Despite a disappointing 2022-23 season at club level, the young prodigy from Inter Miami fully deserves an eighth Ballon d’Or.
“It has been an absolute privilege to watch Lionel Messi for almost twenty years. Moment by moment he has played mesmerizing football with mesmerizing joy. It is a gift from the gods of football. I am so glad that He has won the highest award in our sport. Thanks and best wishes, Campeon”.
Former FC Barcelona striker Gary Lineker has always been a strong supporter of Messi, to the extent that some have accused him of bias in his reporting as a BBC Sport presenter. But the tribute he paid to the Argentina captain on social media after the World Cup final is commendable.
It was impossible not to get emotional watching Messi lift the trophy that was so long overdue in Qatar. He failed to feature in the final with Argentina in 2014 and has faced huge expectations on the international stage since debuting as a long-haired teenager nine years ago.
Messi’s stellar performances during his 21-year career at Barcelona earned him seven Ballons d’Or, as well as multiple La Liga and Champions League titles, but some still doubted his eligibility for the unofficial title. The best player of all time in the World Cup because of his struggles.
Any doubts were erased forever at the 2022 tournament, when Messi led his country to Middle East glory. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni enjoyed an exceptional squad, with the likes of Angel Di Maria, Alexis McAllister, Enzo Fernandez, Cristian Romero and flamboyant goalkeeper Emi Martinez all playing key roles in their victory.
But it was Messi who inspired him. He shone at times when the Albiceleste needed something special to find fault or eliminate an opponent, and he held the team together in adversity.
It was truly breathtaking to watch him fully unleash his creative genius, and a joy to watch him let down his guard to enjoy the magnitude of his greatest achievement when it was accomplished. Was. Messi finished football, and in doing so, nearly won his eighth Ballon d’Or.
Erling Haaland is in contention for the 2023 award after leading Manchester City to the treble in his first season at the Etihad Stadium, and his case is made easier by the fact that Messi has not enjoyed the same success at Paris Saint-Germain. ,
But really, no comparison is possible between both the individuals in terms of individual performance. As GOAL points out below, Messi was again the best player in the world in 2022-23…
(TagstoTranslate)Argentina(T)PSG(T)Inter Miami(T)L. Macy(T)E. Holland