Glitter like dad: Lionel Messi with his family at the Ballon d’Or awards ceremony in Paris. (Image: Imago)
Criticism of style
Many celebrities appear as partners with their children; now also Lionel Messi at the award ceremony of the Ballon d’Or. Why shouldn’t that be dramatized?
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Lionel Messi was named best footballer in the world for the seventh time with the Ballon d’Or on Monday 29 November 2021. His wife Antonella Roccuzzo accompanied him to the award ceremony in Paris in a golden robe – and his three sons Thiago, 9, Matheo, 6, Ciro, 3, all three dressed in miniature versions of their dad’s glittering suit. That was well received on the internet. It is also not the first time that the family has used the keyboard of the Mini-Me look; Christmas a year ago they were already betting on red satin pajamas from Dolce & Gabbana.
Other celebrities also like to partner up with their children; Two weeks ago tennis player Serena Williams appeared with daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr, 4, at a film premiere in the Mini-Me look. What tends to be ridiculed as a partner look in adults, increases the “joe effect” in children; of course, many want to benefit from this. Especially when it comes to generating as many clicks as possible on social networks. There is already a lot of debate about whether it is okay to sacrifice one’s children’s privacy for media attention.
Jöö effect for clicks?
–Serena Williams and her daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr at the film premiere of “King Richard” in Los Angeles on November 14, 2021. (Image: Keystone)
But what one should not forget before accusing Messi and Williams of child labor: It is more than understandable that you want to share the big moments in your life with your family. In addition, there is actually a time window of several years in which children fervently celebrate a real fan cult for their parents. And who doesn’t want to look like their idol? Nor is it worth singing the funeral song for the poor celebrity kids. Yes, growing up in the spotlight sure has its drawbacks. But also advantages; just as it is in every other life.
Nose picking in a glitter suit
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But what else you can take with you from the Ballon d’Or award ceremony: Wearing the same glittery suit as your dad does not protect you from undesirable behavior, regardless of whether you are a celebrity or normal offspring. The fact that the ceremony was not a hit with the children lolling around in their seats was understood at the latest when the youngest started picking his nose out of desperate boredom.
