SUMMARY
- Messi's side Argentina won the FIFA World Cup 2022.
- He won his 8th Ballon d'Or on October 2023.
Lionel Messi won his record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or back in October 2023. This was his first individual triumph after moving to Inter Miami in the summer of 2023. The Argentine won the prestigious award for his efforts with Argentina in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. During this period, Messi was a PSG player, but the Argentine ignored the French club for a heartfelt gesture for FC Barcelona.
Messi has donated his eighth Ballon d’Or to the FC Barcelona museum. The Argentine moved away from the Spanish club back in the summer of 2021, but it is clear that he still holds the club and its memories close to his heart with this gesture.
Lionel Messi donated his 8th Ballon d’Or to the FC Barcelona museum
As per reports from Miquel Blázquez, Messi has donated his eight Ballon d’Or to the museum of his former club so that it can be displayed alongside the rest of the seven awards that he won in his career playing for the Spanish club.
Leo Messi ha donado su octavo Balón de Oro al museo del Barça. A pesar de que no lo ganó como futbolista azulgrana, el astro argentino ha tenido el gesto de cederlo para que sea expuesto junto a los otros siete que ha ganado. Imposible no echarle de menos. #FCBarcelona pic.twitter.com/iF5gogVN94
— Miquel Blázquez (@BlazquezFont) February 19, 2024
This latest gesture has won over the hearts of the FC Barcelona fans, who still miss their legendary number 10. Messi won his first Ballon d’Or in 2009 for his contribution to winning a treble with FC Barcelona under Pep Guardiola. He won six more while being a player for the Spanish club, with his seventh and last one for FC Barcelona coming in 2021.
Messi moved away to PSG on a two-year contract but failed to win over the French fans during his stint with the Ligue 1 club. He has often talked about his tough period at PSG, which is why it isn’t surprising that Messi decided to donate his latest Ballon d’Or to FC Barcelona instead of PSG.
Lionel Messi talked about FC Barcelona after winning the record-extending Ballon d’Or
Lionel Messi faced several questions regarding FC Barcelona after winning his record-extending Ballon d’Or. He was linked to a return to the Spanish club before he chose to move to the MLS with Inter Miami. The topic of return in the future was brought up again in the press conference after the award.
Messi: “On the day I retire I will play a farewell match, 45 minutes with the Argentina shirt and 45 with the Barça.” pic.twitter.com/OPH0zMryMu
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) May 26, 2018
Messi played down the speculation about the return by stating that he isn’t thinking about it now. However, he did mention that he would be close to the club in one way or another. He called Barcelona his home and stated that he would like to be able to say goodbye to the people differently.
Messi moved away from FC Barcelona without a proper farewell due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It has often been reported that the Argentine might return to the club for a farewell match, and his comments from this presentation added more fuel to these reports. The current stadium of FC Barcelona will be renovated by the end of 2024 after which a farewell might be on the cards.
