Featured Image Credit: Getty.
Topics: Lionel Messi, Ballon d'Or, Inter Miami
Jayden Collins
Lionel Messi’s desire to win his eighth Ballon d’Or has lessened since winning the FIFA World Cup with Argentina.
The football icon is a favourite to win this year’s top individual award, however, his focus has shifted since his World Cup triumph.
The former Barcelona star has the highest amount of Ballon d’Or victories in history, but speaking in his first press conference since becoming an Inter Miami player, it’s clear his view on the award has changed.
In the past, Messi has acknowledged the importance of the individual accolade in his career, but he admits now he has transitioned to caring more about team performance.
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He told reporters: “I have said it many times, the Ballon d'Or is very important due to the recognition at an individual level, but I never gave it importance.
“The most important thing for me was always the awards at the group level.
"I was lucky to have achieved everything in my career and after the World Cup, I'm thinking about that award much less, my biggest award was that and I'm disguising my moment.
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“If it arrives, good, and if not, nothing happens. I was lucky to achieve all my goals in my career and now I have new goals with this club."
If the Argentinian were to win the award he would be the first to take home the honour while playing for a side outside of Europe.
He recently joined David Beckham and Jorge Mas-owned Inter Miami in the United States.
Since joining up with his new team he has scored nine goals in six appearances with his side set to play in the Leagues Cup final this weekend.
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The Argentine admitted that he and his family are enjoying their new life.
As per TyC Sports, Messi said: "We are still finishing getting settled, we arrived in Miami a month and a half ago.
"We still don't have the house which we are going to live in, but it was very easy to choose [Miami].
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“We were convinced to come to this place and the people made it very easy, both at the club since we arrived and the fans or the people I meet on the street.
"The city is spectacular and makes it possible for you to live the day quietly and very easily. The children start school soon. While there is little left [to do], it was easier than we thought. It had been complicated [moving] from Barcelona to Paris.”
Messi faces competition for the Ballon d’Or largely from Manchester City players thanks to their historic treble-winning season.
Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne are high up on the list, however, after Messi secured the World Cup in December, it seems only right the award heads his way.