Scandal in France! This Saturday, January 6, the French media Mediapart and Le Monde published an ongoing judicial investigation against the President of the PSG, Nasser Al-Khelaifi. According to the information, the Paris team is said to have urged the renowned magazine France Football to do so Lionel Messi will win the Ballon d'Or in 2021. As we remember, “Leo” won his seventh trophy in this edition ahead of Robert Lewandowski.
According to the research Pascal Ferre, former editor-in-chief of France Football and L'Équipe, had an interesting connection with PSG and Qatar at the time. Ferré, who served from 2015 to January 2023, received some gifts and paid trips during his tenure at the aforementioned magazine.
YOU CAN SEE: A university student would choose Emelec's attacking midfielder at the request of Fabián Bustos, it was announced from Ecuador
The former France Football employee was the one who organized the Ballon d'Or ceremony in 2019 and 2021 and controlled the voting and awarding process. Following his departure in 2023, Ferré currently works as director of press and media relations in PSG's first team.
Another character involved in this case is Jean Martial Ribes, former PSG communications director who is being investigated for corruption, influence peddling and five other crimes. Jean-Martial Ribes was one of the main people responsible for collaborating with Pascal Ferré during the organization phase of this edition of the Ballon d'Or.
How many Ballon d'Ors does Lionel Messi have?
To date, the Argentine star has won eight Ballon d'Ors and is the top winner: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2023.