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Lionel Messi asked if he's the GOAT after winning eighth Ballon d'Or, his answer sums him up
Home>Football>Football News
Published 07:36 31 Oct 2023 GMT

Lionel Messi asked if he's the GOAT after winning eighth Ballon d'Or, his answer sums him up

Lionel Messi won a record eighth Ballon d'Or award on a night where he was asked if he is the best player in history.

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

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Lionel Messi gave an extremely modest answer when he was asked if he is the best football player in history at the Ballon d'Or ceremony.

Messi won his record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or award at last night's event in Paris.

He led Argentina to World Cup glory after beating France in the final to win the prestigious tournament for the first time in his legendary career.

The superstar forward beat Manchester City's Erling Haaland and Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe to land the coveted individual accolade.

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Inter Miami owner David Beckham presented the 36-year-old with the Ballon d'Or.

After bagging his eighth Ballon d'Or award, he said: "It's nice to be here once more to enjoy this moment. To be able to win the World Cup and achieve my dream.

"I couldn't imagine having the career I've had and everything I've achieved, the fortune I've had to be part of the best team in history.

"All of them [Ballon d'Or awards] are special for different reasons."

Lionel Messi on stage with his Ballon d'Or award. Image: Getty
Lionel Messi on stage with his Ballon d'Or award. Image: Getty

After the ceremony, Messi spoke to reporters during a press conference, where he was asked if he is the best football player in history.

"As I always said, I do not know if I am the best player in history or not," he replied via @AlbicelesteTalk. "If I am one of the best, then this is a wonderful thing."

The Argentine enhanced his legacy following his national team's World Cup success in Qatar last year.

He's enjoyed a prolific, trophy-laden career, having starred at Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami.

Messi won his first Ballon d'Or award in 2009 - then won it again in 2010, 2011 and 2012. He won his fifth award in 2015 before triumphing again in 2019, 2021 and 2023.

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Featured Image Credit: Ballon d'Or/Getty

Topics: Lionel Messi, Football

Nasir Jabbar
Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Darren Till. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

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@NasJabbar

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