Lionel Messi won the Ballon d’Or for the 8th time in his successful career proving once again why he is the GOAT. Ronaldinho, another legend from FC Barcelona who shared the field with Messi when he started playing for the club was happy for the Argentinian star to receive one of the greatest accolades in soccer.
By winning the World Cup, Messi proved he was the best in the game, however, with his 8th trophy, he put the last nail in the coffin of the once-contended professional debate to determine who was the best between Cristiano Ronald and Leo, at some point, Messi and Ronaldo were tied, however, that is long gone, as Ronaldo has only won 5 so far.
One of those who congratulated Messi after his eighth Ballon d’Or is the Brazilian idol and Barcelona legend, Ronaldinho, who has a particular history and friendship with the GOAT.
Ronaldinho’s heartfelt words to Messi
Ronaldinho, who also won the award in 2005, congratulated Messi on this great feat taking to Instagram to let the world know about how proud he is of his former teammate.
“Congratulations Leo Messi, once again the best in the world!!!! Very happy for you my brother… big hug“
Ronaldinho’s Ballon d’Or sweet-n-sour story
Back in 2004, Ronaldinho came third in the Ballon d’Or voting, and the trophy went to AC Milan’s Andriy Shevchenko, leaving both FC Barcelona’s Deco and Ronaldinho in second and third.
Next year, Ronaldinho was awarded the Ballon d’Or after winning LaLiga with FC Barcelona, leaving behind Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard.
Ballon d’Or 2023 voting
Lionel Messi beat Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, who came in second place, and Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappé, who came in third.
In the days before the results were known, it had been leaked that Messi had indeed been chosen as the winner of the Ballon d’Or 2023, which was eventually confirmed.
Read More: World News | Entertainment News | Celeb News
Marca
