Lionel Messi Honored by the Argentine Football Association (AFA) before World Cup Qualifying Match against Uruguay. Immediately prior to Argentina’s World Cup qualifying match against Uruguay, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) presented Lionel Messi with an award in recognition of his record-breаking eighth Ballon d’Or achievement.
As Messi stepped onto the field at La Bombonera, the passionate supporters who had gathered to watch the reigning World Cup champions’ quest for a spot in the 2026 event erupted in cheers. Messi was the first player to make his way onto the pitch.
Former Boca Juniors teammate and current vice president Juan Roman Riquelme extended his warmest greetings to him, as did Claudio Tapia, the president of the Argentine Football Association. After greeting both of them, Messi was given a plaque enclosed in a box that displayed a photograph of him wearing the Ballon d’Or.
As a result of these World Cup qualifying matches, Messi’s exciting 2023 season is drawing to a close. After coming down from the high of winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Lionel Messi wasted no time in getting back into action for Paris Saint-Germain upon his return to the team.
Despite having a contentious relationship with Paris Saint-Germain fans, who were furious with the club’s elimination from the Coupe de France and the Champions League title, he was still able to capture the championship with Les Parisiens. At the time when his contract was about to expire in the summer, Messi made the decision to sign with Inter Miami of Major League Soccer. He had been considering his options for the future.
Despite being unsuccessful in the final of the US Open Cup and not qualifying for the MLS Cup playoffs, his summer choice was promptly rewarded with a victory in the Leagues Cup.
