"I follow Barça, I always have and I will continue to do so. It is the club that I love and will love for the rest of my life." Word from Leo Messi, who, 14 years after winning his first Ballon d'Or, lifted the eighth in Paris thanks to the World Cup he won with Argentina. The image of that Messi of 2009 when he conquered the first is far away. "I dedicate it to my family, my brothers and my team," he said then in a short ten-second speech, dressed in a tie and a low-cut gray suit, with long hair and no beard. Fourteen years later the styling has improved. But what caught the most attention was the tone of the speech, which included a declaration of love for the club of his life. "It was very good. It seems that a weight has been lifted", acknowledged surprised Barcelona sources.
Messi left for PSG in the summer of 2021. He never expressed himself like that during his stay in the French capital. "My two years here were not the expected", he admitted. In Paris he understood that, outside the house, it is very cold. Especially when you don't want to leave. After the incidents he had with the Parisian fans, who came to threaten him several times, Messi did not even spend the night in the city after the Ballon d'Or gala. He arrived there on Monday, and as soon as the lights were paid for, he returned to Miami with his family. His children went to school and he arrived at Inter's morning training. The team welcomed him with applause, a walk of honor and a huge golden number 8. "I was lucky enough to win many Ballons d'Or because at Barça I achieved everything in the club field. The last two are thanks to the selection", he recalled in the press conference after the award ceremony.
After winning the World Cup, Messi no longer has any pending accounts. At least sports. But he does have others. The nostalgic ones. He would like to return to Barcelona to say goodbye to his club and his fans. "It's my house. I don't see myself as a coach but who knows if in another role", he revealed. He has a thorn in his side: “I think it was a strange feeling when I left. I deserve to be able to say goodbye to people. If the tribute is made I will be delighted to be there". He was listened to attentively by President Joan Laporta, who was in Paris to accompany Aitana Bonmatí. There was, however, no greeting or exchange of words between the crack and Laporta. Nor at the Imperial Hotel, where they stayed before the gala." They will find time to talk about everything. The gala was not the place", pointed out club sources. Messi confirmed on social media that there had been no meeting.
And the tribute? The board plans to speak with the player's father and representative, Jorge Messi, to close dates for 2024, when, according to the contracts signed with Limak, the new stadium can be opened with 60% of capacity. The Laporta board does not consider that the tribute will be in 2026, when, if the plan is met, the new Camp Nou can open with 100% of capacity. "There is too much left", they point out. Laporta's term ends in 2025 and, after the traumatic departure of Messi, it seems logical to think that Laporta wants to be in the picture. It remains to be seen if the predisposition of Messi, who ended up disgusted with Laporta, is the same.
Messi left the gala smiling. And he was photographed with Bonmatí. "Congratulations on your first Ballon d'Or", joked the midfielder, a great admirer of the Barça of Messi, Xavi and Iniesta. "As Aitana said, I was lucky to be in the best team in history", said Messi. 12 hours later, with the gala still on his mind and already in Miami, he published a series of images on social networks. There was no missing the photo with the best player in the world. From Barcelona, Xavi Hernández, Messi's friend and ex-teammate, applauded the Argentine's words. And he congratulated him with a message. Messi answered him. The relationship is very good.
"I think this is my last Ballon d'Or", confessed Messi to France Football. He said it with the smile of one who has won everything.
