Lionel Messi secured his eighth Ballon d’Or accolade during the 2023 ceremony held in Paris, France, on Monday night. While addressing those in attendance, he expressed his immense satisfaction in achieving a long-held ambition by clinching the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with Argentina.
He also contemplated his future, affirming that he intends to continue playing as long as he remains in good physical condition and can compete.
“I’m delighted to be here once more, to be able to enjoy this moment one more time. To be able to win the World Cup and really achieve my dream, I want to share this with all those who were involved.”
He was asked if this award was special, and he replied: “They’re all special these awards, the most special is the team prizes. It’s always special to be recognized.
LIONEL MESSI ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️@BALLON_DOR9#BallonDorpic.twitter.com/IqhTu52f4B
— BALLON D’OR (@BALLON_DOR9) October 30, 2023
“I couldn’t have dreamed of having the career that I had, everything I’ve achieved. To have the success, the fortune I’ve had. The best team in the world, the best team in history, makes it so much easier to win so many titles, to win these individual prizes. To win the Copa America and then to get the World Cup, after so many difficult moments in the national team.”
Messi is now enjoying a post-season break after Inter Miami’s season in MLS came to an end, and he discussed how his life in the United States.
He continued: “I’m very happy to be at Inter Miami and find myself in the situation I’m in. I’m enjoying some different moments in life with my family.
“Being a world champion was fantastic. I feel so calm right now with this prize. To be able to have the career I’ve had, and enjoy football as much as I have.
Of his future, he added:
“I don’t know how much longer I’ll be going for, but I’m inclined to enjoy it. I’ve been saying it a lot lately, I want to keep enjoying [it]. I don’t how long [I will keep playing], as long as I am fit physically and can compete, I am going to keep doing it.
“I can’t put a number on anything because football changes so much from day to day. I wish it would be for a long time because it is what I know and love to do. So, I wish to keep going”.
