Messi wins his eighth Ballon d’Or

Argentinian Lionel Messi this monday he got the eighth Ball of gold, surpassing the French Kylian Mbappé and Norwegian Erling Haaland, the award he dedicated Diego Armando Maradona.

The Inter Miami footballer becomes the first non-playing winner of the award, established in 1956 Europe. Messi, 36 years old, won the award thanks to his contribution to the victory Argentina at the World Cup in Qatar.

Messi received a prize from the English David Beckham the owner of his current club Inter Miami.

The Argentinian star wanted to share the award with his teammates, after a year in which he achieved his “dream, the only one” he was “missing”, and that was nothing more than “Argentina to be world champion.”

And although he wanted to clarify that, although all awards are “special”, he asserted that “the important awards are collective”. Among those present were his colleagues “Dibu” Martínez (best goalkeeper award), Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez.

“This is a gift for the entire coaching staff and for all the people in Argentina after what we have achieved,” he insisted.

Messi He also wanted to dedicate the trophy Maradona, since he would have turned 63 today.

“I remember Diego, it’s his birthday and there is no better place to congratulate him than surrounded by so many people who love football, as he did. Happy birthday Diego, I share this award with you,” he said.

Asked about his career, now 36 and eight Ballons d’Or in 19 as a professional, he said he “never” imagined he would have the career he has achieved.

“I was lucky to be in the best team in history, that made everything easier, winning individual awards,” he said of his time at Barcelona.

With his wife Antonella and his three children in the audience, he admitted that he had “tough defeats”, especially with the national team. “But I didn’t give up, I fought for my desire to win the Copa América, the World Cup, which I missed, I’m happy that I kept trying,” he stressed.

In a comment that indicated he might not expect to win the award again, he said he had no doubts about it Mbappé and Haaland “in the coming years they will win this prize”, in “a very nice fight between the two.”

Looking at those present in Theater Chatelet in ParisHe added: “I am happy to be at this gala for many years and the players change but the level never drops.”