New Delhi: Lionel Messi was honoured with ‘Baton of Football’ by the America football governing organisation, CONMEBOL on March 27 at the South American Federation’s Museum.
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CONMEBOL honour Messi
Paris Saint-German forward Lionel Messi finally laid his hand on the World Cup trophy and finally stepped outside the shadow of Argentina’s legend Diego Maradona. After the World Cup triumph against and France in the final and 2023 Ballon d’Or winner was honoured by South America football governing organisation, CONMEBOL; a life-sized statue of Messi holding the World Cup was also made in his honour.
“In the name of South American and world football, today we give you leadership and command of world football.”
The president of CONMEBOL honors Lionel Messi with the ‘baton of football’ ⚽ pic.twitter.com/ufd30KpxiK
— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 28, 2023
The 35-year-old footballer shared photos from the event on his Instagram page on Monday.
Messi receives replicas of award
Messi also received replicas of the World Cup and the Finalissima trophy, which Argentina won against Italy, during the ceremony before the Copa Libertadores draw. His teammates and coach Lionel Scaloni received miniature trophies as well, including that of the 2021 Copa America lifted in Brazil.
Messi emotional speech
Messi expressed his love for the the country and how Argentina’s people welcomed him after the World Cup victory.
“I keep these cups in the museum at home. Thanks to Conmebol for this tribute to us and to Sole for the theme, we listen to it a lot and it reminds me of when she sang it to Diego. We are living very beautiful moments, we were lucky to return to Argentina after the World Cup and we received many expressions of affection. It was different, that’s how the people of Argentina show it ,” He added.
At the last Messi thanked God for what he achieved in the football.
“In many parts of the world they were happy for us. The last thing I want to say is that beyond the love that this group receives, I think we are still not aware of what it means. We think about what is coming and Not what we did, this is for life. I’m fulfilled with this, it was what I was missing. Thank God I got everything in football,” Messi ended.
