Lothar Matthaus Talks Lionel Messi, Ballon D'Or, Luis Enrique and More

German football legend Lothar Matthaus has claimed Barcelona star Lionel Messi is the only realistic candidate to win the Ballon d’Or this year.

The former Inter man, who won the gong himself after captaining West Germany to World Cup glory in 1990, has suggested no other player should be in the running after the Blaugrana star’s efforts in 2015, in which he has spearheaded Barcelona to four major honours, per FIFA (h/t Sport):

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In my opinion, only one player merits the Ballon d'Or. Lionel Messi. He has returned to play at an excellent level for FC Barcelona and has not only won the Champions League but the double in Spain too. Although the titles with Argentina resist him. 

[..]

His goals speak for him, for the brilliance of his plays, like the triumphs he has celebrated with Barcelona. He has extraordinary class and shows constantly how unique his game is. For me it would be a huge surprise if Messi didn't win the trophy.

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Messi is currently sidelined with an injury, and with Barcelona losing two of their last three La Liga games, a depleted squad seem to be feeling the effects of not having their talisman in situ.

After all, any side in world football would miss the forward's presence. As we can see here courtesy of WhoScored.com, he is an attacking force of nature:

It’s testament to Messi’s talent that even with world-class attacking players like Neymar and Luis Suarez to call upon in his squad, manager Luis Enrique is struggling to find an antidote to combat opponents without the mercurial No. 10. 

On the international stage, as Matthaus alludes to, Messi’s genius hasn’t quite shone through as brightly.

The Albiceleste lost the Copa America final to Chile in the summer, just 12 months on from falling short at the same stage in the World Cup against Germany. 

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Afterwards, there was plenty of scathing criticism that came the way of Messi and even some murmurings the Barca man could take a sabbatical from the international game, per Ole (h/t Fox Sports).

But after Argentina's underwhelming displays in their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying games against Ecuador and Paraguay without the stricken Messi, in which they only picked up one point, supporters are desperate to have their skipper back, including football writer Roy Nemer:

While various coaches at international level have failed to get the best out of Messi, Enrique’s shrewd management—moving the forward man out onto the right flank in the second half of the previous season—saw the forward guide Barcelona to a trio of honours at the end of 2014-15. Matthaus thinks he should be awarded for his acumen with the Coach of the Year award.

“Luis Enrique is the biggest favourite in the category,” said the World Cup winner. “In a year without no European Championship or World Cup, it's natural to focus more on club football, and Barcelona have been above everyone else.”

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The challenge for Enrique for the remainder of 2015 will be getting Barcelona going again. At the moment, the team are struggling with form and fitness, turning in sloppy showings well short of the levels they scaled on their way to treble glory in his debut term.

If he can wake the Blaugrana out of their current lull, the former midfielder will have definitely earned his stripes as a boss.

Spanish football expert Sergi Dominguez is unsure whether or not Enrique has the qualities to be a long-term manager for Barcelona, though:

Still, you suspect Matthaus will be spot on with his predictions, with Barcelona dominating the club scene as of late.

On reflection, after a tough start to the 2014-15 season by his own immaculate standards, it was a treat to see Messi return to such remarkable prominence this calendar year. His spell of form up until the Champions League final in Berlin in June is worthy of a Ballon d’Or triumph.

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There are some who will use Messi’s record with Argentina to try and decry his greatness, but the Albiceleste have an inherent, longstanding issue when it comes to getting over the line in major tournaments. Ultimately, they have faltered in spite of Messi’s brilliance, not because of him.