LIONEL MESSI may have picked up a record sixth Ballon d’Or last night but it was his son Mateo that stole the show.
The Argentine created history by picking up the golden gong in Paris ahead of Virgil van Dijk and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Mateo was delighted to see his dad win the Ballon d’OrCredit: Ballon D’Or
Mateo had a huge grin on his face after Messi’s name was called outCredit: Ballon D’Or
Hundreds of big names attended the event to see the Barcelona superstar named the best player in 2019.
And no one looked happier than four-year-old Mateo after the results were delivered.
When Messi’s name was called out for a sixth time in his career, the cameras panned to Mateo who was bouncing for joy in his chair.
He warmed the hearts of those watching with a huge grin on his face and he turned towards an older boy believed to Messi’s nephew, Augustin.
Then he turned his attention to his seven-year-old brother Thiago and gave him a hug with wife Antonella Roccuzzo watching on.
Messi has three children with Antonella, with the youngest Ciro born last year.
Augustin is the son of his brother Rodrigo.
It was all smiles for the Argentine’s happy family last night but it could have panned out so differently after the results revealed just how close Van Dijk came to winning the award.
The Liverpool defender was just seven points away from Messi’s 686 points, that is determined by votes from 176 international journalists.
Each journalist has to pick their top three with a point system of five for their best, three for second and one for third.
Messi said on his award: “Ten years ago I received my first Ballon d’Or, guided by my three brothers.
“And today I receive my sixth, guided by my wife and children.
“As my wife explained, you must never stop dreaming but always work to improve and continue to enjoy. I am very lucky, I am blessed.”
Mateo then turned towards brother Thiago and hugs himCredit: Ballon D’Or
His wife Antonella watched on while sitting on the endCredit: Ballon D’Or
Lionel Messi celebrated the award with wife Antonella and children Mateo and ThiagoCredit: Reuters
Lionel Messi says that winning the Ballon d’Or award for a record sixth time is unimaginable
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
