Ageless Messi still loves the game
Paris – Lionel Messi said he hoped to carry on undimmed by age after claiming a record sixth men’s Ballon d’Or award at the age of 32 on Monday, while USA World Cup superstar Megan Rapinoe took the women’s prize.
Rapinoe was not at the Chatelet Theatre in the French capital, unable to make the trip back to the country where she led the USA to victory in July.
However, Messi was there with his wife, Antonella Roccuzzo, and two of their children. It is Messi’s first Ballon d’Or since 2015 and his sixth overall as he moves one ahead of old rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
“It is 10 years since I won my first Ballon d’Or here in Paris and I remember coming here with my three brothers, I was 22 and it was all unthinkable for me what I was going through,” Messi said on stage after receiving the award from last year’s winner Luka Modric.
“I hope I have several years left to keep enjoying my football. I am aware of the age I am and these moments are all the more enjoyable because the moment when I have to retire is getting closer and that is difficult.
“All going well I’ll have several years left but at the moment time seems to be flying and everything is happening very quickly.
“I hope to keep enjoying my football, my family, facing my rivals and all of this life that I have.”
It is the first time since 2010 that Ronaldo has failed to rank in the top two.
Messi has scored 46 goals in 54 matches so far in 2019, and netted 36 times in total in 34 La Liga matches last season as Barcelona won the title.
He did not enjoy a successful Copa America with Argentina but was also the top scorer in last season’s Champions League with 12 goals.
As if any reminder of his brilliance were required, on Sunday he scored a wonderful late winner for Barcelona against Atletico Madrid.