Leo Messi has turned the Chatelet theater in Paris almost into an extraterritorial bastion of Argentine sovereignty, the same as Rafael Nadal has done for Spain with the Philippe Chatrier stadium in the Roland Garros complex. The ex-Barcelona player was crowned yesterday, for the eighth time, as the best footballer in the world. Its primacy among its peers is even more unquestionable.
The hosts of the Ballon d'Or evening tried to keep the excitement going for the television audience of 300 million people, even though it was all too obvious who was the chosen one. As on previous occasions, Messi appeared accompanied by his wife, Antonela, and their three children, all impeccable. Another family party. Another photograph for history.
The most paradoxical thing about Messi's long reign at the Chatelet is that it does not correspond with the sympathy he arouses among the French fans, especially those of PSG. The Argentine spent two discreet years at the Parisian club and did not achieve the goal for which they signed him: winning the Champions League. He was never seen very happy, neither in the team nor in the city.
Today the Inter Miami player received the award in 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, winking at the world to remind them that Paris is organizing the next Olympic Games, next year, and that the inaugural parade of the delegations will be in boats, 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 Argentina national team players, some of whom were in the theatre. "It's a gift for the whole group", emphasized the winner. "The important prizes are the collectives", he added.
The former number 10 of Barça prevailed over Håland, who finished second, and Mbappé, third. The one who took it worst was the French, with a very serious air throughout the evening.
The presenters asked the Argentine striker several times how much longer he will be active. El insisted that he planned to continue playing for a few more years. "I don't know if I have much or little left, but I want to continue enjoying it; as much as I can", he pointed out.
Messi wanted to honor Maradona, as yesterday would have been his birthday. It was the most emotional moment in a ceremony in which the winner admitted that he was no longer as nervous as the first time, in 2009. "I've been letting myself go more - he admitted -. I feel much calmer and calmer."
The world title won in Qatar was mentioned several times by Messi. Obtaining it was his obsession, as an athlete and as an Argentine. And without the World Cup, obviously, he wouldn't have his eighth Ballon d'Or.
In the videos that were shown, the player's career was reviewed, from his childhood games in Rosario to his long time at Barça. There were also some disappointments, such as his defeats with the Argentine national 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 at the best club, the best team in history", he recalled. There was, on the other hand – at least during the ceremony – not a single mention of PSG or his two years in Paris, which seemed very strange considering the setting. The presenters also didn't want to ask him about this stage so he wouldn't feel uncomfortable. Messi, indeed, reigns at the Chatelet Theatre, but not at the Parc dels Prínceps, a bittersweet memory in the extraordinary career of the best footballer in history.
