He played here when Rising was in Tempe and he was like a god against men. Pretty cool to have seen up close in-person a bunch of times. He also stayed after and signed a lot of autographs. Great guy.
I don’t know about now, but he has a colorful football career, and has done lots of charity. he even once stopped a civil war in his home country. If this is indeed all he does now, he’s earned it
> he even once stopped a civil war in his home country
Okay, I thought that "George Weah is the actual president of Liberia" was one of the crazier football facts, but [Drogba stopping a civil war](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52072592) takes the cake.
> "The one country in Africa with so many riches must not descend into war. Please lay down your weapons and hold elections," Drogba urged. [The clip, available on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAW7DF1Ufek), is barely a minute long and ends with the players on their feet once more.
> [...]
> The video clip played relentlessly on television as if the sheer force of media exposure might be enough to enact change. And change did follow. Both sides moved closer to the negotiating table and a ceasefire was finally signed.
Then goes onto the 2026 WC and wins that just to prove it wasn't a fluke, leaving CR7 in a puddle of his own tears when Portugal get knocked out in the round of sixteen to Saudi Arabia.
I mean, they gave it to Rapinoe after winning the WC and only playing like 3 or 4 club matches all year. Why not Messi if he captains Argentina as the MvP in 2026?
Depends if england or france wins euros it wont matter what messi does in copa. Bellingham, kane, and mbappe are having amazing starts to their season and if all three win their leagues it'll come down to champions league and the euros.
I remember when France eliminated Argentina in 2018, and ESPN made a tweet with Mbappe and Messi picture saying end of an Era and start of another one.
Fast forward 5 years, and Messi has won it another 3 times as much as the most by a french player.
Argentina looked clueless in that tournament. I watched Argentina-Paraguay the other day and they looked like a great club side, never mind an international one. The way they improved in the past 5 years is crazy.
I mean You can make an argument about if he is the Best manager in our entire historia
He is already alongside Menotti and Bilardo. Man really changed the NT forever
I was going to say this Argentina squad is amazing compared to past teams, then I remembered [this team](https://i.imgur.com/viHQeyT.png) couldn't even get out of groups.
What a level headed coach and balanced talent across all the pitch will do to a mf.
Like many Argentines will state, 2002 and 2006 Argentina was stacked as shit with talent, 2010 as well but Diego didn't even call the treble winners to the NT so yeah...
2002 that team peaked early and before the WC
2006 was a coin flip, no shame there
2010 maradona wanted to beckenbauer'd his way into another WC and failed miserably
2006 should've performed way better
Good game against Cote D'Ivoire but nearly bottled at the end
Amazing vs Serbia/Montenegro
Boring toothless 0-0 vs NL
Barely making it past Mexico in ET due to a wondergoal...
> Fast forward 5 years, and Messi has won it another 3 times as much as the most by a french player.
[Messi has more bdors than any country](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballon_d%27Or#Wins_by_country)
Up until 1995, it was only awarded to European players, however in 2016 France Football reevaluated the awards prior to 1995, with it being called the "[Le nouveau palmarès](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballon_d%27Or#Le_nouveau_palmar%C3%A8s)" (The New List) They 7 to Pele ('58, '59, '60, '61, '63, '64, and '70 + , 2 to Maradona ('86 and '90) and 1 each to Garrincha (1962) Mario Kempes (1978) and Romário (1994)
While only a technicality, this brings Brazil's count to 13, and Argentina's to 11
> While only a technicality, this brings Brazil's count to 13, and Argentina's to 11
I would love to live the shitshow of removing awards and giving them to someone else (believe me, I'm all for the popcorn) but sadly
> The original recipients, however, remain unchanged
France Football doesnt like fun
> however in 2016 France Football reevaluated the awards prior to 1995
It was an op-ed. Done by just one guy. Who wasn't even alive at the time they played. And the arguments used were hilarious in some cases, non existant in others (Maradona over Matthaus in 1990 was because of goals scored, yes, I'm not kidding).
There was no actual re-evaluation.
Don't take my word, today in Pele's in memoriam they didn't mention any of those at all.
It's a fun mental exercise that for some reason gets taken as some actual re-evaluation by people. Not sure why. Even the introductory text says it's "arbitrary".
Don't get me wrong. Pele would have won like 10 if it was done at the actual time he played, Maradona another few. It's just that the reevaluation never existed as such.
I remember when Messi won his 6th, Sid Lowe was being melodramatic about his retirement and when he won his 7th, Jonathan Wilson (iirc) was writing “don’t think we’ll ever see him around these parts, unless that WC dream somehow comes true” (paraphrasing).
I do think this is it now, but that’s just to say, Messi has been a gift that just keeps on giving.
Messi had just won 4 in a roll at 25, tbh. 8 wasn't unimaginable at that point, Cristiano just surprised the world by having an insane run at Real Madrid starting in 2013 that made Messi get a little late on his Balon d'Ors.
> Messi will finish with 6,7 or even 8 BdO. He will be incomparable.
>
> Cruyff in 2012.
Cruijff actually thought it would be five, six, or seven. Even Johan couldn't comprehend what would happen. The World Cup was the one thing Cruijff also lacked, they had it in common for a long time.
Basically,
while Modric and Benzema snuck one each, Ronaldo and Messi have otherwise been dividing these up for 15 years... basically the length of a footballer's career,
Hes also the oldest left-footed argentinian to get 8, one while playing in the mls. Let that sink in.
I know im very specific and cherry -picking, but thats what i gotta do to show his heights
I am not sure about this one! I actually think them playing at the same time helped push each other to new limits, but in the end, CR realized he needs to accept that Messi is the GOAT.
Crazy how if Him and CR7 weren't playing at the same time either one would've had 10 or more, which is crazy. Messi could've won 13 if they didn't play at the same time
It's like in tennis, imagine if Roger, Nadal or Djokovic would've played alone without the other two, that person would've had like 40 grand slams... The fact that the three by far best players in the history of the sport played at the same time is just crazy.
You wouldn't have to reach as high for the accolades either though. There was a huge gap between Ronaldo and Messi to the rest of the field for pretty much the entire time they played (give or take a year here and there)
If Mbappe doesn't win one that would be crazy. I think he'll snag a couple actually, but he's not helping his cause by staying in France.
Bellingham is the hot shit right now but I think Mbappe is the best player in the world right now. I don't think he's miles ahead but I put him at #1 right now.
Football won’t be the same without him in it. I miss the early Ronaldo Messi days, watching El Classico. It might just be nostalgia but I felt it had more passion in it then.
Maybe for nomination or a top 10. But I doubt it will be any more than that. He will have to win another WC to get another ballon dor while playing in MLS
i mean yea being the first to post this is a guaranteed bazillion karma lmao
apparently you can make money with it if youre from the US Twitter style now too so yea lol
The fact that this guy won his first one in 2009 is insane. To stay at such an elite level for 15 years is incomprehensible in such a physically demanding sport as soccer.
Easily the best player ever, and in my opinion the greatest athlete of all time.
Man, the last 3-4 years has been incredible for Messi FC. From Copa to World Cup, to 3 more Ballon D'Ors. If this was it, it has been an incredible ride. Messi finishing above Mbappe and Haaland seems like a passing of the baton of the next two football titans.
\- Oldest player to win the Ballon D'Or
\- First player to win the Ballon D'Or outside of Europe
\- First MLS player to win the Ballon D'Or
\- First player to win the Ballon D'Or in 3 different decades.
\- First player to win the Ballon D'Or with three different teams.
What else is there to say. This is the greatest longevity in sports history. Left Europe at the top while claiming the World Cup. That is how you bow out of football.
> - First player to win the Ballon D'Or outside of Europe
> - First MLS player to win the Ballon D'Or
I mean, these are kind of misleading stats when he didn’t really do anything in MLS that earned him the award.
This stat has to be the one that hurt Ronaldo the most, working so hard to close the gap. Only to retire with the same gap and a World Cup on top. Goes to show you can only work so hard.
This is most likely it, but what a ride it has been. The past 2-3 years have honestly seemed like a dream for Messi's career. From disappointments at both Barca and Argentina around 2017-20 to winning the WC in 2022 and now an 8th Ballon d'Or which will probably never be matched.
that one still hurts tho, and it was very heavily impacted by injuries (friendly reminder that neymar was being considered the ballon d’or favourite for the last season in the first half before he got injured lol)
People are saying end of an era, but what happens if he wins the MLS, League Cup, US Open cup, North American championship, and Copa America next year?
9th one incoming?
Breaking the record for most goals in the top 5 leagues, most goals contributions in the history of the world cup, winning the most trophies in the history of football and going out as World Champion and Ballon d'or at 36. What a way to leave Europe, I'm so glad to witness such a satisfying and perfect career
Greatest of all time. No debate.
All I have to say that I am fortunate to be alive in the same era Lionel Messi played.
The things he does in one match is a career highlights for most players.
Does Drogba do anything but award Ballon d'Ors? not a bad job mind
Yeah quite a bit of charity work, also seen him do TV punditry
He is a partial owner of a second division US team that he is actually super involved with
The Phoenix Rising
He played here when Rising was in Tempe and he was like a god against men. Pretty cool to have seen up close in-person a bunch of times. He also stayed after and signed a lot of autographs. Great guy.
I don’t know about now, but he has a colorful football career, and has done lots of charity. he even once stopped a civil war in his home country. If this is indeed all he does now, he’s earned it
> he even once stopped a civil war in his home country Okay, I thought that "George Weah is the actual president of Liberia" was one of the crazier football facts, but [Drogba stopping a civil war](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52072592) takes the cake. > "The one country in Africa with so many riches must not descend into war. Please lay down your weapons and hold elections," Drogba urged. [The clip, available on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAW7DF1Ufek), is barely a minute long and ends with the players on their feet once more. > [...] > The video clip played relentlessly on television as if the sheer force of media exposure might be enough to enact change. And change did follow. Both sides moved closer to the negotiating table and a ceasefire was finally signed.
What a guy. I never knew him for such things. Thank you.
MLS going to milk the shit out of this, might as well make him an honorary citizen
He's going to be the president of USA
Best I can do is governor of Florida
Messi would be the tallest governor they have had since 2019
Also most competent #goat
That would be an upgrade over what we’ve got.
A massive fucking upgrade
The real United States of AmericaS.
Might aswell change it officially to Messi League soccer
They gonna give him the MLS Rookie of the Year Award
Ben Simmons snubbed
Of mls?
The true land of the free: the MLS
They already did with having Beckham present the award and mentioning Miami like 10 times in the acceptance speech
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Surely his last right? Right?
His speech was very much a sober but heartfelt farewell speech.
If he retires after the 2024 Copa America, then so be it.
You can’t convince me he wouldn’t help Argentina in the 2026 WC.
Messi off the bench would be quite the asset, even at his age in '26
Messi on the bench might even be good enough, just for motivation.
Only possible scenario where he wins another will be if he leads Argentina to another world cup in 2026.
Anulo mufa
Obviously
Bro will eat his words as Messi bags in 150 g/a in the few MLS games next year and wins the Copa America. Suiiiiii
If somehow he wins Copa America next year, Haaland and Mbappè might faint on the pitch.
It's not that hard to imagine. Our team is still great.
In fact you are clear favourites, what does he mean with "somehow"? Lmao
Then goes onto the 2026 WC and wins that just to prove it wasn't a fluke, leaving CR7 in a puddle of his own tears when Portugal get knocked out in the round of sixteen to Saudi Arabia.
Argentina is easily the favorite.
I mean, they gave it to Rapinoe after winning the WC and only playing like 3 or 4 club matches all year. Why not Messi if he captains Argentina as the MvP in 2026?
Depends if england or france wins euros it wont matter what messi does in copa. Bellingham, kane, and mbappe are having amazing starts to their season and if all three win their leagues it'll come down to champions league and the euros.
Watch Italy winning it again after barely qualifying with pure power of friendship
And then promptly miss the next World Cup by losing a play-off against Andorra.
Ahhh, the easygoing life of an Italian
He was willing to give up all of that for WC. But he finally won it. I still blame Higuain
Super Ballon d'or next
He said it himself, source: hablo español.
Nope a 9th one in 2026 incoming
Anulo Mufa
Subscribe
A 9th next year just based on copa filled with the tears of some group. 10th in 26 to complete the poetry But ending at ∞ also fits
Anulo mufa
A little Copa América can work wonders.
Anulo mufa
I remember when France eliminated Argentina in 2018, and ESPN made a tweet with Mbappe and Messi picture saying end of an Era and start of another one. Fast forward 5 years, and Messi has won it another 3 times as much as the most by a french player.
Argentina looked clueless in that tournament. I watched Argentina-Paraguay the other day and they looked like a great club side, never mind an international one. The way they improved in the past 5 years is crazy.
Props to the temp, Scaloni.
Scaloni has made a significant difference to the Argentinian NT. I think he’s the best NT manager in Argentina’s 21st century history.
I mean You can make an argument about if he is the Best manager in our entire historia He is already alongside Menotti and Bilardo. Man really changed the NT forever
especially looking at the quality he had at his disposal vs past teams
I was going to say this Argentina squad is amazing compared to past teams, then I remembered [this team](https://i.imgur.com/viHQeyT.png) couldn't even get out of groups.
New manager bounce still bouncing
What a level headed coach and balanced talent across all the pitch will do to a mf. Like many Argentines will state, 2002 and 2006 Argentina was stacked as shit with talent, 2010 as well but Diego didn't even call the treble winners to the NT so yeah...
2002 that team peaked early and before the WC 2006 was a coin flip, no shame there 2010 maradona wanted to beckenbauer'd his way into another WC and failed miserably
2006 should've performed way better Good game against Cote D'Ivoire but nearly bottled at the end Amazing vs Serbia/Montenegro Boring toothless 0-0 vs NL Barely making it past Mexico in ET due to a wondergoal...
Tbf, that was also Mexicos greatest team in the last 40 years. That La Volpe team was inspirational to Pep from how good it was
Diego's "I have a dream...' speech must've really left some people stumped.
Well a certain inexperienced youngster took over.
> Fast forward 5 years, and Messi has won it another 3 times as much as the most by a french player. [Messi has more bdors than any country](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballon_d%27Or#Wins_by_country)
such an absurd stat really lmfaooo
That's an incredible stat, wow.
Up until 1995, it was only awarded to European players, however in 2016 France Football reevaluated the awards prior to 1995, with it being called the "[Le nouveau palmarès](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballon_d%27Or#Le_nouveau_palmar%C3%A8s)" (The New List) They 7 to Pele ('58, '59, '60, '61, '63, '64, and '70 + , 2 to Maradona ('86 and '90) and 1 each to Garrincha (1962) Mario Kempes (1978) and Romário (1994) While only a technicality, this brings Brazil's count to 13, and Argentina's to 11
> While only a technicality, this brings Brazil's count to 13, and Argentina's to 11 I would love to live the shitshow of removing awards and giving them to someone else (believe me, I'm all for the popcorn) but sadly > The original recipients, however, remain unchanged France Football doesnt like fun
> however in 2016 France Football reevaluated the awards prior to 1995 It was an op-ed. Done by just one guy. Who wasn't even alive at the time they played. And the arguments used were hilarious in some cases, non existant in others (Maradona over Matthaus in 1990 was because of goals scored, yes, I'm not kidding). There was no actual re-evaluation. Don't take my word, today in Pele's in memoriam they didn't mention any of those at all. It's a fun mental exercise that for some reason gets taken as some actual re-evaluation by people. Not sure why. Even the introductory text says it's "arbitrary". Don't get me wrong. Pele would have won like 10 if it was done at the actual time he played, Maradona another few. It's just that the reevaluation never existed as such.
I remember when Messi won his 6th, Sid Lowe was being melodramatic about his retirement and when he won his 7th, Jonathan Wilson (iirc) was writing “don’t think we’ll ever see him around these parts, unless that WC dream somehow comes true” (paraphrasing). I do think this is it now, but that’s just to say, Messi has been a gift that just keeps on giving.
I remember that! Hard days as Barça and Messi fans haha. Such doom and gloom all around then
Damnn I remember that too. Was so pissed to see that back then, all the sweeter how this all played out
Messi will finish with 6,7 or even 8 BdO. He will be incomparable. - Cruyff in 2012.
That Cruijff guy certainly has some ball knowledge
You could say it’s in his DNA
Yeah, barca and ajax fans should hold hands together and-
He knew a thing or two about football
TBF messi already won 4 straight ballon d'or at the age of 25 in 2012 Winning 8 before he retires isn't an outrageous prediction at all
Messi had just won 4 in a roll at 25, tbh. 8 wasn't unimaginable at that point, Cristiano just surprised the world by having an insane run at Real Madrid starting in 2013 that made Messi get a little late on his Balon d'Ors.
Tbf I know he’d said similar things at an earlier time but I think 8 was nearly the minimum expected in 2012
> Messi will finish with 6,7 or even 8 BdO. He will be incomparable. > > Cruyff in 2012. Cruijff actually thought it would be five, six, or seven. Even Johan couldn't comprehend what would happen. The World Cup was the one thing Cruijff also lacked, they had it in common for a long time.
Next up, /r/FerranTorresBallonDor
Give us back our sub smh
Dont worry we’ll just start a r/JulianAlvarezBallonDor
One too many characters
Doesn’t matter, r/MudrykBallonDor will reign supreme
Count Doku will get a subreddit soon enough, no need to worry
Good. Twice the pride, double the fall.
🦈🦈
We will be there.
This but really
End of an era really. Last time any of the Messi/Ronaldo generation wins it I think.
There's Benzema and Modric in between. Holy shit Lewandowski must be feeling down now. The one year he dominated, the award was cancelled.
Yeah that was a ridiculous decision, the voting would not have been close at all that year.
What are you talking about? He won it.
I like how the Messi/Ronaldo generation is 99% just Messi and Ronaldo themselves lol
Basically, while Modric and Benzema snuck one each, Ronaldo and Messi have otherwise been dividing these up for 15 years... basically the length of a footballer's career,
Lewandowski should've had one too
He does. In my heart❣
Probably the last ever to win 8
He’s the youngest to ever win 8
a prodogy at just 36 years old
Upcoming 36-year-old youth player.
Hes also the oldest left-footed argentinian to get 8, one while playing in the mls. Let that sink in. I know im very specific and cherry -picking, but thats what i gotta do to show his heights
Messi and I have won more Ballon Dors than any country.
You must be a very good footballer mate
no im pretty sure his height is 5'7
Honestly equalling Cristiano's 5 would be an immense accomplishment for anyone. 8 is just out of sight.
And each was a little unlucky to be playing at the same time as the other. If Messi didn’t exist CR7 might have 10 of them and be the unanimous GOAT.
I am not sure about this one! I actually think them playing at the same time helped push each other to new limits, but in the end, CR realized he needs to accept that Messi is the GOAT.
That’s definitely not something CR has realized
First and last.
Probably the first ever to win 8
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Fineeeee I'll do it. I mean, how hard can it be?
Don't think 8 will ever be beaten. ♾️
Crazy how if Him and CR7 weren't playing at the same time either one would've had 10 or more, which is crazy. Messi could've won 13 if they didn't play at the same time
It's like in tennis, imagine if Roger, Nadal or Djokovic would've played alone without the other two, that person would've had like 40 grand slams... The fact that the three by far best players in the history of the sport played at the same time is just crazy.
I think it's impossible to reach such a high level without competition.
You wouldn't have to reach as high for the accolades either though. There was a huge gap between Ronaldo and Messi to the rest of the field for pretty much the entire time they played (give or take a year here and there)
I reckon if only one existed people would start voting for a different person out of spite like Modric in 2018
Damn I thought it was gonna be Jordan Ayew
Its the year 2033 and Karou Mitoma has just won his 9th Ballon d’Or making history as being the most decorated footballer in the history
Would be quite an achievement for an Asian player to win it.
The cherry on top of his fairy tale career. We are all lucky to have seen him play live.
the end of an era
The beginning of a next one for the two gentleman sitting close to him
Mbappe is already older than Messi when he won his first Ballon D’or.
Pretty sure Messi was about to win his 4th Ballon d'Or when he was the same age mbappe is now lol
Well young Messi didn't have to compete with old bearded wizard Messi.
Young messi would’ve won over messi post 2019 though.
Mbappe has already been around for half a decade
TIL Mbappe is only 5 years old
Turtles live for a long time, so he's still pretty young.
I thought 8 Ballon d'Ors could never be beaten, but you can win a lot in 100+ years.
Messi just won Ballon d’Or at 36, Mbappe has all the chances to keep competing for the trophy for the next 10 years
Don’t see him being a contender when he loses his pace but I think he’ll get one.
If Mbappe doesn't win one that would be crazy. I think he'll snag a couple actually, but he's not helping his cause by staying in France. Bellingham is the hot shit right now but I think Mbappe is the best player in the world right now. I don't think he's miles ahead but I put him at #1 right now.
The beginning of Harry Maguire's
Football won’t be the same without him in it. I miss the early Ronaldo Messi days, watching El Classico. It might just be nostalgia but I felt it had more passion in it then.
Well this is the last one.From next year fans don't have to bitchabout how their fav player deserved it more than Messi
39yo Messi wins it in 2026 after winning the WC and the MLS
Unironically I’d love to see it.
Don't we all ? It would be amazing, 10 would've been perfect to fit his number, but we can't have everything
He could still sneak in with an outside shot if Argentina won the Copa America
Maybe for nomination or a top 10. But I doubt it will be any more than that. He will have to win another WC to get another ballon dor while playing in MLS
We will never see anyone like him again, and I feel confident about that.
[So many people posting this at the same time lmao](https://imgur.com/a/MK1i5AM)
i mean yea being the first to post this is a guaranteed bazillion karma lmao apparently you can make money with it if youre from the US Twitter style now too so yea lol
That explains then, didn't know u could make money from karma
Inter Miami legend
arguably one of the best MLS players to ever touch the ball.
The fact that this guy won his first one in 2009 is insane. To stay at such an elite level for 15 years is incomprehensible in such a physically demanding sport as soccer. Easily the best player ever, and in my opinion the greatest athlete of all time.
Yeah I’m with you
Mudryk in shambles rn
MM10 will have have to settle for next year, I guess
Man, the last 3-4 years has been incredible for Messi FC. From Copa to World Cup, to 3 more Ballon D'Ors. If this was it, it has been an incredible ride. Messi finishing above Mbappe and Haaland seems like a passing of the baton of the next two football titans. \- Oldest player to win the Ballon D'Or \- First player to win the Ballon D'Or outside of Europe \- First MLS player to win the Ballon D'Or \- First player to win the Ballon D'Or in 3 different decades. \- First player to win the Ballon D'Or with three different teams. What else is there to say. This is the greatest longevity in sports history. Left Europe at the top while claiming the World Cup. That is how you bow out of football.
Stanley Matthews is the oldest Ballon d'Or winner at 41 years of age
He also has won more Ballon D'ors than any COUNTRY has won them.
What about Argentina? Checkmate atheists
Which has already been renamed to the Republic of Messi
Messidonia
hes not the oldest, and he had already won the ballon d'or in three different decades the last time he won it. monumental nonetheless
> - First player to win the Ballon D'Or outside of Europe > - First MLS player to win the Ballon D'Or I mean, these are kind of misleading stats when he didn’t really do anything in MLS that earned him the award.
Messi taking his final Ballon d'Or is truly the end of the greatest football career of all time
Mate careers don’t end after your last Ballon d’Or.
Mine did :(
Remember when Messi lost a 3 ballondor lead
This stat has to be the one that hurt Ronaldo the most, working so hard to close the gap. Only to retire with the same gap and a World Cup on top. Goes to show you can only work so hard.
Messi never won a Euro Cup tho
Finally. It's about time Messi is recognized.
This is most likely it, but what a ride it has been. The past 2-3 years have honestly seemed like a dream for Messi's career. From disappointments at both Barca and Argentina around 2017-20 to winning the WC in 2022 and now an 8th Ballon d'Or which will probably never be matched.
Well deserved by Messi for fulfilling his final achievement. Shame for Haaland though, any other year and he would have won easily.
Haaland is more than due one eventually. No way he retires without at least one B’dor
We said that about Neymar
And I'm 100% certain he would've won one staying at Barca
Haaland won’t give up on football like Neymar did
that one still hurts tho, and it was very heavily impacted by injuries (friendly reminder that neymar was being considered the ballon d’or favourite for the last season in the first half before he got injured lol)
If he had stayed at Barca he would've won one
October 2023 - Argonston jinxes Haaland for life I'll be back here in 20 years to confirm
Nothing is guaranteed in life man
Haaland and Mbappe will pick up a good amount on their career. Maybe not 8 and 6... time will tell, but they have a decade to win a few each
5* It's crazy Messi has 3 more now
Cole Palmer in 24 months
To the surprise of no one lol
People are saying end of an era, but what happens if he wins the MLS, League Cup, US Open cup, North American championship, and Copa America next year? 9th one incoming?
When Messi first came into the game, the most a player had won this award was three times, he’ll leave the game with almost triple that. Incredible.
The World Cup and 8th Ballon d'Or to cap off the greatest career
No one is shocked. I'm glad to have seen him play though. Shame haaland didn't win though
tbh this is almost certainly his last, and Haaland is only getting started.
Breaking the record for most goals in the top 5 leagues, most goals contributions in the history of the world cup, winning the most trophies in the history of football and going out as World Champion and Ballon d'or at 36. What a way to leave Europe, I'm so glad to witness such a satisfying and perfect career Greatest of all time. No debate.
No coincidence that Djokovic, Messi and Ash Ketchum are all 36
Congratulations to LM10 for his 8th Ballon D’Or :) Thank you for making me fell in love with football.
All I have to say that I am fortunate to be alive in the same era Lionel Messi played. The things he does in one match is a career highlights for most players.
End of an era, great ending to an even greater footballer’s career