Messi sat on a triumphant plane back to the US, facing the most difficult period of his career
On the morning of October 31, Lionel Messi surpassed Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe to win the 2023 Golden Ball title . However, he is about to face big problems when working with his parent team.
After this year’s Golden Ball awards ceremony ended, instead of staying in France, Messi and his family boarded a plane to return to the US, reuniting with his teammates at Inter Miami Club . Landing safely, the Argentine superstar was welcomed by his close brothers as a hero.
Accordingly, Inter Miami players lined up in two vertical lines and fired fireworks to congratulate when Lionel Messi passed by. The number 8 represents the number of Golden Balls that the 36-year-old player owns, which was also carefully prepared by his teammates to give to him.
After a lively welcome, the Argentine superstar had a short sharing before the players signed the number 8 as a souvenir. According to statistics, Messi is the first name from the American Professional League (MLS) to win the Golden Ball award. Therefore, this title is considered an honor for both the tournament and Inter Miami Club.
The 2023 season has ended for Inter Miami and Messi. However, the team led by coach Tata Martino is expected to have a tour in the near future. Initially, Inter Miami scheduled to compete in China this weekend. However, Daily Mail revealed that this trip was canceled, the team is currently looking for an alternative venue.
When the international series ends in mid-November, the Argentine superstar will go on vacation with his family, lasting until early 2024. The 36-year-old player admitted that he is not used to this.
“I talked to my colleagues about it, how difficult it will be this time without playing. I have never been on vacation for such a long time. It was probably the most difficult moment after I left Europe. Europe” – Messi shared about taking a break from competition because Inter Miami failed to win the American Professional League (MLS) play-off spot.
However, the player who owns 8 Golden Balls affirmed that he is still happy and does not regret deciding to join Inter Miami. He seemed optimistic and thought this would be time for his small family, and thanked David Beckham.
“Take advantage of this moment with my family, enjoy more time in Argentina. It’s something I always wanted and never could because I always had matches after a few days. Enjoy a little about those things right now,” Messi said.
During this long vacation, coach Gerardo Martino’s team will practice until November 17 in Fort Lauderdale (Florida city, USA). After that, Lionel Messi and the Argentina team prepare for the South American qualifiers against Uruguay (November 17) and Brazil (November 22).
In addition, a friendly match in early 2024 for Inter Miami is also being planned when preparing to play against Newell’s Old Boys – the 36-year-old player’s old team in Argentina.
Notably, after winning the 8th Golden Ball in his career, Messi declared that he deserved to have his farewell match for Barca. Accordingly, on the day he was honored in Paris, the Argentine superstar “avoided” mentioning PSG with two incomplete seasons, but once again talked about his love for Barca – the club he affirmed to love throughout his entire life. my life.
In the summer of 2021, Messi had to leave this club in an unexpected way, because President Joan Laporta was behind that shocking decision. Because he was so hurt, during the 2023 Golden Ball awards ceremony, even though the head of the Catalan football team also appeared, he definitely did not greet or meet him once.
Although considered the greatest number 10 at the Nou Camp, the Argentine superstar did not have a proper farewell match with Barca, partly because of the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic. After that, the club also mentioned organizing a tribute match for Messi and recently, Jorge Mas “concluded” the issue that he had promised the 36-year-old player and would do everything possible. for that match to take place.
And in the press conference after the 2023 Golden Ball awards ceremony, Messi himself also expressed that he deserves a proper farewell to Barca fans, where he has been since he was a boy.
“I really wanted to say goodbye to everyone in a different way. I think there’s still a strange feeling when I left. Things weren’t good at all after what we lived and shared together . Barca is my home. I love the club and the people. If such a match takes place, I will be happy to be there…”, the 36-year-old player said.
