2023-11-02 23:57:00
Aitana Bonmatí recounted the fun encounter she had with the Argentine at the ceremony
The presence of Lionel Messi revolutionized the awarding of the Ballon d’Or in Paris after his time at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). The emblem of the Argentine national team won the eighth award of his career after being world champion in Qatar and starred in a fun moment with the soccer player awarded with this trophy in the women’s branch.
Aitana Bonmatí shares origins with Leo, since they made their debuts in Barcelona after following their path at La Masía. The midfielder, only 25 years old, won the Women’s World Cup with Spain last season. Furthermore, her preponderance in Blaugrana’s consecrations in La Liga and the Champions League catapulted her to the capital of France. The duo was able to share different moments up and down the stage and, in a conversation with the newspaper Sport, the renowned footballer: “Being next to Messi was something unique.”
In an extensive report, the best player of the 2022/23 season chosen by UEFA recalled one of the treasured moments of her minutes with La Pulga. Journalist María Tikas asked her what was the dialogue she established with the Argentine. That mention provoked a quick smile from Bonmatí, who revealed an unknown gesture from the Inter Miami representative: “Yes, yes. He told me: ‘Congratulations on your first Ballon d’Or.’”
“It’s super close, we were also talking before going on stage, because he was behind me,” he added about the moment before a segment of the event that had different shortlists to decorate the best exponents of the sport. Regarding this, the offensive midfielder said: “You are there with the ‘crème de la crème’ of football and you even feel a little out of place.”
Aitana Bonmatí and Leo Messi, Ballon d’Or 2023 (Golden Ball)
The also winner of the Ballon d’Or in the World Cup held this year in Australia and New Zealand praised the fact of belonging to the Lower Divisions of the Culé team, like Lionel Messi: “It is a world-renowned club. Carrying this shield to the highest level is a pride and a privilege. I have been here for twelve years, I arrived when I was 13 and now I am 25. Everything has happened very quickly, we have experienced many things, we have won many titles, I have grown, I have established myself… And it is an honor to be recognized as a player who “He has been trained here and has grown together with the club.”
In this sense, he thanked the affectionate messages received at such an important moment in his life: “This is super special, everyone is important, but having your childhood idols like Xavi, Iniesta or Puyol congratulate you is especially exciting.”
After having the best season of her career, Aitana Bonmatí looks ahead: “It is true that this year is going to be marked in history. But now we are going for more. It is very difficult, but not impossible to do a season like this again on a group and individual level.” “The day I stop being ambitious may be the time to leave football. I still have the same hunger to win,” he stated.
On the other hand, Lionel Messi broke all records by winning the distinction again after winning the nominations in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019 and 2021. His speech had nods to Diego Maradona, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé: “First of all I want to thank all the people who voted for me and made me the winner of this award. I want to share it with all my teammates on the Argentine team. This award comes hand in hand with what I achieved with the National Team.”
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