LIONEL MESSI was asked if he is the greatest footballer of all-time after picking up his eighth Ballon d’Or.
The 36-year-old was crowned the best player of the year once again during a star-studded ceremony in Paris last night.
His World Cup winning exploits with Argentina in Qatar last year saw him edge Manchester City striker Erling Haaland and PSG star Kylian Mbappe to the award.
Messi has claimed the Ballon d’Or eight times in his career and his GOAT rival Cristiano Ronaldo now trails behind on five.
The Al-Nassr star missed out on nomination this year.
Following the presentation of the accolade, Messi was asked if he is the best to ever grace the beautiful game.
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But the humble icon refused to be drawn into an answer, saying: “I don’t know if I’m the best.
“I don’t ask myself the question and it doesn’t interest me.
“The fact that they say that I am one of the best is already an honour.
“All children want to play football and try to be one of the best.”
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With the Barcelona hero now playing for Inter Miami and with him nearing an age where he might decide to hang up his boots, Messi revealed he expects Haaland and Mbappe to battle for the Ballon d’Or many times in the future.
He said: “It’s going to be a nice fight between the two of them and between several other younger players around here.
“They both deserved it this year, Erling, this could have been yours and it would have felt perfect.”
Messi also admitted that he will love Barcelona his “whole life” despite his Nou Camp return not materialising after he left PSG.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
