Something that we all had thought of has come true. Lionel Messi, possibly the greatest football player ever, has once again reiterated his disinterest in winning the Ballon d’Or. The Argentine legend has always stressed that individual accolades do not match up to winning team trophies. And now, he has spoken about the same again.
Lionel Messi not bothered about the Ballon d’Or
Messi held his first news conference since joining Inter Miami on Thursday, a few days before the Leagues Cup final against Nashville SC on Saturday. Messi, 36, who guided Inter to its first-ever final, spoke on a variety of subjects during a jam-packed press conference that had to end early for lack of seating. He talked for a lengthy fifteen minutes.
Lionel Messi has stated that he isn’t overly concerned with winning the Ballon d’Or for a historic seventh time. He was put forward for the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year award on Thursday. Messi has an unmatched record of winning the prize seven times, cementing his name in football history.
Messi on the Ballon d’Or
Leo has an unmatched record of winning the prize seven times, cementing his name in football history. When asked by Marca about the Ballon d’Or, Leo said, ‘I think I have said it many times during my career: the Ballon d’Or is a very important award because of what it means. For its recognition, it is one of the nicest awards in the world at an individual level. But I never gave importance to individual awards. The most important thing was the collective awards.’
He continued, ‘I was lucky enough to win everything in my career, and the World Cup was what I was missing. That’s why now, after Qatar, I’m thinking much less about that award.’
He ended by saying, ‘Now I’m enjoying my moment. I’m not thinking about the Ballon d’Or. If it comes, fine; and if not, I am satisfied that I have achieved my objectives and…. now I have others with this club. We came here for this, to help the club win titles and on a personal level I’m also thinking about that.’
Messi on why he joined Inter Miami
Lionel Messi also touched upon a couple of different subjects during the press conference. On why he decided to join Inter Miami, he said, ‘We are in the place where we want to be. I didn’t want to leave Barcelona, it was a decision that didn’t depend on me, and the change to Paris was from one day to the next. That change was complicated, but here in Miami it is the opposite, very different.’
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He also said, ‘I do not think about the expansion of soccer in the United States, I came here to enjoy soccer and I chose this place for that. I am very happy for the decision I made for my family, for the day to day and the great reception of the United States in general. The stay has been spectacular. I am very happy with the moment I am enjoying.’