PSG is being investigated by police for buying the 2021 Ballon d'Or for Messi

According to a report in Le Monde, leaders at PSG tried to influence Pascal Ferre - former Editor-in-Chief of France Football magazine, the organizer of the Ballon d'Or.

It is alleged that the leaders of the Parc des Princes club sought to gain Ferre's support through various means, including gifts and other payments. Le Monde said PSG hoped Messi would win the Ballon d'Or during his time at the club.

According to Le Monde, the investigation focuses mainly on PSG's former communications director Jean-Martial Ribes. A report by the Inspector General of the National Police from November 2023 stated: "Ribes asked journalists, politicians, cabinet members or artists to buy tickets to PSG football matches."

In a message sent to president Nasser Al-Khelaifi on September 18, 2021, Ribes wrote: "We are going to lobby. So let's have lunch with Pascal." Two months later, Messi was honored with the 2021 Ballon d'Or. This is the 7th Ballon d'Or that the Argentine superstar has won in his career, before being crowned again in 2023.

Messi joined PSG in the summer of 2021 as a free agent, before leaving in the summer of 2023 to join Inter Miami. In total, La Pulga made 75 appearances for PSG, contributing 32 goals and 35 assists.

At the 2021 Ballon d'Or award, Messi surpassed Robert Lewandowski to win the award. According to the announcement of the Organizing Committee, the 36-year-old striker won 613 points, while Lewy only had 580 points.