Associated Press5 min read
Lionel Messi shows off his eighth Ballon d’Or to Inter Miami fans
Lionel Messi holds the Ballon d’Or above his head during the pre-match ceremony before Inter Miami’s friendly against New York FC.
Lionel Messi raised the Ballon d’Or above his head as fireworks lit up the sky, capping off the pre-match ceremony. With that, Inter Miami will once again pay tribute to football’s greatest player in 2023.
Messi was at the MLS pitch on Friday night for a friendly against New York City FC, a match that commemorated his eighth Ballon d’Or win – awarded annually to the sport’s top players. Players – at a black-tie ceremony in Paris last month. No other player has won the award more than five times.
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Messi played the entire game against New York City, but Miami lost 2-1. Talles Magno and Julian Fernandez scored for New York. Miami substitute Robert Robinson scored the only goal for the home team with ten minutes remaining.
Messi held the trophy in his left hand and walked to the midfield on the golden carpet spread on the court. Major League Soccer President Don Garber also participated in a brief pre-match ceremony among the crowd waiting for his arrival. He hugged Garber, Inter Miami owner Jorge and Jose Mas before lifting the trophy as the crowd cheered.
“It’s great to share this with everyone,” Messi said. “I’ve been here only a short time, but it seems like a long time.”
How momentous this moment was: Even Garber whipped out his phone to capture the moment.
“You, Inter Miami fans, have the best player ever,” Garber said. “He won the Ballon d’Or for the eighth time and captained the team to lift the League Cup. Thank you Leo for believing in MLS to make your club and league the league of choice.”
It was the perfect end to Messi’s first four months at the club: the first year started with a party on the field and ended with another celebration, looking ahead to year two.
“He is the main star of this game and we want to celebrate with him his eighth Ballon d’Or,” Inter Miami coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino said. “It’s also an opportunity for us to compete. Even though it’s a friendly, it’s a chance for people and fans to see Leo and his team-mates on the pitch and say goodbye to the year.”
Against NYCFC, Messi was on the pitch the entire game, but Miami lost 2-1. Talles Magno and Julian Fernandez scored for New York. Miami substitute Robbie Robinson scored the only goal for the home team with ten minutes remaining.
It’s an extra chance to say goodbye, at least at home. Inter Miami’s home schedule ended more than three weeks ago, and Messi did not play that night – he had just returned from two World Cup qualifying games against Argentina.
Inter Miami was scheduled to play two matches in China earlier this month, but the trip did not take place due to what the team described as “unforeseen circumstances.” When that plan fell through, Inter Miami opted for another option – having New York FC play the exhibition game. Messi has been training with the team for much of the past two weeks, arriving at the team’s training ground the morning after winning the Ballon d’Or in Paris.
“I want to thank everyone in Miami, not just the people in the stadium,” Messi said. “The treatment that my family and I received… made me feel at home.”
Messi is likely to play at least two more games in 2023 – Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay (in Buenos Aires) on November 16 and Brazil (in Rio de Janeiro) on November 21.
The team could begin training for 2024 in January, and the MLS regular season could begin in late February. It’s shaping up to be a busy year for Inter Miami, which won the League Cup – its first ever trophy – shortly after Messi signed for the club this summer. In addition to Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2024, the club will compete in that competition as well as the US Open and CONCACAF Champions League.
“I have no doubt… next year will be better,” Messi said. “We will continue to enjoy and try to win more titles and I hope you are with me.”
Martino was asked this week what still drives Messi. He said Messi’s level of competition in practice will be the best answer.
“If you see this, you don’t even have to ask the question,” Martino said. “You’ll see what I mean soon.”
There is a “GOAT” (short for “Greatest of All Time”) debate in many sports. Basketball has Michael Jordan or LeBron James. Golf has Tiger Woods or Jack Nicklaus. Men’s tennis has Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic. Some sports make it easy: recency bias doesn’t exist, and it’s hard to argue with Simone Biles in gymnastics, Michael Phelps in men’s swimming, or Katie Ledecky in women’s swimming.
Football may still be controversial. But eight Ballon d’Or trophies will certainly change Messi’s opinion.
Speaking about the debate, Inter Miami forward Benjamin Kremarski said: “I believe it’s over.” Messi scored his first official goal for Barcelona in 2005 as an 18-year-old Cremache is less than two months old. “He’s proven it over the last 18 years. I think he’s the best player in the world, the best player in history. I don’t know if there are a lot of people who disagree. It’s obviously a bit biased, but from me From what I’ve seen, I haven’t seen anyone better.”