Lionel Messi has awkward Ballon d'Or trophy problem he's never experienced before

Lionel Messi won the Ballon d'Or for the eighth time on Monday night but he now faces a unique problem involving the trophy.

The 36-year-old added yet another individual prize to his collection after being handed the prize by Inter Miami owner David Beckham in Paris.

He beat Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe to the France Football gong, having led Argentina to a first World Cup since 1986 in stunning style in Qatar back in December.

Messi was selected by 100 journalists from leading FIFA nations and one wonders whether he is starting to run out of space given the amount of Golden Balls he has received.

However, Messi actually doesn't keep his Ballon d'Ors on the shelf at his house.

His previous seven trophies are in Barcelona's museum and can be seen on display by fans and whenever new players are given a tour.

That is despite his seventh Ballon d'Or being handed to him when he was a Paris Saint-Germain player.

Speaking to AS, Messi said: "Everything I own is in Barcelona, there at the museum. Ballon d'Ors, Golden Boots, everything."

Image: Getty

He may now have a dilemma with his latest Ballon d'Or. It wouldn't make sense for it to end up with the others in Barca as he was not a Blaugrana player.

He represented PSG for the first part of the year but left on bad terms and has made no secret of his lack of love for the club.

Messi has found his love for football at club level again with Inter in the MLS, winning the Leagues Cup.

But of course the primary reason he won the Ballon d'Or again was his heroics with Argentina over in Qatar, so it could end up in his home country.

Image: Getty

In his speech after winning the Ballon d'Or, he said: "Thanks to everyone, especially my teammates.

"Thank you to everyone who voted for me. This Ballon d'Or is a great gift for all of Argentina.

"I don't want to forget Haaland or Mbappé, who had a great year, spectacular, and in the coming years they will win this award.

"The level [of competition] never decreases, I have been lucky to be here for many years. I want to provide a special mention for all those people who were happy that Argentina became world champions.

"Thanks also to all my family, my wife, my children, for being there in the worst moments, and they have helped me fulfill my dreams in football. Without you it would not have been possible."

Topics: Lionel Messi, Ballon d'Or, Erling Haaland, Inter Miami, Paris Saint-Germain, Argentina

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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