After winning the 2023 Ballon d'Or, Messi has extended his record of receiving this award with 8 times being honored, 3 times more than the second-placed C. Ronaldo. The Portuguese superstar has only won 5 Ballons d'Or in history.
Messi admitted that he and C. Ronaldo had a sporting battle.
In an interview with L'Équipe, Messi spoke about his relationship with C. Ronaldo. The Argentine striker said: "It's just a purely sporting battle. After all, it's good for development.
We tried our best to surpass each other and push each other to develop. C. Ronaldo always wanted to beat everyone and win every title. We had a great time competing. Football fans also enjoyed this confrontation.
I think what we have done is admirable. It is difficult to achieve success but it is even more difficult to maintain it. We were together at the top of the world for 10-15 years. It is very difficult to maintain competition for such a long time. It is unbelievable. We have had great memories with people who love football."
Sharing about his record of winning the Golden Ball, Messi said: "I think it partly depends on my mentality. Simply, I never want to stop but always try to practice hard and achieve more success.
I always say that I like to win and I don't like to be a loser. I always try my best to compete and give my all. Football is the sport I have been passionate about since I was a child. I have dedicated everything to this sport."
Messi admits to giving everything to football (Photo: Getty).
Messi won his first Ballon d'Or in 2009 (when he was only 22). Talking about his feelings when he was honored for the first time 14 years ago, El Pulga said: "It was special. You always have a special feeling when you receive a noble award for the first time. I still remember the first time I received the award.
Back then, the awards ceremony was just a TV show. It wasn't as grand as a gala. I went to Paris with my brothers. There weren't as many people attending the awards ceremony as there are now."
Messi admitted that the Ballon d'Or is no longer a priority for him at the moment. The No. 10 superstar added: "The truth is that I stopped thinking about the Ballon d'Or a long time ago. I said before that it was not my top priority. Now, I give less priority to this title after having won everything in my career.
I think this is my last Ballon d'Or in my career. I'm very happy to look back on a career full of success and to be the first player to win eight Ballons d'Or. I'm extremely happy."
Messi confirmed that he was satisfied with winning every title in his career (Photo: Getty).
Commenting on the candidates for the Ballon d'Or in the future, Messi said: "I think there will be many players who have the chance to win this title. I can give some examples like Haaland, Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. They will have to compete with many other stars.
Lamine Yamal, who has shown his influence at Barcelona since he was very young, will soon join the race. There are many good players in world football. Therefore, I think in the near future, many players will come to light."
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