Messi's image is everywhere, adorning the sides of buildings.
Marciniak responded to the criticism in a unique manner.
The Ballon d'Or, which is awarded annually since 1956, is one of the most prestigious individual honours in football.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
La Liga champions Barcelona began the new campaign with a 3-0 win over Alaves on Saturday with the help of a spectacular under-the-wall free kick from Lionel Messi, who scored twice, and a curling shot from substitute Philippe Coutinho.
"We woke up too late. We showed a real strength of character but when you get to penalties it's 50-50," said disappointed French fan Jordan Tambutte.
Kylian Mbappe believes Les Bleus have what it takes to win the title in Russia if they all stick together.
Argentina dominated the opening stages and earned the penalty when Di Maria was fouled by Ousmane Dembele, with Messi sending France keeper Hugo Lloris the wrong way to move to the top of the goalscoring charts in Qatar.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said on Tuesday it had upheld PSG's appeal against UEFA on the grounds that the body took too long to review its own decision to clear the French champions of breaking Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.
Diogo Jota and Joao Felix both scored their first international goals in the second half before Bruno Petkovic pulled one back and Andre Silva then added a fourth.
France teenage sensation Mbappe joins PSG from Monaco
An overview of contenders in the race for top scorer at the 2022 World Cup.
Brazil forward Neymar has signed for Al-Hilal from French champions Paris St Germain
'Messi's departure is a move that helps Florentino. Imagine that (Kylian) Mbappe now signs for Real Madrid.'
Vinicius Jr came off the bench to score once and set up another goal to steer champions Real Madrid to a 4-1 fightback victory over Espanyol.
'Les Bleus' will be inspired by the two-decade anniversary of their only World Cup win in 1998, while double winners Uruguay's modern generation are desperate to recreate the black-and-white-era glories of their 1930 and 1950 trophies.
Erling Haaland had the same points as Lionel Messi but lost out by having fewer first-place votes from national team captains.
Manchester City's spending of more than 180 million pounds ($223.58 million) was the second-biggest outlay ever worldwide by a club in the January transfer window.
World champions France won the Nations League final with goals from Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe earning them a 2-1 win over Spain at the San Siro stadium on Sunday.
Defensively, however, France conceded only a single goal -- a penalty to Poland that Robert Lewandowski converted at the second attempt.
News of all that transpired on and off the football field
By winning the World Cup on Sunday, the Argentine football team asserted its ability, but Martinez also proved that the Argentines can be bad sportsmen.
Kylian Mbappe missing the decisive kick in the shootout as world champions France were eliminated from Euro 2020 by Switzerland on Monday encapsulated the biggest lesson of an extraordinary night -- you cannot rely on individual brilliance alone.
Lionel Messi -- but who else -- led Argentina's World Cup celebrations.
A summary of Saturday's action in Ligue 1, LaLiga and Bundesliga.
The match was turned on its head when substitute Mario Gavranovic snatched a 90th-minute equaliser and force extra time.
Lionel Messi said he and his family had trouble adapting after his move to Paris St Germain in 2021.
Man United were mistakenly drawn with Villarreal, even though both teams had already faced each other in the group stage.
'He is strong, he feels strong, he is a leader for the defence; we will need him (to stay performing) at that level.'
Bayer Leverkusen crushed hosts VfL Bochum 5-0 to stretch their remarkable unbeaten run across all competitions this season to 50 consecutive matches.
Girona thrash Osasuna for first win of the season
France's probable starting line-up for World Cup final
World champions France moved to four points while Hungary, on one point, kept up their slim hopes alive, in a group where they had been given little chance with heavyweights Germany and Portugal also in the mix.
A summary of Tuesday's Champions League first leg quarter-finals between Arsenal and Real Madrid, and Inter Milan and Bayern Munich.
'We have to look at the whole team, not just one player. If we play together, and stay compact we can do well. I would not target a single player.'
PSG forward Messi, 35, was next on the list after bringing home a combined $130 million while club team mate and France captain Mbappe -- the youngest on the list at 24 -- earned $120 million to sit third.
Spain v France, a knockout clash which usually leads to Euro triumph
Mbappe struck in the 74th minute to put PSG on 80 points from 29 games and on the brink of retaining the title with second-placed Lille, who beat Nantes 3-2 away earlier on Sunday, still 20 points behind having played a game more.
Griezmann played mainly deep, but also often close to lone striker Giroud or even on the flanks.
