Lionel Messi, a legend of Barcelona football club, became the first player in history to win a record eighth Ballon d’Or on Monday night in Paris. Messi took home the Golden Orb for the 2023 edition of the award after having a fantastic year both for his team and his country.

The Argentine international player, who is presently playing in the Major League Soccer with Inter Miami, was awarded the Ballon d’Or after leading his national team to victory at the FIFA World Cup in December of the previous year, in addition to winning the title of Ligue 1 with PSG. Inter Miami is currently competing in the MLS.

The legend, who is now 36 years old, did not miss to convey his affection for Barcelona, the club where he developed into the best of all time, neither during his speech nor later at the press conference where he participated.

“Just as Aitana said before me, I had the good fortune to play for the greatest club in the history of football and the greatest team in the annals of the game. It opened the door for me to achieve so much success and garner so many individual honors,” Messi stated.

“Barcelona is the greatest club in the history of football, and in the world. It’s a unique club that stands apart from the others in a lot of ways.

The man, who was 36 years old at the time, responded, “Of course I follow Barca,” when he was asked if he still followed Barcelona. It is the club that I adore and will continue to adore for the rest of my life.

“Barcelona have an outstanding squad. In today’s group, we have a good balance of seasoned veterans and up-and-coming talents, which is very crucial in football.

They have prepared themselves to the point where they can compete for this Champions League. There is no question in my mind that they are a candidate; but, they do not need to put any pressure on themselves in order to be the front-runner.

Regarding our parting and our imminent return

Messi departed Barcelona in the summer of 2021 and has been associated with a return to Argentina ever since, despite the fact that nothing of the sort has really come to fruition.

Messi has stated that he wishes to bid goodbye to the fans in a meaningful way and that he supported the concept of having a tribute match for the greatest player who has ever played for the club. The Blaugrana are now working on holding a tribute match for the greatest player who has ever played for the club.

“It was an odd sensation to me when I finally left Barcelona. After everything that had happened to me there, I didn’t want to leave Barcelona in that state. My hometown is Barcelona. He said, “I love this club and I adore the Barca fans, and I will be very grateful to have the opportunity to play for them again.”

“I would like to bid farewell to the fans of Barcelona in a different way. When I departed, I had the impression that the feelings weren’t pleasant. “I’ve been through a lot with these people, both good and bad, and I’ve earned the right to say goodbye to them,” Messi said.

Messi has stated the following regarding the prospect of his future involvement with the club in any capacity: “Barca are the club that saw me grow up, that gave me everything, that I love, and that I also gave everything.”

“Why don’t you join us at the club again? But at this moment, that is not something that is on my mind. In the not too distant future, I hope to have established a home in Barcelona, which will put me in closer proximity to the team. I’m going to be associated with that club, and I have no idea what the repercussions of that will be.