Barcelona congratulate Messi on winning his eighth Ballon d’Or: “He has done it again”

Lionel Messi was crowned as the best player in the world for the eighth time last night when he was awarded the Ballon d’Or at the Theatre du Chetelet in Paris.

The award was in recognition of his unbelievable FIFA World Cup with Argentina and the great individual season he enjoyed in Paris.

Yet, a large part of Messi’s speech at the ceremony revolved around a third footballing institution – FC Barcelona.

During his address at the event, he repeatedly reiterated that the Blaugranas were the best club in the world and stressed his time at the club.

“Barça is the best club in the world, in football history. It’s a special club, very different from the rest,” he said as part of the same.

It is clear from his words that the Argentine holds Barcelona in high regard despite his turbulent exit from the club. The love was mutual, for the Azulgranas did not hold back in recognising their ex-captain’s achievements.

“The GOAT has done it again. Eight Ballons d’Or. The Barça family is proud of you, Leo Messi,” the team’s official tweet read.

Messi makes a big statement
As part of the same speech and later in his press conference, Messi spoke in detail about his future and any potential future at Barcelona. While he indirectly ruled out returning as a player, he maintained that he would be linked with the club by other means for sure.

“I would like to say goodbye to the Barça fans in another way. I felt like the sensations weren’t good when I left. I deserve to say goodbye to the people that I shared good and bad times with.”

“One day I’m going to be living in Barcelona, to be close to the club in one way or another. I’m going to be linked to that club and I don’t know what could happen,” he added.