‘Never before, best of all time, GOAT’ We live in the era of Messi... 8th Ballon d’Or winner

Lionel Messi once again confirmed to the world that he is the best player in history. 'France Football', the organizer of the Ballon d'Or, held the 2023 Ballon d'Or award ceremony at the Châtelet The

Although he came close to winning the 2014 World Cup, the trophy was not Messi's. Messi, who could not even score a goal beyond the round of 16 in the last four World Cups, was inevitably compared to Diego Maradona and Pele in the competition to determine who is the best player in world soccer history.

The tournament that ended all bad ties with the World Cup was the 2022 Qatar World Cup. As Argentina lost its first group match against Saudi Arabia, I wondered if the nightmare on the World Cup stage would repeat itself again, but Argentina 2022 was different. After the loss, he began to show a completely different side.

In Argentina's tight-knit team system, Messi soared as the team progressed toward the trophy. He activated the 'hard carry' mode by scoring 1 goal against Australia in the round of 16, 1 goal and 1 assist against Netherlands in the quarterfinals, 1 goal and 1 assist against Croatia in the semifinals, and 2 goals in the long-awaited final against France. 지울프-토토

Messi, who won the game dramatically after a penalty shootout, surpassed Maradona and Pele by winning the Golden Ball, given to the best player in the World Cup, with 7 goals and 3 assists. It was the moment when Messi ascended to the position of the best player in soccer history.

As Messi's 8th Ballon d'Or award was reported as a fait accompli, attention focused on whether Messi would shave or not. The reason why all eyes are focused on whether Messi will shave his head is because he cleans up his appearance every time the Ballon d'Or ceremony is held. Messi always appeared with a neat appearance at the Ballon d'Or awards ceremony.

Messi has ranked highest at the Ballon d'Or award ceremony a whopping seven times so far. It is a record that no one has achieved in the history of soccer. Of the seven award ceremonies, Messi appeared with his beard trimmed six times. At the 2019 Ballon d'Or ceremony, he appeared with his beard completely unkempt, but he neatly trimmed it for the awards ceremony. In any case, Messi is said to clean up his appearance before the awards ceremony.

Messi looked unshaven during the international match last October, but he also appeared with a well-groomed appearance at the Ballon d'Or award ceremony. She was the only respect that Messi showed ahead of the prestigious Ballon d'Or award ceremony.

In fact, she said that Messi did not have much desire for this Ballon d'Or. After his move to Inter Miami, Messi said: "I've said it many times, but the Ballon d'Or is very important on a personal level, but I've never given it any more importance. What has always been most important to me has been winning at team level. I've been lucky enough to win my team. "I was able to achieve everything during my career," he said, indicating that he would focus more on winning the team rather than winning the Ballon d'Or.

He added: "After the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, I'm thinking a lot less about the Ballon d'Or. Winning the World Cup was the biggest award for me. It would be great to win the Ballon d'Or, but if I don't win it, nothing happens. “I achieved my goal, and I have a new goal at Inter Miami,” he said, showing little interest in winning the Ballon d’Or

Contrary to Messi's thoughts, the world expected the best player in soccer history to only win the Ballon d'Or award. This was because it could be the first Ballon d'Or to be awarded to a player playing in a country outside of Europe. Additionally, if Messi wins his 8th Ballon d'Or, Argentina could become the country with the most Ballon d'Or awards ever.

The previous record was tied between Argentina and Portugal. In Argentina, Messi alone won the award seven times, and in Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo won it five times, Eusebio once, and Luis Figo once. Messi single-handedly became a player who surpassed all countries and players.

‘French Football’ announced its rankings one by one even before the awards ceremony began in earnest. The announced rankings are 30th Ruben Dias (Manchester City), 20th Martin Odegaard (Arsenal), 28th Randall Colo Muani (Paris Saint-Germain), 27th Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan), and 26th Jamal Musiala (Bayern). Munich), and 25th place was Joszko Gvardiol (Man City).

Dias and Gvardiol, two center backs who were among the 30 finalists for the Ballon d'Or along with Min-jae Kim, were ranked before Min-jae Kim. Regardless of the ranking, Kim Min-jae became the best center back, taking the highest position at the 2023 Ballon d'Or awards.

Kim Min-jae was ranked 22nd after Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), 24th, and Andre Onana (Manchester United), 23rd, were revealed. Kim Min-jae, who became the first center back in Asian history to be among the 30 finalists for the Ballon d'Or, finished his first Ballon d'Or award ceremony with a high ranking of 22nd.

In 21st place above Minjae Kim was Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid). Continuing from 20th to 11th place are Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan), Harry Kane (Munich), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Hvicha Kvarachelia (Napoli), Karim Benzema (Al Ittihad), and Emiliano Martinez. (Aston Villa), Ilkay Gundogan (Barcelona), Yassin Bunou (Al Hilal), Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona), and Mohamed Salah (Liverpool).

Lastly, the 10th to 4th places are Luka Modric (Real), Bernardo Silva (Man City), Victor Osimhen (Napoli), Julian Alvarez (Man City), Vinicius Junior (Redkf), Rodri (Manchester City), and Kevin Derrick. Even Bruyne (Man City) was named.

As expected, Erling Holland (Man City) and Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain) joined Messi on the Ballon d'Or podium. The presence of the two players who could keep Messi in check was also great in the 2022-23 season. First, Holan rewrote all records related to scoring at Manchester City.

Manchester City, who needed a perfect spear, soared like crazy when they were equipped with the world's best weapon in Holland. In the Premier League (PL), they beat Arsenal and won the championship. Manchester City, who increased their chances of a treble by winning the FA Cup, achieved a great feat by winning the UEFA Champions League (UCL) with Holland at the forefront.

Last season, Holland was the top scorer in the PL and UCL with 52 goals in 53 games for Manchester City, and then scored 4 goals in 4 games for the Norwegian national team, scoring a total of 56 goals in 57 games.

Mbappe's club performance was disappointing due to PSG's poor performance, but his performance in the World Cup was outstanding. He completely threatened Argentina and Messi. In the final, Mbappe appeared when France was in crisis at 0-2. He scored multiple goals, taking the game into overtime, and eventually scored a hat trick, showing great competition with Messi. Mbappe showed himself as more than just a loseR

However, the final award, without any surprise, belonged to Messi. Messi had said that he did not care about winning the Ballon d'Or, but when he got on the podium, he smiled and said, "I am happy to come here once again to enjoy this moment. To win the World Cup and make my dream come true. The Ballon d'Or is special for many reasons."

Messi did not forget his gratitude to Barcelona for making him the player he is today. Messi also showed his affection for his former team, saying, "I could not have imagined the career I have had, everything I have achieved, and the luck I have had to be a part of the best team in history. I want to return to Barcelona someday."

Messi even showed his dignity as a senior. He even showed the respect of a winner, saying, "I don't want to forget Holland and Mbappe, who had an amazing year. Holland achieved everything and there is no doubt that he will receive the award next year."

Regarding Mbappe, he said: "Mbappe and I had a few words and asked how he was doing. We have a good relationship and we fight for the same goals. We have a completely normal relationship. I stopped my stay in Paris for various reasons. “I had to do it, but it was really fun,” he said.

The player Messi did not forget on the podium was his senior, Diego Maradona, whom he could no longer meet. He also paid tribute to Maradona, saying, "I want to say a word to Maradona. Today is his birthday, and I don't think there is a better place to celebrate his birthday. This is an award for Maradona. He is the only person in the world I miss." .

As the Ballon d'Or ceremony ended, Messi's current team, Miami, showed a witty side. Changed the club emblem placed on SNS. Messi's name was inserted in the center, and "felicidades (congratulations)" was inserted on the border. There was a goat symbolizing ‘GOAT (greatest of all time)’ in the exact center.

Miami is now able to have a Ballon d'Or winner for the first time since its founding. The evaluation standard is last season, but the current team, Miami, will be listed as the affiliated team. It is the first time that a non-European club has produced a Ballon d'Or winner, but Miami has also become a part of new history.

At this awards ceremony, there were several awards other than the Ballon d'Or award ceremony. First, the 'Trophy Gerd Müller' award, given to the player who scores the most goals for both club and national team in one season, went to Holland. This award is a trophy dedicated to Gerd Müller, who passed away in August 2021. Last season, Holland scored 52 goals in 53 games for Manchester City and 4 goals in 4 games for the Norwegian national team, scoring a total of 56 goals in 57 games.

The Yashin Award, given to the world's best goalkeeper, went to Martinez, who led Argentina to victory in the 2022 Qatar International Football Federation (FIFA) World Cup. The 2023 candidates are Emiliano, Onana (Manchester United), Ter Stegen (Barcelona), Dominic Livakovic (Fenerbahce), Bunu, Ederson (Manchester City), Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), and Aaron Ramsdale. (Arsenal), Mike Meignan (AC Milan), and Bryce Samba (RC Lens) were named.

Jude Bellingham won the 'Kopa Trophy', also known as the Ballon d'Or for players under 21 years of age. Midfielder Bellingham played a leading role in leading the team to second place last season with Dortmund, scoring 14 goals and 7 assists in 42 official games. His performance in the England national team was also outstanding, and he had the best season of his life.