Leo Messi has turned the Chatelet theater in Paris almost into an extraterritorial bastion of Argentine sovereignty, the same thing that Rafael Nadal has done for Spain with the Philippe Chatrier stadium in the Roland Garros complex. The former Barcelona player was crowned yesterday, for the eighth time, as the best footballer in the world. His primacy among his generation mates is even more unquestionable.
The hosts of the Ballon d'Or evening tried to maintain some excitement for the television audience of 300 million people, although it became too obvious who was chosen. As on previous occasions, Messi appeared accompanied by his wife, Antonela, and his three children, all impeccable. Another family party. Another photograph for history.
The paradoxical thing about Messi's long reign at the Chatelet is that it does not correspond to the sympathy he arouses among the French fans, especially those of PSG. The Argentine spent two discreet years at the Parisian club, without achieving the goal for which they signed him: winning the Champions League. He never seemed too happy here, neither on the team nor in the city.
The current Inter Miami player received the award at an evening in which three legends who disappeared this year were honored: Bobby Charlton, Pelé and Luis Suárez.
The trophies arrived this time by boat, along the Seine, in a nod to the world to remember that Paris is organizing the next Olympic Games, next year, and that the inaugural parade of the delegations will be on barges, along the river.
After receiving the trophy from David Beckham, his boss at Inter Miami, Messi immediately said he wanted to share the award with the Argentine national team players, some of whom were in the theater. “It is a gift for the entire group,” highlighted the winner. “The important awards are the collective ones,” he added.
The former Barça number 10 beat Haaland, who came second, and Mbappé, third. The one who had it the worst was the Frenchman, with a very serious face throughout the evening.
Several times the presenters asked the Argentine striker how much longer he would remain active. He insisted that he planned to continue playing for a few years yet. “I don't know if I have a lot or a little left, but I want to continue enjoying it; whatever it gives,” he noted.
Messi wanted to pay tribute to Maradona, since yesterday would have been his birthday. It was the most emotional moment in a ceremony in which the winner acknowledged that he was no longer as nervous as the first time, in 2009. “I became more relaxed,” he admitted. I feel much looser and calmer.”
The world title achieved in Qatar was mentioned several times by Messi. Obtaining it was his obsession, as an athlete and as an Argentine. And without him, obviously, he would not have his eighth Ballon d'Or.
In the videos that were projected, the player's career was reviewed, from his games as a child in Rosario to his long period at Barça. There were also some disappointments, such as his defeats with the Argentine team, including a red card.
Messi did not forget to mention Barça when explaining the success of his career. “As Aitana has already said, I was lucky to be in the best club, in the best team in history,” he recalled. However, there was not – at least during the ceremony – a single mention of PSG and his two years spent in Paris, which seemed quite strange given the setting. The presenters also did not want to ask him so that he would not feel uncomfortable. Messi, indeed, reigns in the Chatelet theater, but not in the Parc des Princes, a bittersweet memory in the extraordinary career of the best footballer in history.
