Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Football, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi
Chris Byfield
Lionel Messi is just one trophy shy of completing football.
The Argentina star picked up a record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or in October, while he has won the World Cup, the Copa America, four Champions Leagues, 10 La Ligas and two Ligue 1 titles to name but a small sample of his enormous trophy cabinet.
There is one individual honour that has continued to allude Messi, however - the Golden Foot award.
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The Golden Foot award is given to players who stand out for both their athletic achievements and for their personality.
It is a prize that can only be given to active players of at least 28 years of age, while it can only be won once.
Ten nominees are chosen by a panel of international journalists based on the above criteria, with the winner subsequently selected by an online poll where anyone can vote.
While past winners include Robert Lewandowski, Mohamed Salah, and Messi’s long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo, the pint-sized Argentina star has never won the prestigious prize.
Of course, having claimed the Ballon d’Or months earlier, Messi is likely to be in contention for the Golden Foot this year.
The 36-year-old is currently enjoying a break before Inter Miami's pre-season campaign gets underway in the New Year.
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Messi completed his first season with Miami in Major League Soccer in October after a summer move from Paris Saint-Germain, but the Florida-based outfit failed to reach the playoffs.
One of the games in Messi’s pre-season schedule will see him renew his rivalry with Ronaldo, as Miami take on Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr.
Messi and Ronaldo, who had won a combined 13 Ballon d’Ors, have been fierce rivals for the past two decades, battling for both team and individual honours across their illustrious careers.
The height of their rivalry came while Messi and Ronaldo were at Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively.