Soccer GOAT and 2022 FIFA World Cup Champion Lionel Messi recently bagged yet another Ballon d?Or trophy. The legendary player who mesmerizes the audience and trounces his opponents with absolute finesse secured one of soccer?s greatest honors once again.?Messi has been leading Argentinian football for a long time now and has collected a multitude of medals on the way. Along similar lines, the football icon once again lifted another Ballon d’Or glory and took the spotlight.
Interestingly, to honor his achievements, the Olympics took to their social media to congratulate the World Champion on winning the Ballon d?Or once again. In fact, it also reminded the world of his Olympic glory, which makes him shine brighter than his rivals.
Another Ballon d?Or year for Lionel Messi
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The 36-year-old Lionel Messi claimed the annual Ballon d?Or award for 2023 by the France Football Magazine. Argentina?s national hero was recognized for the honor for the eighth time in his glorious career. The Olympic Games congratulated the champion on his latest victory via its official X account.
Icon. 🇦🇷
Congratulations to the one and only Lionel Messi, on winning his 8th #BallonDor!
From 🥇 at Beijing 2008 to leading his nation to victory at the 2022 World Cup 🏆, yet another achievement for Messi’s incredible legacy!⚽🌟 pic.twitter.com/vM9AhuX4ue
— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) October 30, 2023
The tweet carried the caption,??Congratulations to the one and only Lionel Messi, on winning his 8th #BallonDor! From his gold medal at Beijing 2008 to leading his nation to victory at the 2022 World Cup, yet another achievement for Messi?s incredible legacy!??The 2008 Olympic Games saw the then-21-year-old young star bring home one of the greatest honors in sports.?
Speaking about his Olympic gold in a 2017 interview, Messi said,??The Olympic gold in 2008 is the win that I value the most because it is a tournament that you may play only once in your life and involves many athletes from different disciplines? While the GOAT values his Olympic gold the most, he has also strived hard for the Ballon d?Or every year. In fact, he has beaten one of Manchester City?s stars to the award and left him in the dust once again.
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Messi stealing the glory from the ‘goal machine’ again
Erling Haaland is known as the goal machine in Manchester City. The Norwegian player is known for his exceptional ability to make space and shoot the ball past goalkeepers. This year, Haaland bagged the second position after Messi despite scoring a scorching 52 goals across multiple tournaments. This isn?t the first time GOAT Lionel Messi has forced Haaland to settle for the second position. Meanwhile, Messi?s FIFA World Cup rival, Kylian Mbappe bagged the third place.?
ALSO READ – Why Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi Never Voted For Each Other in the Ballon d?Or?
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Giving his victory speech, Lionel Messi said,??I couldn?t imagine having the career that I?ve had.??He also mentioned,??Everything that I?ve achieved. The fortune I?ve had playing for the best team in the world, the best team in history. It?s nice to win these individual trophies. To win the Copa America and then the World Cup, to get it done is amazing.”?The reminder by the Olympics comes when the Paris iteration of the Olympics stands just 269 days away. Will Lionel Messi be able to secure another Olympic gold after a successful FIFA season and his 8th Ballon d?Or?
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