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Already holder of the victory record, Lionel Messi won the seventh Ballon d’Or of his career on Monday in Paris. A new distinction that the Argentine sees as a reward after winning his first trophy with Argentina last summer. “I was able to achieve my dream after fighting for years and stumbling frequently, I finally got there,” Messi said on the podium, before receiving the trophy from his friend Luis Suarez. “I think I got this trophy thanks to what we managed to do at the Copa America, I dedicate it to my teammates.”
Title holder after his victory in 2019 (the trophy not having been awarded in 2020 because of the coronavirus), the Argentinian did not expect to climb a seventh time on the podium, a few months after his departure from FC Barcelona towards Paris Saint-Germain.
“It’s amazing to be here again. Two years ago, I thought it was my last years and today I’m back in front of you,” he said. “People started to wonder when I was going to retire, and today I’m here in Paris, very happy. I really want to keep fighting and achieve new goals, new goals. don’t know how many years i have ahead of me but i hope there will be a lot because i’m having so much fun this year. “
‘La Pulga’ also had a word for Robert Lewandowski, the other big favorite for the Ballon d’Or. In 2020, the Pole was also the main favorite before the French magazine France Football, which presents the trophy, cancels the presentation of the Ballon d’Or because of the coronavirus. “I wanted to tell Robert that it’s an honor to fight by your side, you deserved it last year. I hope France Football will give it to you because you deserve to have it at home. “
With seven Ballon d’Or on the clock, Messi now wants to focus on his collective goals with PSG before possibly winning an 8th Ballon d’Or. “I think one thing leads to another. The most important thing is to get there at the collective level, as happened at the Copa America with Argentina. I have to adapt to my new club, my new environment. This trophy gives me a lot of energy. “
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