Lionel Messi’s Eighth and Final Ballon d’Or Victory Sparks Debate and Divided Opinions in European Press

After 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, Leo Messi therefore adds his name to the 2023 Ballon d’Or winners. And in the European press, we are rather divided on this result.

In our columns, we suggest that this eighth individual trophy will indeed be the last that La Pulga will win.

Among the titles of the French press, Le Figaro considers that this is a “logical title”. “In the history of football, whatever anyone says, Lionel Messi now sits at the top, for his consistency (8 Ballons d’Or in 19 seasons), his titles (World Cup, Copa America, 4 Leagues of champions, 12 national titles…), his goals and his impact on the game (…) At the top of his art, a legend remains untouchable, like Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods or even Roger Federer, for cite only them”, comment our colleagues.

For Le Parisien, this was Lionel Messi’s eighth and final Golden Ball: “Eighth and final act. Jazz, musicals, classical concerts and even César ceremonies, the Châtelet theater saw go through a whole bunch of performances. But on stage, it’s a unique piece, a possible last of another genre which was performed this Monday with spicy ingredients to give this evening a flavor that it doesn’t have always”.

“A giant among the greatest”

So Foot magazine also discusses the Argentinian’s coronation, believing that it is a victory “by default”. “Unlike the title holder Karim Benzema, whose sporting domination was the consensus last year, Messi therefore finds himself in the role of winner by default. Nothing shocking or surprising, but simply the demonstration – if he does. there was still a need for – the drop in aura or prestige emanating from the Ballon d’Or. (…) It is therefore in this context of a new footballing era, seeing the emergence of a generation of players to whom we ‘don’t speaks more of age’ that Lionel Messi, 36 years old, came to win his eighth and last golden sphere. As if to demonstrate that the Inter Miami scorer was still this giant among the greatest. But we already knew that.” , write our colleagues.

“A victory for Barça’s DNA”

In the columns of Marca, we believe that it is logical that the winner of the World Cup, a trophy which weighs heavily in the awarding of the Ballon d’Or, is given to Messi. “In football, everything is free of opinion but not this time. Leo Messi had to win his eighth Ballon d’Or because in a world of football where the most important thing is the World Cup, whoever wins it has everything to win the Ballon d’Or… And even more if he does it like Leo: with seven goals, three assists, five MVPs out of seven possible and an indisputable domination of Argentina, beyond the crazy final.

In the ranks of Mundo Deportivo, we insisted on the double achieved by Aitana Bonmati, winner of the women’s golden ball and Messi, winner among the men, emphasizing that the DNA of Barça was once again very present during the ceremony organized at the Théâtre du Châtelet. “At the epicenter of world football, Barça has once again monopolized a large part of the scene with two exceptional ambassadors: Aitana Bonmatí and Leo Messi, both trained at La Masia. The Argentinian, catapulted to the rank of world celebrity from the Camp Nou, confirmed his absolute reign to become, without dispute, the best player of all time by winning his eighth Ballon d’Or, the only one whose merit is solely attributable to the national team.

“He increases his lead over Ronaldo”

In Italy, Gazzetta dello Sport claims that this time, “Messi’s reign is over”. In England, it was inevitable to mention Lionel Messi without mentioning Cristiano Ronaldo, ex-Manchester United player. Sky Sports has it: “The former Barcelona striker’s victory increases his lead over five-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo. The 38-year-old Portuguese international, who plays for Saudi side Al Nassr, was not included in the shortlist for the first time since 2003.

2023-10-31 12:42:12
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