Messi: “Cristiano Ronaldo and I deserve a lot of honors”

2023 Ballon d’Or winner and Argentinian striker Leo Messi has assured that Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo and his “good fight on a sporting level” over the years are worthy of “Lots of accolades.” He believes that starting in 2024, “a new era” seen from the outside will begin.

“On a sporting level it was a very good fight. We live by competing against each other because we are both great competitors. Cristiano also wants to win everything. For both of them and for everyone who loves football “It’s a very happy moment for everyone. I think we deserve credit for being able to stay at the top for so long.” He told France Football: “It’s extremely difficult to stay at the top for ten or fifteen years. . “

In this sense, he said the Ballon d’Or was “a great reward for everything” but stressed that it was the “collective award” that was important. “I had the chance to win every possible title with Barcelona and then with Argentina, which is the most important thing for me,” he stressed. “These eight Ballon d’Ors reflect my mentality and drive and desire to improve myself day after day. “I’ve always said I love winning and am allergic to losing,” he added.

Additionally, he revealed who he thinks the future winner will be. “There could be a very exciting battle in the next few years with players like Haaland, Mbappe, Vinicius… a lot of young people will be fighting for the next Ballon d’Or. I’m also thinking of Lamin Ya Mar, he is still young.” But who is already playing at Barcelona, ​​that is decisive. Other players will appear, just like what happens all the time. This will be a new era that I will happily observe from the outside,” he said.