Lionel Messi has just been honored by the Argentina FA for winning his record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or award. The ceremony took place before Argentina’s World Cup qualifying match against Uruguay, where fans were eager to see their team attempt to qualify for the 2026 tournament. Messi was greeted by Argentina FA president Claudio Tapia and former teammate Juan Roman Riquelme, and received a plaque commemorating his achievement.
The recognition comes at the end of an exciting 2023 season for Messi, which will conclude after these World Cup qualifiers. After winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Messi resumed playing for his club side Paris Saint-Germain, where he won the league despite a rocky relationship with the club’s supporters. Following the expiration of his contract, he made the decision to move to Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami, where he won a Leagues Cup title but missed out on other major competitions.
After these two qualifiers for Argentina, Messi will finally get a well-deserved rest. DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news for those looking to stay updated on sports around the world.