Mac Allister: Ballon d'Or 'not a big deal' for Messi

Alexis Mac Allister says Lionel Messi won't be fazed by the Ballon d'Or race, even as his fellow Argentines back him for a ninth crown.

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What happened. Lionel Messi is among the nominees for this year's Ballon d'Or, with the ceremony to be held in London later this year. Argentina teammate Alexis Mac Allister said the award "isn't a big deal" for Messi.

• Messi has won the Ballon d'Or a record eight times.
• Argentina lost to Spain in the World Cup final this summer.
• Mac Allister and other Argentines are backing Messi to win.

“isn't a big deal for Lionel Messi”

— Alexis Mac Allister

Messi is not among the favourites, with Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe ahead of him in many minds.

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