![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/lionel-messis-view-on-ballon-dor-has-changed-completely-after-cristiano-ronaldo-rivalry/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/0_GettyImages-504553844.jpg&description=Lionel Messi is on course for an eighth Ballon d'Or to add to his collection, putting him well clear of Cristiano Ronaldo, but they have very different views on the importance of the accolade Lionel Messi is an odds-on favourite with the bookmakers to win an eighth Ballon d'Or, but the Argentine superstar insists he is not particularly bothered by the individual award as he closes in on his first trophy with Inter Miami. Messi has enjoyed a sensational 12 months, inspiring his country to World Cup glory in Qatar and winning the French title with Paris Saint-Germain before making the move Stateside to play for David Beckham's franchise. With typical style and grace on the pitch, it has been a truly sensational start for the 36-year-old with his new club, scoring nine goals in six games to lead Miami to the final of the Leagues Cup – a trophy contested by Major League Soccer and Liga MX teams during the MLS mid-season break. After yet another memorable year for the Barcelona icon, he is as short as 1/5 with some bookmakers to win the Ballon d'Or ahead of Manchester City's goalscoring machine Erling Haaland. But Messi was philosophical about the prospect on Thursday when he faced the media in Miami for the first time since joining, with Argentina's World Cup triumph only lowering the personal value of individual awards in his eyes. 'I have said it many times, the Ballon d'Or is very important due to the recognition at the individual level, but I never gave it importance, between quotes, the most important thing for me was always the awards at the group level," he said. "I was lucky to have achieved everything in my career and after the World Cup, I'm thinking about that award much less, my biggest award was that and I'm disguising my moment. If it arrives, good, and if not, nothing happens. I was lucky to achieve all my goals in my career and now I have new goals with this club." Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been locked in a huge, yet respectful, rivalry throughout){kind=link}
Lionel Messi is on course for an eighth Ballon d’Or to add to his collection, putting him well clear of Cristiano Ronaldo, but they have very different views on the importance of the accolade
Lionel Messi is an odds-on favourite with the bookmakers to win an eighth Ballon d’Or, but the Argentine superstar insists he is not particularly bothered by the individual award as he closes in on his first trophy with Inter Miami.
Messi has enjoyed a sensational 12 months, inspiring his country to World Cup glory in Qatar and winning the French title with Paris Saint-Germain before making the move Stateside to play for David Beckham’s franchise.
With typical style and grace on the pitch, it has been a truly sensational start for the 36-year-old with his new club, scoring nine goals in six games to lead Miami to the final of the Leagues Cup â a trophy contested by Major League Soccer and Liga MX teams during the MLS mid-season break.
After yet another memorable year for the Barcelona icon, he is as short as 1/5 with some bookmakers to win the Ballon d’Or ahead of Manchester City’s goalscoring machine Erling Haaland. But Messi was philosophical about the prospect on Thursday when he faced the media in Miami for the first time since joining, with Argentina’s World Cup triumph only lowering the personal value of individual awards in his eyes.