Messi was named 'World Football Manager'

On the evening of March 27, the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) held an honorary ceremony named "Night of the Stars", in the capital Asuncion in Paraguay. During the gala, the organizers drew the group of South American Cups - Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana. But most of the time of the ceremony was spent paying tribute to the Argentina team that won the 2022 World Cup. It was the first time in 20 years that a South American representative won the World Cup.

In the morning of the same day, the Argentina team practiced in Buenos Aires, then flew to Asuncion in the afternoon. Here, CONMEBOL announced a new life-sized statue of Messi, wearing an Argentina shirt and holding a gold cup. President Conmebol Dominguez also handed Messi a stick and said: "On behalf of South American football and the world, I give you the baton that symbolizes the leader and commander of world football."

Messi said that the awards he received were too many, because he did not think about them when he was a child. "I never thought or dreamed of things like this," the Argentinian official said. "My dream is simply to do what I loved to do when I was a kid and play football. I've always tried to improve myself and it's been a long process to get here. I've had a lot of setbacks, but I'm always looking forward. first, aim to win. Fight for your dream, enjoy your passion and anything is possible."

Also in the gala, President of the Argentine Football Federation Claudio Tapia was awarded the number one football manager in South America. Coach Lionel Scaloni is like a professor, when he brings pride to the whole continent. "This victory is not only for Argentina, but for the whole of South America who supported us," Scaloni said.

Mr. Dominguez also joked with Messi that the only title he was missing was the Copa Libertadores championship. He hinted that the 36-year-old superstar should play for a South American club before retiring.

After the gala, the Argentina team returned to Buenos Aires to prepare to meet Curacao in a friendly match in the city of Santiago del Estero on the evening of March 28. Messi is aiming for his 100th goal for the team, when he has 99 goals.