After winning his eighth Ballon d'Or, Lionel Messi emphasized that he is not currently focused on his long-term future, preferring to savour the moment of his remarkable career achievements.
The 36-year-old won the award for his outstanding performances during the previous season, particularly for leading Argentina to victory in the World Cup in Qatar.
Speaking to various media outlets, including AFP, Messi shared his sentiments after collecting the award in Paris.
He said, "The last one I won was also thanks to what we achieved with the Argentine national team in the Copa America (in 2021), but this one is much more special because it comes after we won the World Cup. That is the trophy everyone wants to win the most, and it was a dream come true for me, my teammates and my country."
His pivotal role in Argentina's World Cup triumph helped him leave behind strong contenders like Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, with Haaland finishing as the runner-up and Mbappe in third place. Kevin De Bruyne secured the fourth position.
While Messi's World Cup performance was a milestone, his final season at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) was less impressive. He later left PSG to join Inter Miami in Major League Soccer. However, when asked about the possibility of winning another Ballon d'Or, possibly after the 2026 World Cup, when he will be 39, Messi played down the idea, stating, "I am not thinking about the long-term future. I am just enjoying the day to day at the moment."
Messi also reflected on his two-year stint at PSG, noting that it did not unfold as he initially envisioned when he left Barcelona in 2021.
He acknowledged that despite the football-related disappointments, he cherished his time in the city of Paris, and his family had a deep connection to it.
"It is a spectacular city, and I was lucky to live here. Football-wise it did not go the way I hoped, but I prefer to remember the many good things," Messi remarked.
(With AFP inputs)
