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The 36-year-old has enjoyed a fantastic start to life in the United States, scoring 11 goals in 13 games and helping his side win the Carabao Cup.
Lionel Messi appears to have taken a subtle dig at Cristiano Ronaldo, saying his record of seven Ballon d’Or wins may not be broken for the foreseeable future.
After leading Argentina to victory at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Messi is expected to win an eighth award this year, which would put him three ahead of his old nemesis Ronaldo’s five titles.
Ronaldo was nominated for the first time since 2004. Messi won his seventh Ballon d’Or two years ago in 2021 and said after the ceremony that he believed no one, including his closest rival Ronaldo, could surpass his record.
The 20-year-old midfielder has taken his game to a whole new level since joining Real Madrid this summer, but Wayne Rooney has expressed concerns.
“I don’t know if this record can be broken” I have claimed. “I can just accept it, but I’m not sure it can be beaten. Seven is really impressive.”
Ronaldo has won the Ballon d’Or five times, the last time in 2017, and has been runner-up six times.
However, the 38-year-old, who is now playing in the Saudi Professional League with Al-Nassr, seems unlikely to win the award again, especially after not making this year’s shortlist.
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Messi, meanwhile, has expressed his thoughts on an eighth Ballon d’Or when asked about it after signing for Major League Soccer side Inter Miami this summer.
“I have said many times that the Ballon d’Or is very important because it recognizes an individual level, but I have never paid much attention to it,” He said. “The most important thing for me is always the awards at the group level.
“I’ve been lucky enough to achieve everything in my career and after the World Cup I think a lot less about the award, my biggest award is that and I’m covering up my moment. If it comes it’ll be great Well, if not, nothing happened. I was lucky enough to achieve all the goals I set out to achieve in my career and now I have new goals at this club.”
The 20-year-old midfielder has taken his game to a whole new level since joining Real Madrid this summer, but Wayne Rooney has expressed concerns.
The 36-year-old has enjoyed a fantastic start to life in the United States, scoring 11 goals in 13 games and helping his side win the Carabao Cup.
However, Miami did fail to reach the MLS play-offs and Messi is already looking ahead to next season.
“it’s a shame,” He said. “We were very close. I missed the last few games. We had a few injuries. July was very difficult for us.
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“We play a game every three days and we travel. But we won a championship which is important for the club and for next year.
“For the first time, I have more time off in December, with vacation, peace of mind, and being with my people. In January, I will be back again for pre-season. Start from scratch and be ready.” As always, the best possible. “