Messi: 'I don't value the Ballon d'Or'

On the morning of August 18, Hanoi time, Messi had his first press conference in the US as an Inter Miami player. A reporter thinks he will win the eighth Ballon d'Or this year, after helping Argentina win the World Cup. When this person asked Messi how he felt about that prospect, the Miami captain replied: "This award has the most important meaning in football, from a personal perspective. But I have never considered the Golden Ball important. important, because I only like collective titles."

The 36-year-old superstar added that he is not thinking about the eighth Ballon d'Or. "If I win this award, that's fine, but if I don't, I don't have a problem," he said. "I've won every trophy in football, and now I'm just enjoying every moment on the pitch."

Messi is facing the opportunity to become the player to win the most collective titles in football history, if he helps Inter Miami win the 2023 Leagues Cup. He has 43 titles, one less than Dani Alves. And Miami is about to meet Nashville in the final on the morning of August 20.

Messi also said that he chose to come to Miami because of his family, not just for sports. "Moving from Barca to PSG is relatively complicated, and from PSG to Miami is much easier," he commented. "I come here not only to play football, but also for my daily activities with my family."

Messi scored nine goals in his first six games for Miami, including three superb long-range shots. The kick from 33 meters into the net against Philadelphia on August 16 is his farthest goal in his club career. He is always happy when playing football in the US, celebrating a few times in the style of superheroes of the Marvel cinematic universe, such as God of Thunder, Black Panther or Spider-Man.

"My father and I spend time watching Marvel movies every night, because the kids are still on summer vacation," he said. "The kids have suggested that I celebrate the table in this way, and the four of us will continue to enjoy it."

Messi himself also said that he found joy again, when he went to Miami. He joined PSG in the summer of 2021 because he was forced to leave Barca. During his time in France, he won Ligue 1 twice but stopped in the 1/8 round of the Champions League. At the end of last season, he was even often whistled and booed by the PSG audience. Currently in the US, every goal of the Argentine superstar is often responded to by the entire audience.