Sports
Lionel Messi might win 8th Ballon d’Or
Argentine football star, Lionel Messi has been tipped to win his 8th Ballon d’Or. The news on the internet has caused mixed reactions ahead of the Ballon d’Or 2023 ceremony scheduled to be held at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on Monday, October 30.
Naija Latest Gist understands that the 36-year-old Argentine professional footballer was instrumental in his home country’s triumph at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The news about Messi lifting an eighth Ballon d’Or is coming after the alleged winners for both the male and female awards for 2023 were leaked in the media.
It will be recalled that Messi won his first Ballon d’Or in 2009 with Barcelona. He went on a strick in 2010, 2011, and 2012, after which Cristiano Ronaldo crossed him to win in 2013 and 2014 while at Real Madrid.
Again, Messi won in 2015, with Ronaldo coming forward to win twice in 2016 and 2017 at Real Madrid. Lionel Messi won his sixth Ballon d’Or in 2019 at Barcelona and seventh in 2021 with PSG.
France star, Karim Benzema, however, came on board and won the award in 2022. With the trio mentioned all out of top-tier leagues in the world of Football, Messi is still tipped to win this year’s Ballon d’Or ahead of his peers.
Messi had spent his youth days with Barcelona and later moved to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) before his new contract with Inter Miami in July, captivating the Major League Soccer (MLS) with a series of mesmerizing performances.
Despite missing out on the 2022 accolade, which was awarded to Karim Benzema, reports suggest that Messi has been informed of his victory in the upcoming Ballon d’Or ceremony.
Additionally, according to the Catalan newspaper Sport, Aitana Bonmati, a midfielder for Barcelona, will be announced as the recipient of the female award at the esteemed Chatelet Theater. Bonmati triumphed in the Women’s World Cup with Spain, triumphing over England in a thrilling final held in August.
Messi’s imminent triumph will result in the Ballon d’Or being awarded to a non-European club player for the first time in history and will extend his lead over his eternal rival, Cristiano Ronaldo by three.
It was observed that the Argentine talisman recently faced fierce competition from Manchester City striker, Erling Haaland, and former PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe.
Haaland achieved a remarkable feat last season by scoring 52 goals in 53 games and winning the Treble with City. Mbappe, on the other hand, made a memorable hat-trick in the World Cup final against Messi’s Argentina and performed well during an otherwise disappointing campaign for PSG.
Though, despite being the most decorated footballer in history, Messi has always maintained that he does not attach much importance to the Ballon d’Or. Shortly after joining Inter Miami, co-owned by David Beckham, the Argentine forward explained, “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.”
Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili made a spectacular debut at the Paris 2024 Olympics, delivering an impressive performance in the women’s 200m event.
After a disappointing setback in the women’s 100m, Ofili showcased her resilience by clinching victory in her heat with a new season’s best time of 22.24 seconds on Sunday, August 4. The victory has qualified her for the 2024 Olympics 200m women’s semi-finals which will take place this evening.
Argentine football icon, Lionel Messi, has stressed that he doesn’t care how much movement he makes in a game as people continue to take note of his walking technique.
In recent times, videos of Lionel Messi practically walking while his team are off the ball have kept many football enthusiasts talking. Many believe that it is a technique to prevent being injured, some say he does that because other players are doing the hard work for him.
But in an interview with Clank Media, Lionel Messi who turned 37-year-old earlier today, June 24, 2024, said not running when he is off the ball has been a part of his game from his days at his boyhood club, Newell, in his native country, Argentina.
“When I was at Newell’s, there were two or three times a week we were sent to run around the grounds. I used to hide behind a tree. Running without a ball was never my thing. Heh”, Lionel Messi said.
“I have always been very self-critical. I am the first to know what I do right and what I do wrong. When I walk, I analyse the opponent’s positioning, how we stand when we don’t have the ball, get away from the marker and be able to initiate a counterattack.
“I don’t pay much attention to GPS, statistics or data. I never cared how much I ran in a match.”
Note that Lionel Messi had used his walking technique while off the ball to win virtually everything in world football including 10 La Liga titles, four Champions League, one FIFA World Cup, and a record 8 Ballon d’Or.
In just two matchdays in the ongoing European Championship (Euro 2024), three countries have secured their place in the tournament’s round of 16.
Interestingly, the Three Lions of England and France, seen as the Super favourites to win the Euro 2024, will have to wait until the last day of the group stage to confirm their place.
Earlier today, June 22, 2024, Portugal’s national team, ably led by five-time Ballon d’Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo, defeated Turkey 3-0 to book themselves a place in the round of 16.
Goals from Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, and an own goal from Samet Akaydin made all the difference.
Ronaldo provided an assist for Portugal’s third goal, which was his 7th in the history of the tournament, and the all-time highest in the European Championship.
Recall that Portugal defeated the Czech Republic 2-1 in their opening game in Group F. Hence, the Portuguese side now have 6 points in two games.
Whether or not they beat Georgia in their last group stage game on Wednesday, June 26, the Portuguese side will play in the round of 16. However, they need to win the game to ensure they finish top of Group F.
Other two teams that have already booked themselves a place in the Euro 2024 round of 16 with a game in hand are the hosts, Germany, and Spain.
Germany are topping Group A with 6 points in 2 games, while Spain are topping Group B with 6 points in two games.
-
Entertainment1 year ago“Everybody sha wan trend for this country” – Nigerians react as knacking video of Nengi BBNaija surfaces the internet (Watch)
-
Entertainment1 year ago“My Kpekus might be wide oo but you will enjoy it” – Nigerian lady assures fans on social media as she shows off her Toto (Video)
-
Entertainment1 year ago“She no still change the cloth oo” – Nigerians react as knacking video of Buba Girl surfaces the internet (Watch)
-
Entertainment1 year ago“Omo! Na she dey inside the tape oo” – Nigerians react as knacking video of Destiny Etiko surfaces the internet (Watch)
-
Entertainment1 year ago“Chai! Shakara don end oo” – Nigerians react as new knacking video of Black Chully surfaces the internet (Watch)
-
Entertainment1 year ago“She is a big celebrity now oo” – Nigerians react as knacking video Empress Njamah surfaces the internet (Watch)
-
Entertainment1 year ago“Chai! This one na brotherhood knacking oo” – Nigerians react as kpekus video of Candy Bleakz mistakenly leaks on the internet (Watch)
-
Entertainment1 year ago“I will gift a car to anyone who stays up to 10 minutes on this Kpekus” – Nigerian lady shows Facebook fans her Toto as she challenges those who are ready to kanck it (Video)