Lionel Messi ‘gives away eighth Ballon d’Or trophy’ as fans say ‘legend is an understatement’
LIONEL MESSI is still keeping ties with Barcelona despite his new venture in the MLS.
The global superstar has reportedly donated his eighth Ballon d’Or trophy to the Barcelona Museum.
Messi has won the Ballon d’Or more times than any other player and picked up seven of his eight trophies while playing for Barcelona.
The 36-year-old gifted those seven trophies to his boyhood club who display them inside their museum in the Spanish city.
But despite winning his eighth award while playing for Paris Saint Germain and Inter Miami, it’s claimed Messi has donated the trophy to Barcelona.
A video online appears to show his latest achievement displayed alongside his other trophies inside the museum.
With respected Spanish journalist Miquel Blazquez reporting that Messi has given the award up for his old club to put on show.
However some fans are claiming that the award is actually that of current Barcelona Femeni star and Women’s Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati.
Others have suggested that if it is a gesture from Messi then it is the perfect example of his love for the club where he made almost 800 appearances.
One wrote: “Am I the only one who thinks that calling Messi a legend is an understatement?”
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While another added: “He loves Barcelona with all his heart!”
A third chimed in writing: “It is confirmed that Leo Messi does everything well! GOAT!”
And a fourth joked that the club should rename the Camp Nou after the star.
They wrote: “I’m just waiting for the day that the stadium is named Camp Messi for everything he represents for the club and the history of football.”