Some say that the star of the World Cup champion team should be the top candidate for the Ballon d'Or, an award that annually awards the best soccer player of the year. It is customary for the figure in question to become the favorite to win the prize once the gold champion medal is awarded to him. However, it has not always been like this, as in 2010, 2014 or 2018. On Monday, Lionel Messi won his eighth Ballon d'Or.
The ceremony brought together figures of today and legends of the past at the Theater du Chatelet in Paris. They all witnessed what could potentially be the Argentine star's last coronation at the top of the soccer world.
The polls indicated that the only one who could snatch the Ballon d'Or from him was Erling Haaland. The Norwegian footballer from Manchester City placed second, leaving Frenchman Kylian Mbappé third. The podium was completed by Kevin De Bruyne, Rodrigo Hernández, Vinicius Junior, Julián Álvarez, Victor Osimhen, Bernardo Silva and Luka Modric.
El momento en el que Lionel Messi recibió su octavo Balón de Oropic.twitter.com/ORMRX2IEB3
— LA NACION (@LANACION) October 30, 2023
The person in charge of announcing the award was David Beckham, which was no coincidence since he happens to be the owner of Inter Miami, the club where Messi currently plays. After some knowing smiles, the Englishman gave the Ballon d'Or to the Argentine and unleashed general applause.
"I want to thank all the people who voted and made me the winner of this award. Obviously, to share with my teammates on the National Team, once again, this award comes hand in hand with what was achieved with the Argentine National Team. We are here, as he said before, Dibu, representing everyone, with Lautaro, Juli, and him (for the Dibu Martínez). I believe that this is a gift for the entire group, for the entire Technical Staff and for all the people of Argentina after what we achieved," Messi said in his speech, in which he also mentioned his family.
He also had words for his shortlist mates, Haaland and Mbappe, whom he congratulated and predicted that they would end up lifting the award.
The memory of Diego Maradona: "Wherever you are, happy birthday"
Messi finished his words by remembering Diego Armando Maradona on what would have been his 63rd birthday. The 1986 world champion died in November 2020 in his sleep. His death led to a legal case that has not yet been resolved.
"I want to mention Diego. There is no better place to wish him a happy birthday than surrounded by people who like soccer like he did. Wherever you are, happy birthday. This is for you, too," said Messi, visibly excited.
Both coincided in the 2010 World Cup, when Maradona was the coach of the Argentine National Team, and Messi was the leader of the team that said goodbye in the quarterfinals after a tough defeat against Germany.
De Lionel Messi.
Para Diego Maradona.
Los más grandes de la historia. 🇦🇷🥹pic.twitter.com/yC9uWbVDOp
— Ataque Futbolero (@AtaqueFutbolero) October 30, 2023
A World Cup worth a Ballon d'Or
Some question whether Messi deserves the 2023 Ballon d'Or, taking into account that other nominees have had a better season both individually and with their teams and won competitions of greater importance than those the Argentine won. With Paris Saint-Germain - a team in which he played until June 30 - he lifted the Ligue 1 title (French first division) - considered a lower quality league in Europe - and the French Super Cup.
Days after leaving Paris, he embarked on the American adventure and signed for Inter Miami. His significance was neither what was imagined nor what was desired: his statistics in the Major Soccer League (MLS) this season (one goal and two assists in six games) have been far from what was expected. Although he played a few games, he could not get the team out of the bottom of the standings.
However, despite having only been in the North American soccer league for a few months, Messi lifted a trophy with Inter Miami, the Leagues Cup, an official tournament but of little relevance.
The best argument to add his eighth Ballon d'Or to his record was winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with the Argentine team. After five attempts and five World Cup participations, Messi finally achieved his long-awaited title, the one that was missing from his personal showcase and that he celebrated more than any other before.
The last 10 Ballon d'Or winners
2013: Cristiano Ronaldo
2014: Cristiano Ronaldo
2015: Lionel Messi
2016: Cristiano Ronaldo
2017: Cristiano Ronaldo
2018: Luka Modric
2019: Lionel Messi
2020: not delivered due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
2021: Lionel Messi
2022: Karim Benzema
2023: Lionel Messi
