Lionel Messi He received, in an event organized by the Spanish newspaper Marca, an award for his extraordinary career; The star was awarded a distinction for being the most successful player in history, after winning the MLS Supporter’s Shield with Inter Miami and reach the figure of 46 official titles. The Argentine, present at the Chase Stadium in Miami, starred in an interview where he was asked about his present and future, both in Inter Miami and in the Argentine National Team.
Leo arrived at the award ceremony with his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and, after personalities involved with Marca and the event, praised him, he went up on stage to be honored with the “America Ward, tribute to Leo” .
An emotional video as a summary of his career had been prepared by the newspaper for the moment of the recognition. Almost three minutes of compactness covered their titles in clubs and with Argentina; goals from dribbles and his unmatched precision in free kicks.
Messi received, to add to his incomparable collection, the Marca Award, designed in a successful way since, at first glance, it is possible to recognize who was reflected in it; The trophy is a replica of the 10 celebrating a goal to the sky. Carlos Benavídez was the author of the statuette.
“I take this opportunity to thank you and Marca for this award. We have a relationship for years. As I just said, they were very good in choosing an Argentinian and a Catalan. They are my two homes, where we went and are happy with my family. And now we have to be in another place where we are very happy. A very nice stage of our life,” he mentioned, already with the trophy in his hands, upon receiving the microphone.
“I saw photos of my first trophy as a child, but I don’t remember it. Surely, like some of my children, I was not aware of everything that was going to come. I enjoyed football from a very young age. It is my passion,” he added.
“I do not count titles. Above all, the individual. It was spectacular to see the video. A lot of things are going through my head. We have also gone through difficult times. Not everything is pretty. The disappointments helped me grow,” he clarified in front of the video presented and behind the glory that was shown in it.
“Our children are going to reproach me for not being here. Now they understand everything. I love what I do. I enjoy being on the field. The other day I enjoyed the Monumental chanting my name and that is the best. I have fought a lot for this moment to arrive and I enjoy it more than ever. When the end approaches… one values many more things. Coming here was not a retreat. It was to make a very new club great. “We are close to continuing to win titles,” he mentioned about his latest trips and enjoyment, both with the Inter Miami squad and with Argentina with the qualifying dates heading to the World Cup 2026.
The event is on the agenda of all Argentines, but the anxiety to know if Leo will have the pleasure of being part of it has eaten away at the conscience of the fan since the end of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where the star shone and took off his thorn of Brazil 2014.
“I always said that things happen for a reason and I never get ahead of events. I live the day. When the time comes to go to the World Cup… we’ll see. I hope I can continue performing at this level. When I feel good and enjoy… I am happy. But I don’t set my goal to get there. “I go day by day,” he answered when asked about his pending decision regarding the next World Cup.
Then he added: “Thank God, I fulfilled all my dreams. More than what I had when I was little. I was able to achieve the biggest dream, which is to win a World Cup. “I won a lot in the club of my life, Barcelona, also in Paris, Inter… And we will continue fighting.”.
After receiving the award, in the background, a huge painting of him, in the Argentine National Team, was placed with a national flag extended in his hands. Javier Tortosa, one of the creators of the artwork, explained about it: “We wanted to make a piece that transcended transcendence. We wanted to reflect the family theme. The work reflects how you embrace the world… and how the world embraces you. you”.
The award and the painting, both portraits of the Argentine star. (EFE/ Eva Marie Uzcátegui)