A SRI LANKAN journalist has left fans in hysterics after bizarrely picking Trent Alexander-Arnold to win the Ballon d’Or – while snubbing Lionel Messi.
Barcelona superstar Messi, 32, claimed his record sixth title at the bash in Paris last night.
1
It was close, though, with Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk beaten into second by just seven votes with an absent Cristiano Ronaldo way down in third.
But according to Hafiz Marikar of Sri Lanka’s Daily News, Van Dijk’s team-mate Alexander-Arnold should have scooped the prize.
Amazingly, he didn’t include any of the top three in his list of five, instead going for Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in second and Barca’s Antoine Griezmann in third.
He also opted for Bayern Munich hitman Robert Lewandowski in fourth and Nou Camp keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen in fifth.
Lewandowski – who came eighth – was the only one of Marikar’s picks to make the official top ten – some 642 votes behind winner Messi.
Alexander-Arnold finished in 18th.
And fans online reacted in equal part laughter and bemusement to his selections.
One labelled Marikar’s votes an “absolute disgrace”.
Another said: “Hafiz Marikar is my new favourite journalist.”
A fellow user posted: “Hafiz Marikar doesn’t give a flying f*** about PR stunts. Only appreciates real talent.”
One fuming fan wrote: “As usual Hafiz Marikar humiliates Sri Lanka with his Ballon d’Or vote. Alexander-Arnold and Aubameyang? FFS.”
Another said: “Who’s this Hafiz Marikar? Spoiling the whole name of Sri Lanka! It’s like he’s pulled out names of a lottery!”
Marikar’s votes from the two previous years showed more bizarre options – and a real aversion to Messi.
In 2018 the journalist put Eden Hazard top of his list – when Luka Modric won – and the year before, when Ronaldo triumphed, went for Leonardo Bonucci.
