that the World Cup counts more than everything. To me, nobody was better than Haaland.
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He was the best in the last 12 months. He won important titles with Manchester City, setting a record for goals. It was a farce."
Di Maria, who was a vital part of Argentina's 2022 FIFA World Cup triumph, took to social media to respond to Matthaus', commenting on a Diario Ole post on Instagram, writing:
Cry somewhere else 😂
Messi was the best player at the World Cup in Qatar, finishing with 7 goals and 3 assists as Argentina were crowned champions.
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