Lionel Messi wins Ballon d’Or for eighth time – DW – October 31, 2023

Argentine Lionel Messi beat French Kylian Mbappe and Norwegian Erling Haaland to win his eighth Ballon d’Or this Monday (October 30, 2023) Award, which he dedicated to Diego Armando Maradona.

The Inter Miami football player became the first player not to play in Europe when the award was established in 1956. The 36-year-old Messi won the award for his contribution to Argentina’s victory at the World Cup in Qatar.

Messi received the award from Englishman David Beckham, owner of his current club Inter Miami.

The Argentinian star hopes to share the award with his teammates, with whom he fulfilled his “only missing” dream a year later, which is that “Argentina is the world champion”.

While he wanted to make it clear that while all the awards were “special”, he said “the important awards are the collective awards”.

Attendees included his teammates “Dib” Martinez (Best Goalkeeper Award), Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez.

“After what we have achieved, it is a gift to the entire coaching staff and to the entire Argentine people,” he insisted.

Lionel Messi also wanted to dedicate the trophy to Maradona as he turns 63 today.

Words from Mbappe and Haaland

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

When asked about his career, the 36-year-old, who has won eight Ballon d’Or awards in a 19-year career, assured that he “never” imagined he would have the career he has achieved now.

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

With his wife Antonella and three children in the audience, he admitted he had experienced “tough defeats”, especially with the national team. “But I didn’t give up, I fought for the desire to win the Copa America, the World Cup, that was what I was missing and I’m happy to keep working hard,” he stressed.

In a comment that he may not expect to win the award again, he said he had no doubt that Mbappe and Haaland “in the next few years, they will win this award” and that “a battle between the two Very exciting fight” them. “

Looking at the attendees at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, he added: “I’ve been lucky enough to attend this event over the years and the cast changes but the level never drops.”

mg (efe, afp, AP)