Messi represented his Major League Soccer team
A pregame ceremony came to an end as fireworks lit up the sky, and Lionel Messi held the Ballon d’Or over his head. And with that, Inter Miami will once again be able to honor the best player in the history of the game in 2023. In a friendly match versus New York City FC on Friday night, Messi represented his Major League Soccer team.
Messi holding trophy in left hand
The game was organized to celebrate his eighth time winning the Ballon d’Or, which is awarded to the best player in the league annually, at a black-tie event in Paris last month. That accolade has never been won by another player more than five times. Messi crossed the field to midfield on a gold carpet, holding the trophy in his left hand.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber waiting for Messi
MLS Commissioner Don Garber was among those waiting for Messi to arrive for a little pregame ceremony. As the stadium erupted, he gave Garber, Inter Miami owners Jorge and Jose Mas, an embrace before raising the trophy. Messi remarked, “It’s beautiful to share it with you all.” “Even though I haven’t been here long, it feels like a long time.”
Here’s how significant the occasion was: Garber even took out his smartphone to capture the moment. According to Garber, “You Inter Miami supporters have the best player who’s ever played the game.” “Leo, thank you for your belief in Major League Soccer and your dedication to achieving your team and your league a league of choice.
Perfect end to Messi’s first four club months
You are the winner of your eighth Ballon d’Or and the guy who lifted the Leagues Cup as captain for your team.” It was the ideal way to cap off Messi’s first four months of official club membership: Year 1 began with an on-field celebration and concluded with a celebration that hinted at Year 2.
Inter Miami coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino declared, “He’s the main star of this match and we want to join him in celebrating his eighth Ballon d’Or.” It’s a chance for us to compete as well. Even if it’s just a friendly, it’s still a chance for the public to see Leo and his teammates play and bid the year farewell. At least on home ground, it was an added opportunity for a dieu.
More than three weeks ago, Inter Miami finalized their home schedule. Messi was not in action on that particular night since he had just returned from two World Cup qualifiers with Argentina. Earlier this month, Inter Miami was scheduled to play two games in China; however, due to what the team described as “unforeseen circumstances,” that trip was canceled.
After that plan fell through, Inter Miami decided to try something different and convinced NYCFC to play an exhibition match between sides who weren’t in the running for the MLS playoffs. Messi arrived at the team facilities the morning after winning the Ballon d’Or in Paris and spent the majority of the last two weeks exercising with the team.
Messi remarked, “I would like to thank not just the people here in the stadium, but all of Miami.” “You’ve made me feel at home with the way you’ve treated my family and me.” Messi is expected to play at least twice more in 2023. Argentina has World Cup qualifying matches against Uruguay (in Buenos Aires) on November 16 and Brazil (in Rio de Janeiro) on November 21.
Messi had not played a game since Inter Miami’s MLS finals on October 21. With the possibility of an MLS regular season commencing in late February, the team will probably start practicing for 2024 in January. Inter Miami, which won the Leagues Cup, its first-ever prize, soon after signing Messi this summer, will have a busy year.
In addition to the MLS schedule in 2024, the team will participate in that competition in addition to the U.S. The CONCACAF Champions Cup and the Open Cup. “Next year will be much better, I’m sure of it,” Messi declared. “I hope you are with me as we continue to enjoy ourselves and strive to win more titles.” Martino was questioned this week regarding Messi’s motivation.
The optimum response, according to him, would be Messi’s practice-level competitiveness. Martino remarked, “You wouldn’t even have to ask the question if you saw those.” “You would understand what I mean immediately.” There are discussions in several sports about who the greatest of all time (GOAT) is. LeBron James or Michael Jordan play basketball. Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods are golf’s icons.
In men’s tennis, there is Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer. There may still be debates over football. Eight Ballon d’Or trophies, though, undoubtedly skew the odds in Messi’s favor. “I think it’s over,” declared Benjamin Cremaschi, an 18-year-old forward for Inter Miami.
Messi, who was only 2 months old when he scored his first goal for Barcelona in 2005, was a baby-faced, shaggy-haired youngster back then, rather than the bearded, close-cropped look he has now. “Over the past eighteen years, he has been proving that. He is, in my opinion, the greatest player in history and the best player in the world. Furthermore, I’m not sure how many others disagree. Though it’s clearly a little biased, no one has yet impressed me more, in my opinion.
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