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Football great Lionel Messi donated his 8th Ballon d’Or award to the Barcelona Museum, demonstrating his unwavering love and bond with his former club. Currently leading the Major League Soccer club Inter Miami, Messi won another Ballon d’Or for a record 8th time in October 2023, defeating Norway’s UEFA Player of the Year and treble winner Erling Haaland. The 36-year-old was awarded the prestigious honour after a stellar performance in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where he led his side to their first WC victory in 36 years.
Despite leaving Barcelona in 2021 after spending 21 years in the club, Messi continues to maintain strong ties with his previous club. In a heartening gesture, the Argentine maestro donated his eighth Ballon d’Or trophy to the Barcelona Museum. Abiding by Barcelona’s motto, “Mes Que Un Club” (More than a club), Messi decided to share his latest award with the museum, where it will be kept with his previous seven awards.
Lionel Messi donates eighth Ballon d’Or Award to Barcelona Museum
According to Spanish journalist Miquel Blazquez, the Inter Miami star decided to give away his 8th Ballon d’Or to the museum as a mark of affection and respect for the club that helped him shape his career. Blazquez wrote in a tweet that translated to, “Leo Messi has donated his eighth Ballon d'Or to the Barça museum. Although he did not win it as a Barça footballer, the Argentine star has made the gesture of giving it up so that it can be displayed along with the other seven he has won. Impossible not to miss him. #FCBarcelona”
Lionel Messi’s win was surrounded by controversy and several pundits and former players. Apart from this, several questioned him despite playing for Miami, why he sent his Ballon d’Or to the Barca Museum. Meanwhile, it was only due to a simple gesture because he won six of his Ballon d’Or with Barcelona in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, and 2019. He won his seventh trophy with PSG in 2021, which was also sent to the Barca Museum to carry the legacy.
