Superstar Lionel Messi said that the Ballon d’Or is a prestigious personal award for everyone, but he never thought it was important.
On the morning of August 18, Messi had his first press conference in the US as an Inter Miami player. A reporter thinks he will win the eighth Ballon d’Or this year, after helping Argentina win the World Cup. When this person asked Messi how he felt about that prospect, the Miami captain replied: “This award has the most important meaning in football, from a personal perspective. But I have never considered the Golden Ball important. important, because I only like collective titles.”
Lionel Messi at a press conference with Inter Miami in the US on August 17, 2023. Photo: VarskySports
The 36-year-old superstar added that he is not thinking about the eighth Ballon d’Or. “If I win this award, that’s fine, but if I don’t, I don’t have a problem,” he said. “I’ve won every trophy in football, and now I’m just enjoying every moment on the pitch.”
Messi is facing the opportunity to become the player to win the most collective titles in football history, if he helps Inter Miami win the 2023 Leagues Cup. He has 43 titles, one less than Dani Alves. And Miami is about to meet Nashville in the final on the morning of August 20.
Messi also said that he chose to come to Miami because of his family, not just for sports. “Moving from Barca to PSG is relatively complicated, and from PSG to Miami is much easier,” he commented. “I come here not only to play football, but also for my daily activities with my family.”
Messi scored nine goals in his first six games for Miami, including three superb long-range shots. The kick from 33 meters into the net against Philadelphia on August 16 is his farthest goal in his club career. He is always happy when playing football in the US, celebrating a few times in the style of superheroes of the Marvel cinematic universe, such as God of Thunder, Black Panther or Spider-Man.
“My father and I spend time watching Marvel movies every night, because the kids are still on summer vacation,” he said. “The kids have suggested that I celebrate the table in this way, and the four of us will continue to enjoy it.”
Messi himself also said that he found joy again, when he went to Miami. He joined PSG in the summer of 2021 because he was forced to leave Barca. During his time in France, he won Ligue 1 twice but stopped in the 1/8 round of the Champions League. At the end of last season, he was even often whistled and booed by the PSG audience. Currently in the US, every goal of the Argentine superstar is often responded to by the entire audience.
The owner of the 2023 Men’s Golden Ball will only be announced in October. However, right now, experts predict this title is the race of Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland, the two stars with the most impressive performance in the period from August 1, 2022 to July 31, / /. 2023.
A series of prestigious news sites such as Goal or Sporting News rated Messi as having many advantages to overcome Haaland and win the 8th Golden Ball in his career. Recently, Sport Brief has pointed out 5 reasons that make Messi the No. 1 candidate for this year’s Ballon d’Or.
Messi won the World Cup
The World Cup is considered the most prestigious trophy in football. At the end of last year, Messi finally successfully conquered this peak after a memorable campaign with Argentina.
Goal thinks that what Messi shows at the 2022 World Cup is likely enough to win the Ballon d’Or. Haaland didn’t even make it to the tournament due to Norway’s defeat in qualifying.
Messi shines brightly in the World Cup
Not only winning the World Cup, what helps Messi to be appreciated is Messi’s performance at this tournament. The Argentine superstar scored 8 goals, was voted the best player in 5/7 matches and also won the title of the best tournament.
After the tournament, Messi broke a total of 10 World Cup records, such as the player who played the most matches, contributed the most goals directly, was the first player to score in every round.
Messi does not play bad in the club shirt
PSG had an unsatisfactory season when they were eliminated early in the Champions League. However, Messi’s performance in the French team shirt is still appreciated. In total, Messi pocketed 21 goals and 20 assists for PSG last season.
Messi made a great contribution to helping PSG successfully defend the title in Ligue 1. Messi’s club stats last season could not be equal to Haaland’s, but it was still excellent for a 36-year-old player.
Haaland performed poorly in the finals
Up to this point, Haaland has had 5 finals in a row, 4 of which come in 2023. When Man City competed with Inter to determine the throne in the Champions League, Haaland played poorly.
Rodri scored the only goal to help Man City complete the treble. Rodri was also later voted the best player of the tournament.
The cohesion in the Man City squad
After 7 years at the Etihad Stadium, coach Pep Guardiola has built a united, uniform Man City team and does not depend too much on any individual. Haaland made an important contribution last season with 52 goals for Man City. However, other teammates also play an extremely important role in the success of the club, especially Kevin De Bruyne.
If Haaland lacks, another name at Man City can play the hero. On the opposite side, after the failed opening match in the World Cup, Messi shone in all the remaining matches to bring the home team to the championship. “He single-handedly led Argentina to the gold cup,” said Sport Brief.
