Gatorade came up with an unique way to honour Lionel Messi after he was announced Ballon d’Or 2023 winner. The sports drink company sent Messi a hoard of 8 golden Gatorade bottles to commemomerate the event. Messi, 36 won his record eighth Ballon d’Or on Monday at Paris.
Messi was instrumental in Argentina winning their first World Cup in 36 years. Last year, they defeated reigning champions France in a dramatic final.
The 36-year-old is currently three titles ahead of rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who won the last of his five in 2017. Messi has now finished in the top three a record 14 times, finishing runner-up five times.
Lionel Messi defeated treble winner Erling Haaland of Manchester City to earn the coveted award. Haaland, 23, was a strong contender for his first Ballon d’Or after scoring 52 goals in 53 games across all competitions last season.
However, Argentina’s amazing run at the World Cup in Qatar helped him beat over Norway’s striker for the prize. Messi’s CV lacked only one major trophy: the World Cup.
Messi also won the Ligue 1 title with PSG before joining Inter Miami. He assisted the Major League Soccer team in winning the Leagues Cup, its first major prize.