Lionel Messi’s brutal message to Cristiano Ronaldo after record-breaking Ballon d’Or win
Lionel Messi, a record-breaking recipient of the Ballon d’Or seven times, stands on the cusp of potentially claiming his eighth prestigious award this year, further solidifying his legendary status and extending his lead over his closest rival, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Messi finds himself as the front-runner for this year’s Ballon d’Or, primarily due to Argentina’s remarkable World Cup victory last year.
In a rather unexpected twist, Cristiano Ronaldo, a regular nominee and fierce competitor, finds himself missing from the nomination list for the first time since 2004.
Messi secured his seventh Ballon d’Or triumph just two years ago in 2021, during which he made a confident statement following the ceremony.
In response to whether anyone, including his perennial rival Ronaldo, could surpass his astonishing record, Messi said, “I don’t know if the record is beatable. I just have to accept it but I’m not sure if it can be beaten. Seven is really impressive.”
Ronaldo, on the other hand, has clinched the Ballon d’Or five times, with his most recent win occurring in 2017.
Despite finishing as the runner-up on six occasions, the 38-year-old, now showcasing his talent in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr, appears unlikely to secure another Ballon d’Or, especially in light of his omission from this year’s shortlist.
Messi, who embarked on a new chapter in his career by signing with MLS outfit Inter Miami this summer, previously shared his perspective on a potential eighth Ballon d’Or win.
He emphasized the significance of individual recognition but noted that his primary focus has always been on collective achievements.
He expressed, “I have said it many times, the Ballon d’Or is very important due to the recognition at the individual level, but I never gave it importance.
The most important thing for me was always the awards at the group level.”
Messi’s start in the American league has been nothing short of spectacular, tallying an impressive 11 goals in just 13 appearances, contributing to their victory in the Leagues Cup.
However, despite their efforts, Inter Miami narrowly missed out on the MLS playoffs.
In the midst of his transition to the MLS, Messi remains forward-focused and goal-oriented. He declared, “It’s a shame. We came very close.
We had several injuries. The month of July was very hard for us. But we won a tournament, which is important for the club and for what is coming next year.”
As he sets his sights on the future, Messi reflects on his career, stating, “I was lucky to have achieved everything in my career, and now I have new goals with this club.”
Messi expressed his intention to prepare for the upcoming season after enjoying a well-deserved break, saying, “I will return again to do pre-season, start from scratch, and prepare as best as possible, as always.”
