Lionel Messi, age 36, displayed his remarkable talent once again by winning his eighth Ballon d'Or award at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris. Among a group of 30 talented players, the Inter Miami star emerged victorious over Erling Haaland from Manchester City. Although Haaland achieved an impressive treble with Manchester City last season, Messi's standout achievement was leading Argentina to victory in the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Messi graciously acknowledged the entire Argentina team for their collective achievement when he received the award from Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham. Additionally, he chose to dedicate the trophy to the memory of the late Argentine legend Diego Maradona on what would have been his 63rd birthday.
This victory demonstrates a recent change in the award's criteria, which now considers a player's performance throughout the last season rather than the entire calendar year. With this eighth Ballon d'Or, Messi surpasses his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo, making him the player with the most accolades in the history of the award.
In anticipation of the future, Messi continues to maintain his focus on the present, thoroughly enjoying each day without excessively pondering the long-term future.
The crowning achievement in Qatar represented Messi's accomplishment of participating in all the significant tournaments for his country. The World Cup final was an intense and exciting match, with Argentina ultimately winning 4-2 in penalties after an exhilarating 3-3 draw. Messi's successful penalty kick in the 23rd minute, combined with a subsequent assist from Alexis MacAllister to Angel Di Maria, secured a 2-0 lead. Despite Kylian Mbappe's commendable attempt to stage a comeback for France, the game concluded with a penalty shootout, resulting in Argentina emerging as the winner.
Following the conclusion of the World Cup, Messi's performance in the 2022-23 Ligue 1 season with PSG exhibited both successes and challenges. Despite PSG's inability to secure the UEFA Champions League, they were able to successfully retain their Ligue 1 championship. The decision for Messi to transfer to Inter Miami from PSG garnered considerable attention, reflecting a significant shift in his career. This choice was made after considering various factors such as financial aspects and Barcelona's limited financial circumstances, ultimately leading him to decline offers from Al Hilal and FC Barcelona.
In 2023, Messi gracefully achieved two more titles in his remarkable career, triumphantly securing the Ligue 1 championship with PSG and the Leagues Cup with Miami. These achievements enhance his already esteemed legacy as one of the finest players in football, showcasing not only his personal accomplishments but also his substantial contributions to his teams' triumphs.
Image Credits: Eurosport
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